It takes more than just the ability to understand two languages.

Professional translators and interpreters have the education, experience, and expertise to understand the nuances in one language and transfer them to another. The right professional will have solid knowledge of your industry and will know how to culturally adapt your content for the target audience you are trying to reach. You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make sure it counts.

Professional translators and interpreters can help you reach more customers, grow your business, and improve your bottom line.

Can I afford to hire a professional?

You can't afford NOT to. Getting your message wrong can cost money, ruin your image, and even cost lives. Whether you’re having a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign translated or need an interpreter to communicate treatment options between a doctor and patient, it pays to hire a professional to get the job done right.

Instead of hiring a professional, this restaurant used machine translation and did not realize the result was an error message.

Understanding what’s at stake

ATA publishes articles to illustrate why it is critical to hire qualified translators and interpreters.

Best Translation Apps: A Translator Puts Four to the Test

By ATA Compass | July 23, 2025

The best apps for translating language? It depends… I’m talking about the kind of apps that can take a sentence- or even document-level input and give you back a translation in the blink of an eye. There are plenty of these free translation apps out there. Maybe you’ve heard of two of the most popular translation apps – Google Translate…

The High Stakes of Legal Interpretation: Why You Need a Certified Court Interpreter in Colorado

By ATA Compass | March 31, 2025

Why accurate legal interpretation matters In the legal system, language accuracy is a matter of justice. Court proceedings rely on precise communication to ensure fair trials, protect defendants’ rights, and uphold due process. Language barriers in court can lead to miscommunication, wrongful convictions, and costly appeals—making the role of a certified court interpreter in Colorado indispensable. In addition, the Civil…

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Language Access: Who, What, How

By ATA Compass | February 18, 2025

What is Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act? The goal of the Affordable Care Act is to expand access to healthcare, especially to underserved and marginalized populations. As part of this goal, this law includes a section that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The prohibition applies to certain covered health…

Video Game Localization: Q&A with Expert Marina Ilari (Part 2)

By ATA Compass | February 11, 2025

Expert game localizer Marina Ilari joins us again to answer more questions about the video game localization process. Read on to learn: What to consider when choosing your localization partner How to increase your game’s impact through localization The keys to success How to avoid the common pitfalls of game localization This is Part 2 of a two-part series. If…

Video Game Localization: Q&A with Expert Marina Ilari (Part 1)

By ATA Compass | February 4, 2025

You’d like gamers around the world to play your video game… but how do you attract international players who speak different languages? Welcome to the world of video game localization! Localizing a video game is about translating and adapting your game for audiences outside your home country. It has proven to be a game changer for game developers and publishers.…

Why Translators & Interpreters with Disabilities Can Make a Difference

By ATA Compass | November 21, 2024

In case you missed it, October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and this year’s official theme was “Access to Good Jobs for All.” So, it’s a good time to pause and consider the impact of hiring professionals, especially those with disabilities.  NDEAM is an initiative of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the U.S. Department of…

Why Hire an ATA Member?

ATA members have a commitment to continuing education and are held to the highest professional standards. Feel secure knowing if you’re hiring an ATA member, you’re hiring the best in the business.

Expertise

ATA plays a crucial role in helping members pursue the knowledge and skills necessary to help clients reach their goals. Through their membership in ATA, translators and interpreters signal the importance they place on professional education in the service of their clients.

Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility

ATA members share a commitment to the ethical business practices that hold their services accountable to the highest possible standards. ATA's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility is the basis for a member's honest, confidential, and responsible interaction with clients.

It’s easy

ATA’s Language Services Directory is the largest of its kind in the world. It’s free to use and lets you customize a search for translators, interpreters, and companies that meet your requirements.

Find a Professional Translator or Interpreter

When you are committed to quality, the language professional you need is an ATA member.

Explore ATA's Client Assistance Resources

Reach new audiences, communicate with confidence, and gain a competitive edge with the help of a language professional.
Client Assistance
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Translator vs. Interpreter: What's the difference?
Translator vs. Interpreter
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ATA offers free guides to help you navigate the process of hiring and working with a professional translator or interpreter.
Buying Language Services
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Want to reach more customers, grow your business, and improve your bottom line? Learn how language professionals can help.
The ATA Compass
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ATA certification is a respected credential, providing evidence of the knowledge and skills necessary to provide a quality translation.
Why Hire an ATA-Certified Translator®?
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What is Machine Translation?
Machine Translation
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ATA's Language Services Directory makes it easy to connect with professional translators and interpreters who are ready to assist you.
Find a Translator or Interpreter Near You
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Discover how professional language services experts can bridge linguistic gaps and facilitate seamless communication.
Exploring Translation and Interpreting Services
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Know Your Rights to Language Access
Know Your Rights to Language Access
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Find the translator or interpreter that meets your needs. Customize your search by language, specialties, location, credentials, and more.
Language Services Directory
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Understand the common uses and requirements of a certified translation and download sample statements.
What is a Certified Translation?
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When it comes to effective communication across languages, the expertise of a certified translator or interpreter can make all the difference.
Why You Should Use a Certified Translator or Interpreter
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If you have an applicant’s certification number, use this tool to verify their certification and language pair(s).
Verify ATA-Certified Translator® Status
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