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.
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.
The Value of Human Translation
I’m a technophile. In my very human career field of translation and copywriting, I embrace technology wholeheartedly. I also advocate for it when I teach and mentor others. I think tech skills are just as critical as language skills for a successful career in translation. So I don’t dislike AI. On the contrary, I am fascinated by the promise of…
Read MoreGuide to Buying Interpreting Services, Part I: Finding and Choosing an Interpreter
Interpreters help power the global economy, working with businesses, governments, non-profits and individuals. They are an integral part of global communication. Interpreters work with the spoken or signed word. The American Translators Association (ATA) has developed a Guide to Buying Interpreting Services as a resource to help clients identify, select and work with interpreters. Finding an Interpreter ATA is here…
Read MoreFluent Isn’t Enough: The Value of Trained Educational Interpreters
The importance of hiring professional educational interpreters Supporting families starts with communication. Trained educational interpreters play a key role in making that possible. Schools do a lot with limited resources. When language access becomes a barrier in education, bilingual staff members often step in to help. That is incredibly valuable, but when the conversation is complex, critical aspects could get…
Read MoreBest Translation Apps: A Translator Puts Four to the Test
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…
Read MoreThe High Stakes of Legal Interpretation: Why You Need a Certified Court Interpreter in Colorado
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…
Read MoreSection 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Language Access: Who, What, How
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…
Read MoreWhy 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.
The ATA Compass
Our outreach publication provides up-to-date information and resources about the translating and interpreting industry.
What's the difference?
Translators do the writing. Interpreters do the talking. ATA helps you find the right language professional.
Can't a computer do all this?
There are times when machine translation is useful, and times when it's not. Learn when to use Google Translate, and when to hire a professional.