German Language Division:
2002 Candidate Statements

I grew up in Germany, where I completed my Abitur in 1984. Before settling down in upstate New York, I traveled extensively throughout Latin America and Asia and worked for 3 years as teacher in East Africa. I hold an MA in German and am accredited by the ATA in German to English and English to German translation.  I own and operate One World Language Services, LLC.

I have been the Administrator of the German Division since 2000. In that capacity, I implemented budget savings and worked to make the German program at our conferences broader and more appealing to larger numbers of GLD-members.

If elected, I will continue to work toward the following goals:

• Further relations with other German-speaking translators associations. Our newly established contacts with our colleagues at BDÜ have led to invitations, speaker exchanges and exchange agreements for newsletter content. Our cooperation with Universität Leipzig through newly established contacts looks especially promising and should be pursued further.

• Address new work trends for German translators and interpreters and offer a broad spectrum of professional development opportunities. This will include a GLD-Conference in 2003. 

• Welcome new members to the profession. Set guidelines for those starting out, provide training and support, and communicate high standards of professional conduct. This includes encouraging even more GLD-members to share their experience as mentors through the ATA mentor program. At the same time, the division must strive to offer advanced training opportunities for those who have been working in the field for a long time.

• Cooperate with other language divisions within ATA to foster an understanding of issues that apply to all translators and interpreters, regardless of language pairs. As the Chair of the Divisions Committee, I have had an opportunity to contribute to better communication between elected division officials.

Jutta Diel-Dominique
juttadd@flash.net

Candidate for Assistant Administrator

I had my heart set on a career in translation long before I enrolled at the Department of Applied Linguistics/Translation and Interpretation at the University of the Saarland in Saarbrücken (Germany); and today, looking back on approximately 10 years as a free-lance translator, I am convinced that I could not be happier doing anything else. And because I so enjoy my profession I feel it is of the utmost importance to help and support the profession in any way I can. Therefore, I am honored to have been nominated Assistant Administrator of the German Language Division. Having been a member of the American Translators Association since before I graduated with a Master’s Degree (Diplom) in Technical Translation, I am delighted to now have the opportunity to give something back to our professional organization and – in particular – the German Language Division.

While living in Houston, TX, I was a speaker and presented several presentations for the Houston Interpreters and Translators Association (HITA) and helped organize the First Healthcare and Medical Terminology Seminar for Professional Translators and Interpreters in Houston which was held at the University of Texas Medical School. As the Membership Chair I maintained the database for the local group and organized mailings and notifications. I am familiar with the dynamics of organizations like ours and look forward to applying my knowledge in the interests of the German Language Division. I will strive to support Dorothee Racette, our current Administrator, in her efforts to make this division a lively well-organized and beneficial tool for its members and will continue to serve my colleagues and the profession through my involvement in our organization as well as continuing education and professional development. I would also like to encourage all our members to feel free to contact me if you have any concerns, questions, ideas or recommendations regarding this division of our association. After all, communication forms the basis of every successful organization.