Editing American Translators Association

{{Short description|American professional association}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Primary sources|date=October 2020}}
{{Third-party|date=October 2020}}
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{{Infobox organization
| name = American Translators Association
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| size = 200px
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| abbreviation = ATA
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| formation = 1959
| extinction = 
| type = 
| status = Association
| purpose = 
| headquarters = [[Alexandria, Virginia]], United States
| coords = 
| region_served = International
| membership = translators, interpreters, educators, educational institutions, language services companies
| language = 
| leader_title = President of the Board of Directors
| leader_name = Geoff Koby
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| parent_organization = 
| affiliations = [[International Federation of Translators]]
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| website = [http://www.atanet.org ATA]
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}}
{{Translation sidebar}}

The '''American Translators Association''' ('''ATA''') is the largest [[professional association]] of [[translation|translators]] and [[Interpreting|interpreters]] in the [[United States]] with nearly 8,500 members in more than 100 countries.<ref>http://atanet.org/aboutus/history.php ATA History</ref>

Founded in 1959, membership is open to anyone with an interest in translation and interpretation as a profession or as a scholarly pursuit.<ref name="atanet.org">http://atanet.org/docs/p_bylaws.pdf ATA Bylaws</ref> Members include translators, interpreters, educators, project managers, web and software developers, language services companies, hospitals, universities, and government agencies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisions & Special Interest Groups |url=https://www.atanet.org/member-center/divisions/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=American Translators Association (ATA) |language=en-US}}</ref>

ATA offers certification examinations for its members in some language combinations<ref>http://atanet.org/certification/aboutcert_overview.php ATA Certification program</ref> and is affiliated with the [[International Federation of Translators]] (FIT). The association is headquartered in [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]], [[Virginia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact Us |url=https://www.atanet.org/about-us/contact/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=American Translators Association (ATA) |language=en-US}}</ref>

The ATA represents both "labor" and "management"—that is, both the independent contractors who produce translation and interpreting services and the agencies who purchase them. The ATA does not provide union-type benefits, such as collective bargaining or health insurance, to its freelance members.<ref name="atanet.org"/>

==Professional development==
ATA's primary goals are to foster and support the professional development of translators and interpreters and to promote the translation and interpretation as professions.<ref>http://atanet.org/aboutus/mission_statement.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121195330/http://www.atanet.org/aboutus/mission_statement.php |date=2012-01-21 }} ATA Mission Statement</ref> The Association offers a variety of programs and services in support of these goals, including [http://www.atanet.org/webinars/ webinars] and [https://www.atanet.org/events/pd.php one-day workshops] throughout the year and an [http://www.atanet.org/conf/2019/ ATA Annual Conference] every fall&mdash;all of which feature translating and interpreting education in diverse specialties and languages.

==Certification==
The ATA currently offers certification exams in the following [[language]] pairs:<ref>http://atanet.org/certification/aboutcert_overview.php ATA Certification program overview</ref>

'''Into English''' from [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[Croatian language|Croatian]], [[Danish language|Danish]], [[Dutch language|Dutch]], [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Russian language|Russian]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Swedish language|Swedish]], and [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]].

'''From English''' into [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[Croatian language|Croatian]], [[Dutch language|Dutch]], [[Finnish language|Finnish]], [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]], [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Romanian language|Romanian]], [[Russian language|Russian]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Swedish language|Swedish]], and [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]].

After passing the ATA certification examination, translators are required to complete a certain number of "continuing education" points in order to retain their certification.<ref>http://www.atanet.org/certification/aboutcont_overview.php ATA Continuing Education program overview</ref>

==Advocacy==
ATA is a member of the Joint National Committee for Languages, a nonprofit education policy association that works to raise grassroots awareness of the importance of languages to national security, economic growth, and social justice. ATA has also advocated for translators and interpreters on specific issues affecting the translation and interpreting professions. See [https://www.atanet.org/pressroom/press_release_opposition_to_discontinuing_interpreting_services.pdf ATA Statement Opposing Discontinuing Immigration Interpreting Services], [https://www.atanet.org/pressroom/letter_texas_judiciary_interpreter_scores.pdf ATA Opposes Lower Interpreter Exam Scores in Texas], and  [https://www.atanet.org/pressroom/statement_ATA_position_on_California_AB5.pdf ATA Position Statement Regarding California Assembly Bill 5 and Request for Exemption].

==International Translation Day==
Since 2018, ATA has celebrated International Translation Day (September 30) by publishing a series of social media posts intended to educate the public about the role of professional translators and interpreters. [https://www.atanet.org/pressroom/international_translation_day_2018.php ATA's 2018 ITD celebration] centered on six infographics highlighting "need to know" facts about translation and interpreting services. On September 30, the Association will release a [https://www.atanet.org/pressroom/international_translation_day_2019.php "Day in the Life of a Translator or Interpreter,"] a short animated video showing how translators and interpreters help power the global economy.

