ATA Savvy Linguist

The Savvy Linguist serves a worldwide community of translators and interpreters who are looking for practical solutions to everyday problems, ideas for growing their business, and support as they achieve their career goals. With high-quality, peer-reviewed content, you will find the answers to the questions you face as an innovative language professional.

From Classroom to First ATA Conference: A New Path

By The Savvy Linguist | September 22, 2026

A New Chapter Begins After completing the Spanish-English Translation Certificate Program at the University of Massachusetts Boston, I felt proud of my progress but uncertain about my next step. I worked as an in-house medical interpreter and translator at a Harvard-affiliated teaching hospital in Boston for nine years. My work taught me to listen closely, think quickly, and communicate with compassion. However, I wanted to build on that experience through medical translation. Soon after graduation, I was selected as one of five recipients of the American Foundation for Translation and Interpretation’s (AFTI) First-Time ATA Conference Attendee Scholarship. The award allowed…

Translator Profile: ATA Past President Ted Wozniak

By The Savvy Linguist | January 11, 2023

Many of you know Ted Wozniak quite well from his many years of dedicated service to ATA…but did you know he essentially worked undercover as a liaison officer for the US Army in Germany? I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ted, and I enjoyed hearing about his colorful professional life as much as I valued his advice for…

How to Use Video to Attract New Clients to Your Website

By The Savvy Linguist | January 10, 2023

This post was originally published on Successful Freelance Translator. It is reposted with permission. Hey, guys! Many of us have personal websites (if no, check one of my posts to learn why you should) and you may wonder how to attract new visitors and convert them into clients. In this posts, I will show you how to use video to attract…

Shiny Object Syndrome

By The Savvy Linguist | December 21, 2022

This post is a reblog, originally published in the Tool Box Journal Newsletter, Issue 22-11-342 on November 23, 2022. It is reposted with permission from the author. Imagine you’re building a house. You’ve poured cement for the basement, you spent weeks constructing the walls, and just as you’re starting to work on the roof… you decide to remodel a shiny…

Mentoring: Get As Much As You Give

By The Savvy Linguist | November 23, 2022

From the Next Level team: Do you remember the first few years of your career in the language industry? Was it smooth sailing, or did you sometimes wish for someone who could give you advice and point you in a new direction? If you’ve ever wanted or had someone to help you find your footing, consider doing the same for…

What to Do With All Those Languages You Speak

By The Savvy Linguist | November 22, 2022

The following is a translation of the post “Traduction: Que faire de toutes ces langues que vous parlez?” (you can read the original via the hyperlink) by Matilda Gascon Delqueux from the blog Master TSM Lille, translated by our very own Kevin L. Hull. Without further ado, here is the translation. Many of us know languages besides those we studied…

In Praise of Touch Typing

By The Savvy Linguist | November 9, 2022

The summer before I entered fourth grade, I was invited to join a special summer program at a local community college. I had the opportunity to choose two classes from a range of offerings and, for reasons I no longer remember, I chose drama and touch typing. The drama class never did me much good; I learned mainly that I…

Using LinkedIn to Research People and Companies

By The Savvy Linguist | October 18, 2022

This post was originally published on Bruce Johnston’s blog. It is reposted with permission. I thought today I would go over an example of the research I would do before talking to a prospect. Here are the steps I take: I will check their company page to see how it matches up with their website and to review all their…

Buddies Welcome Newbies: Starting #ATA63 Off on the Right Foot

By The Savvy Linguist | October 6, 2022

Buddies Welcome Newbies: Starting #ATA63 Off on the Right Foot We’re so excited to welcome you to ATA63 in sunny Los Angeles! This year will be ATA’s first fully in-person conference since Palm Springs, and we can wait to see everyone. If you’ve already attended other in-person conferences this year or if this is your first one, navigating this new…

ATA63 Conference Preview: Business Practices Education at ATA63

By The Savvy Linguist | October 6, 2022

About a week from the time this post appears, the ATA 63rd Annual Conference will be in full swing. Like always, attendees will have opportunities to network with colleagues and potential clients, browse in the Exhibit Hall, exchange dictionaries, exercise, meet candidates for the Board of Directors, and of course, learn as much as they can in just three days.…

Nine Questions from Language Majors on Their Next Steps to Becoming a Translator or Interpreter

By The Savvy Linguist | October 4, 2022

If you are a language major considering your next steps, you’ve come to the right place! The translation and interpreting field is growing rapidly, and ATA is the largest association of its kind in the world. Whether you’re looking to become a successful solopreneur, interpret for the president of the United States, or work at a medical clinic in your…

Recent Posts

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Unlock Your Potential: Join the ATA Mentoring Program

Embracing the Future: Why New Translators and Interpreters Should See AI as an Ally, Not a Threat

A (Former) Boston Local’s List of Things to Check Out Around ATA66

ATA66 Conference Preview: Business Practices Education at ATA66

Independent Contracting from A to Z: Everything Translators & Interpreters Need to Know

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