Want to reach more customers, grow your business, and improve your bottom line? The ATA Compass publishes articles and provides resources to show you how language professionals can help you achieve these goals.
Empowering LEP Communities with Language Access Cards
Millions of people in the United States have limited English proficiency (LEP), which can create barriers when accessing healthcare, legal services, education, and other essential resources. To help LEP individuals…
Guide to Buying Translation Services, Part IV: Terms to Know
Terms to Know When you Hire a Translation Provider Translation: converting written text from one language into another Interpreting: converting speech from one language into another ATA-certified translator: An individual…
Guide to Buying Translation Services, Part III: ATA Certification and Legal Considerations
ATA Certification Respected Credential ATA certification is one of the global translation industry’s most respected and recognized credentials. It is also the only widely recognized measure of competence for translators…
What is Transcription and Why Does it Matter?
Why audio and video transcription are important tools for translation and beyond What do transcription and translation have in common? (Besides starting with the same five letters.) Like translation, transcription…
VRI vs VSI Interpreting: A Guide for Language Service Users
Today, providing language access services, whether through document translation or interpretation services, is no longer just a luxury; they are often required by law or in the best interest of…
Guide to Buying Translation Services, Part II: Working with a Translator
Working with a Translator Properly preparing to work with a translator is key to a positive outcome. The more information you are able to provide upfront, the more successful your…
Guide to Buying Translation Services, Part I: Finding and Choosing a Translator
Translators help power the global economy, working with businesses, governments, non-profits and individuals. They are an integral part of global communication. Translators work with the written word, adapting text from…
Inclusive Language Speaks to Everyone
When it comes to your marketing strategy, it’s important that your content speaks to as many people as possible. A powerful way to achieve this is to ensure that you…
Demystifying the Difference Between Simplified Chinese vs. Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese vs. Traditional Chinese, Mandarin vs. Cantonese⏤there are plenty of myths and misconceptions when it comes to the Chinese language. Many such misconceptions even persist in the language services…
How to Build Digital Accessibility into Your Products and Services
Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day by eliminating linguistic barriers! May 16, 2024, marks the 13th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Around the world, legal, medical, and scientific organizations along with…
Shohei Ohtani’s Japanese Interpreter Under the Microscope
Interpreting, ethics, and the importance of professionalism in language access Given that language professionals often work behind the scenes, it’s uncommon for the outside world to take an interest in…
Using AI for Translation: (When) is it Safe?
If you’re a translation buyer, you’ve probably heard a lot of buzz lately about the artificial intelligence/machine translation (AI/MT) boom. No question about it, automated translation has come a long…
Which Spanish Variant Should You Choose for Your Translation?
The Spanish language is as beautiful as it is diverse. It’s a global language with an estimated 500 million native speakers and is the official language of 21 countries. But…
Transform Your Site: English-Spanish Website Translation
With over 559 million Spanish speakers globally, the Spanish language offers a sizeable and fast-growing customer base for businesses looking to expand their market reach. For example, about 1,900 people…
Video Translation and Subtitling: The Ins and Outs of “Subs and Dubs”
Thanks to the success of international blockbusters like Parasite and Squid Game (both originally in Korean), video translation and subtitling have now become hot topics. Lots of people are asking…
The Spanish to English Translation Process: A Translator’s View
As an ATA certified Spanish-to-English translator specializing in medical and marketing translation as well as official documents, my job is not just to change words from one language to another;…
6 Reasons NOT to Use Your Bilingual Staff as Translators or Interpreters
Your bilingual staff members carry a lot of weight on their shoulders. The pros of hiring multilingual employees are obvious: they make it easier to communicate with clients or patients.…
Brain works
All translators and interpreters are bilingual or multilingual. But not all bilinguals or multilinguals can translate. It is a common misperception, especially in multilingual societies like India, that multilingual individuals…
What is Machine Translation?
Technology is moving at a faster pace today than ever before, and many people are left feeling confused. How will new technologies affect creative fields like translation? The American Translators…
Subtitle Translation and Captioning: the Key Ingredients to Successful Social Media Video Marketing
Learn how you can leverage subtitle translation and captioning to expand reach, boost engagement, ensure accessibility, and more – from a professional subtitler and captioner. You’ve created the perfect video…
How to Hire a Translator: A Quick and Easy Guide
Perhaps you have never purchased translation services before and suddenly find yourself needing to hire a translator or interpreter. There are lots of reasons you may need to hire a…
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Recent Posts
What is a Certified Translation?
What are the basics of a certified translation? In the United States, anyone can certify a translation. A translator does not need to be certified in order to provide a…
Why Should I Hire a Professional?
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…
Machine Translation
What is machine translation? Machine translation (MT) is the use of automated software that translates text without human involvement. Adaptive MT is a technology that learns and adjusts in real-time…
Buying Language Services
Guide to Buying Translation Services Translators help power the global economy, working with businesses, governments, non-profits and individuals. Translators work with the written word. The ATA Guide to Buying Translation…
Why You Should Use a Certified Translator or Interpreter
Choosing a Certified Professional is the Smart Choice A certified translator or interpreter ensures effective, accurate, and culturally sensitive communication that truly bridges the gap between languages and cultures. Accuracy…
Translator vs. Interpreter
Watch a Day in the Life of Translators and Interpreters See how translators and interpreters work in this short animated video. Translators do the writing Translators work with the written…