==Governance==
ATA is governed by its Bylaws,<ref name="atanet.org"/> and has a President, a President-Elect, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a nine-member Board of Directors. An Executive Director is in charge of operations.

===Current officers===
* Geoff Koby, President
* Andy Benzo, President-Elect
* Eve Bodeux, Secretary
* Robin Bonthrone, Treasurer
<ref>[https://www.atanet.org/about-us/board/ https://www.atanet.org/governance/governance_board.php] ATA Board of Directors</ref>

===Past presidents===
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
* 1960–1963 [[Alexander Gode]]
* 1963–1965 [[Kurt Gingold]]
* 1965–1967 Henry Fischbach
* 1967–1969 Boris Anzlowar
* 1969–1970 Daniel Peter Moynihan <small>(Resigned in June 1970)</small>
* 1970–1971 [[William I. Bertsche]] <small>(Completed Moynihan's term)</small>
* 1971–1973 Thomas Wilds
* 1973–1975 William I. Bertsche
* 1975–1977 Roy Tinsley
* 1977–1979 Josephine Thornton
* 1979–1981 Thomas R. Bauman
* 1981–1983 Benjamin Teague
* 1983–1985 Virginia Eva Berry
* 1985–1987 Patricia E. Newman
* 1987–1989 Karl Kummer
* 1989–1991 [[Deanna L. Hammond]]
* 1991–1993 Leslie Wilson
* 1993–1995 Edith F. Losa
* 1995–1997 Peter W. Krawutschke
* 1997–1999 Muriel M. Jérôme-O'Keeffe
* 1999–2001 Ann G. Macfarlane
* 2001–2003 Thomas L. West III
* 2003–2005 Scott Brennan
* 2005–2007 Marian S. Greenfield
* 2007–2009 Jiri Stejskal
* 2009–2011 Nicholas Hartmann
* 2011–2013 Dorothee Racette
* 2013–2015 Caitilin Walsh
* 2015–2017 David Rumsey
* 2017–2019 Corinne L. McKay
* 2019–2021 Ted Wozniak
* 2021–2023 Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo

{{div col end}}

==Publications==
* [http://www.atanet.org/publications/chronicle.php ''The ATA Chronicle''] is a monthly publication available [https://www.atanet.org/chronicle-online/ 'online'] and in hard-copy format. The publication includes articles on various translation- and interpreting-related issues combined with regular features.
* [http://www.atanet.org/newsbriefs ''ATA Newsbriefs''] is an e-newsletter distributed to members twice a month. The publication features national and international news about translation and interpreting. 
* [https://www.atanet.org/publications/compensation_executive_summary_2016.pdf ''ATA Translation and Interpreting Compensation Survey''] is an industry-wide survey providing a comprehensive picture of the market for T&I services. The full report is free to ATA members. An Executive Summary is available at no cost to non-members.
* [https://theatacompass.org/ ''The ATA Compass''] is a free e-publication for buyers of translation and interpreting services.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140611175505/http://www.atanet.org/docs/Getting_it_right.pdf ''Translation: Getting it Right'']
* [https://www.atanet.org/publications/getting_it_right_int.pdf ''Interpreting: Getting it Right'']
* ''ATA Scholarly Monograph Series''&mdash;Published annually by [[John Benjamins]].

==Awards==
{{Expand section|date=August 2024}}

The ATA presents the following annual and biennial awards "to encourage, reward, and publicize outstanding work":<ref name="ATA Awards"/> Advocacy Award, Alexander Gode Medal, Dynamo Award, Impact Award, Innovation Award, Lewis Galantière Award, Mentoring Award, Rising Star Award, Student Translation Award, and Ungar German Translation Award.<ref name="ATA Awards"/>

===Lewis Galantière Award===
The ATA bestows the [[Lewis Galantière]] Award even-numbered years for a book-length translation into English, from a language other than German. Galantière was founding member of the association.<ref name="Lewis Galantiere Award"/>

Award Recipients:<ref name="Lewis Galantiere Award"/>
{{columns-start|num=2}}
*1984: [[William Weaver]]
*1986: Hildegard Hannum; Hunter Hannum
*1988: [[Patrick Creagh]]
*1990: Edward K. Kaplan
*1992: Ruth Harwood Cline
*1994: [[Tiina Nunnally]]
*1996: [[William Rodarmor]]
*1998: Rose-Myriam Rejouis; Val Vinokurov
*2000: [[Peter Meineck]]
*2002: Willard Wood
*2004: [[Roger Greenwald]]
{{column}}
*2006: [[Geoffrey Brock]]
*2008: Norman R. Shapiro
*2010: [[Margaret Sayers Peden]]
*2012: [[Arthur Goldhammer]]
*2014: [[Juliet Winters Carpenter]]
*2016: Katrina Dodson
*2018: [[Sam Taylor (author)|Sam Taylor]]
*2020: Michael Meigs
*2022: [[Natasha Wimmer]]
{{columns-end}}

