Skip to content
FacebookTwitterLinkedinYoutubeInstagram
  • Join ATA
  • Renew
  • Contact Us
  • Log In
American Translators Association (ATA)
Find a Language Professional
  • Certification
    • Certification
      • Guide to ATA Certification
      • What is a Certified Translation?
      • How the Exam is Graded
      • Review and Appeal Process
      • Looking for More Information?
    • Taking the Exam
      • About the Exam
      • How to Prepare
      • Practice Test
      • Exam Schedule
    • Already Certified?
      • Put Your Credentials To Work
      • CT Designation and Seal
      • Continuing Education Requirement
    • Register Buttons
      • Exam Schedule
         
      • Order Practice Test
  • Career and Education
    • For Newcomers
      • Student Resources
      • Starting Your Career
      • The Savvy Newcomer Blog
    • For Professionals
      • Growing Your Career
      • Business Strategies
      • Next Level Blog
      • Client Outreach Kit
      • Mentoring
    • Resources
      • For Educators and Trainers
      • Tools and Technology
      • Publications
      • School Outreach
    • Event Buttons
      • Upcoming Webinars
  • Client Assistance
    • Client Resources
      • Why Should I Hire a Professional?
      • Translator vs. Interpreter
      • Getting It Right
    • More Client Resources
      • Need a Certified Translation?
      • What is Machine Translation?
      • The ATA Compass Blog
    • Find a Translator Button
      • Find a Language Professional
  • Events
    • Events
      • Annual Conference
      • Seminars and Workshops
      • Certification Exam Schedule
    • More Events
      • Virtual Events
      • Webinar Series
      • Calendar of Events
    • Event Buttons
      • Visit ATA64
      • Upcoming Webinars
         
  • News
    • Industry News
    • Advocacy and Outreach
    • Press Room
    • The ATA Chronicle
    • The ATA Podcast
    • ATA Newsbriefs
  • Member Center
    • Member Resources
      • Join ATA
      • Renew Your Membership
      • Benefits of Membership
      • Divisions
      • Chapters, Affiliates, and Other Groups
      • Get Involved
      • Shop the ATA Store
    • Already a Member?
      • Log Into Your Member Center
      • Connect with Members
      • Create Your Directory Listing
      • Become a Voting Member
      • Member Discounts
    • Member Buttons
      • Join ATA
         
      • Member Login
  • About Us
    • About ATA
      • Who We Are
      • Press Room
      • Honors and Awards Program
      • Advertise with Us
      • American Foundation for
        Translation and Interpretation
      • ATA Team
      • Contact Us
    • How ATA Works
      • Board of Directors
      • Committees
      • Policies & Procedures
      • Code of Ethics
    • Contact Button
      • Contact ATA
  • Join ATA
  • Renew Your Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Log In
  • Find a Language Professional
May 28, 2019

ATA Adds Its Voice to Language Advocates in Nation's Capital

Advocacy & Outreach
By The ATA Chronicle

The Washington State Delegation visiting Senator Maria Cantwell’s office (from left): Brenda Gaver
(Pacific Northwest Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language), Caitilin Walsh (ATA), Kristin Quinlan
(Certified Languages), and Allison Ferch (Globalization and Localization Association)

Over 160 world language advocates gathered in Washington, DC on February 14–15 to meet with members of Congress for Language Advocacy Day. This annual summit of administrators, business owners, educators, and language industry leaders is organized by the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL), the authority on language policy in Washington, DC. Every year, ATA lends its voice as one of the advocates from the language professions to meet with Congress and request legislation and funding in support of language education and industry priorities. In addition to numerous language educators, several translator and interpreter sister organizations participate in the event.

As ATA’s representative, I was honored to join world language educators PreK–12, researchers, analysts, translators, interpreters, business owners, and other representatives of leading language associations from over 40 states to advocate for America’s language enterprise. A great addition this year were two ATA members who “got the advocacy bug” in 2017, when ATA and JNCL sponsored a Translation and Interpreting Advocacy Day prior to ATA’s 58th Annual Conference in Washington, DC.1

While the focus of legislative requests this year was on budget appropriations, discussions and materials provided to congressional staffers brought translation and interpreting services front and center. Delegates could relate language proficiency to international relations, social justice, economic growth, and national security. ATA’s expertise in the business and government aspects of the language industry are helping cement our place with congressional offices looking to support languages and the vital role they play in the U.S.

I would encourage all ATA members and supporters to sign up to receive policy alerts from JNCL (https://languagepolicy.org). These contain specific actions and templates/scripts you can use to make advocacy easy. Follow #LanguageMatters and @JNCLinfo on Twitter for opportunities to amplify others’ messages. The current political climate means we have a stellar opportunity to make meaningful changes happen for the benefit of all.

Note
  1. “Stepping Out on Capitol Hill: ATA’s First Advocacy Day in Washington, DC,” The ATA Chronicle (January–February 2018), http://bit.ly/ATA-advocacy

Caitilin Walsh is a past president of ATA (2013–2015). She currently serves as chair of ATA’s Education and Pedagogy Committee. She also serves on the executive committee of the Joint National Committee for Languages. An ATA-certified French>English translator, she produces translations for the computer industry and food lovers alike. She is a graduate of Willamette University (Oregon) and the Université de Strasbourg (France). She teaches ethics and business practices at the Translation and Interpreting Institute at Bellevue College. She is a member of the Translation and Interpreting Advisory Committee for the Puget Sound Skills Center. Contact: cwalsh@nwlink.com or @CaitilinWalsh on Twitter.

Share this

Posts navigation

← ATA Advocates on Behalf of Interpreters: Statement Opposing Lower Interpreter Exam Scores in Texas
Statement Opposing Discontinuing Immigration Interpreting Services →

Latest Posts

  • Linguist in the Spotlight – Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo March 21, 2023
  • Newsbriefs: March 15, 2023 March 15, 2023
  • Breaking Intercultural Communication Barriers in Business March 15, 2023
  • Get More Done as a Freelance Translator – How to Plan Your Work and Become More Productive March 15, 2023
  • Continuing Professional Development Reflection: From Translation Student to Freelance Translator March 14, 2023

Topics

  • Advocacy & Outreach
  • Annual Conference
  • Book Reviews
  • Business Strategies
  • Certification Exam
  • Certification Program
  • Client Assistance
  • Educators and Trainers
  • Growing Your Career
  • Industry News
  • Interpreting
  • Member Benefits
  • Member News
  • Mentoring
  • Networking
  • Public Outreach
  • Publications
  • Resources
  • School Outreach
  • Specializations
  • Starting Your Career
  • Student Resources
  • Tools and Technology
  • Translation
Language Services Directory
ata_logo_footer

American Translators Association
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590
Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone +1-703-683-6100
Fax +1-703-683-6122

  • Certification
  • Career and Education
  • Client Assistance
  • Events
  • News
  • Member Center
  • About Us
  • Member Login
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Submit Feedback

© 2023 - American Translators Association

Website by Yoko Co

Find a Language Professional
Scroll To Top