===Ungar German Translation Award===
The Ungar German Translation Award is given in odd-numbered years, for a book-length translation from German into English.<ref name="Lewis Galantiere Award"/>

==Structure==
ATA divisions provide members with common interests a way to network and receive career updates. The divisions offer newsletters, online forums, seminars, conference presentations, and networking sessions. ATA offers 22 special interest groups or divisions,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atanet.org/divisions/index.php|title=ATA Divisions|website=www.atanet.org}}</ref> based on language or subject-area specialty. Any member of the ATA can belong to any division(s).
* Arabic Language Division
* [https://www.ata-divisions.org/AVD/ Audiovisual Division]
* Chinese Language Division
* [https://www.ata-divisions.org/DLD/ Dutch Language Division]
* [http://ataeducatorsdivision.org/ Educators Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/FLD/ French Language Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/GLD/ German Language Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/GovD/ Government Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/ID/ Interpreters Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/ILD/ Italian Language Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/JLD/ Japanese Language Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/KLD/ Korean Language Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/LTD Language Technology Division]
* [https://www.ata-divisions.org/LawD/ Law Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/LD/ Literary Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/MD/ Medical Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/ND/ Nordic Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/PLD/ Portuguese Language Division]
* [https://ata-divisions.org/S_TD/ Science and Technology Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/SLD/ Slavic Languages Division]
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/SPD/ Spanish Language Division] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901030530/http://www.ata-divisions.org/SPD/ |date=2018-09-01 }}
* [http://www.ata-divisions.org/TCD/ Translation Company Division]

==ATA chapters==
ATA chapters and affiliates provide regional information, marketing, networking, and support services to local translators and interpreters.
* [http://www.atifonline.org Association of Translators and Interpreters of Florida (ATIF)]
* [http://www.aait.org Atlanta Association of Interpreters and Translators (AAIT)]
* [http://www.catiweb.org Carolina Association of Interpreters and Translators (CATI)]
* [http://www.cta-web.org Colorado Translators Association (CTA)]
* [http://www.dvta.org Delaware Valley Translators Association (DVTA)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/19991128053110/http://www.mitinweb.org/ Michigan Translators/Interpreters Network (MiTiN)]
* [http://www.ata-micata.org Mid-America Chapter of ATA (MICATA)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010220181227/http://www.ata-micata.org/ |date=2001-02-20 }}
* [http://www.matiata.org Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters (MATI)]
* [http://www.ncata.org National Capital Area Chapter of the ATA (NCATA)]
* [http://www.nyctranslators.org New York Circle of Translators (NYCT)]
* [http://www.notatranslators.org Northeast Ohio Translators Association (NOTA)]
* [http://www.ncta.org Northern California Translators Association (NCTA)]
* [http://www.notisnet.org Northwest Translators and Interpreters Society (NOTIS)]
* [http://www.umtia.com Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association (UMTIA)]

==Affiliated groups==
* [http://www.atisda.org/ Association of Translators and Interpreters in the San Diego Area (ATISDA)]
* [http://www.aatia.org/ Austin Area Translators and Interpreters Association (AATIA)]
* [http://www.epitanet.org/ El Paso Interpreters and Translators Association (EPITA)]
* [http://www.hitagroup.org/ Houston Interpreters and Translators Association (HITA)]
* [http://www.iitanet.org/ Iowa Interpreters and Translators Association (IITA)]
* [http://www.natihq.org/ Nebraska Association of Translators and Interpreters (NATI)]
* [http://www.nitaonline.org/ Nevada Interpreters and Translators Association (NITA)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070711120701/http://internet.cybermesa.com/~nmtia/ New Mexico Translators and Interpreters Association (NMTIA)]
* [http://www.ostiweb.org/ Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters (OSTI)]
* [http://www.tapit.org/ Tennessee Association of Professional Interpreters and Translators (TAPIT)]
* [http://www.utianet.org/ Utah Translators and Interpreters Association (UTIA)]

==See also==
*[[List of translators and interpreters associations]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="Lewis Galantiere Award">{{cite web | url= 
https://www.atanet.org/award/lewis-galantiere-award/ |title= Lewis Galantiere Award | date=  | publisher= American Translators Association | location=     | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213346/https://www.atanet.org/award/lewis-galantiere-award/ | archivedate=2021-06-08  |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="ATA Awards">{{cite web | url= https://www.atanet.org/about-us/honors-awards-program/ |title= Honors and Awards Program – ATA presents annual and biennial awards to encourage, reward, and publicize outstanding work done by both seasoned professionals and students of our craft. | date=  | publisher= American Translators Association | location=     }}</ref>

}}

==External links==
* [http://www.atanet.org/ American Translators Association (ATA)]
* [http://www.atanet.org/chronicle-online ATA Chronicle Online]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Professional associations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Translation associations of the United States]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Alexandria, Virginia]]
[[Category:1959 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1959]]