The Savvy Newcomer aims to serve newcomers to the translation and interpreting professions by publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed content on a weekly basis. We strive to provide you with the answers to the many questions you face as a new or aspiring translator or interpreter.
This post was originally published on听KGH Interpretation. It is reposted with permission.听 In 2022 I facilitated a session of the Language Access Caf茅 at the NCIHC Annual Membership Meeting and was asked to speak about interpreter self-care. Prior to the meeting, I decided to do an informal survey of medical interpreters asking them some questions about their mental health. I wanted to have a little bit of data that would clue me in on some of the issues interpreters were facing. While most of the results I shared during the AMM focused on stressors and supports, I also briefly shared…
Read MoreFunny mistranslations in hotels
Reblogged from the Translation and l10n for dummies blog听with permission from the author (incl. the image) Every translator, linguist, language lover and grammar nazi has been there.听Wherever we travel, our eyes are checking everything around us for grammar and translation mistakes. The following mistranslations are some of the most 鈥榝amous鈥 ones, they can be found in many webpages online. I…
Read MoreComputer-Assisted Translation Tools: A Digest
I recently asked the community of translators on ATA鈥檚 Business Practices listserv to weigh in on the pros and cons of the Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools they use. The question sparked a well-attended discussion, and brought helpful insight on using CAT tools in translation. I have compiled the conversation鈥檚 highlights here for the benefit of all. Functions Translators first adopted…
Read MoreNAJIT Scholar Program 鈥 May 19-21, 2017
Posted with NAJIT鈥檚 permission Our team at The Savvy Newcomer caught wind of a great opportunity for students and recent graduates – check out the information below to learn more! What is the NAJIT Scholar Program? The Scholars program of the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT) selects up to five scholars currently enrolled in or who have…
Read MoreHow to get into transcreation
The transcreation <> copywriting exchange Transcreators are often copywriters too. Therefore, if you are a translator hoping to get into transcreation, it鈥檚 a good idea to sharpen your sword in the field of copywriting itself. Copywriting is something that requires practice, a knack for understanding products and/or markets, and good writing skills. A good writer from any field within the…
Read MoreATA Certification Pass Rates 2003-2013, 2004-2014, and Statistical Trends
By Geoffrey S. Koby Reblogged from听The ATA Chronicle with permission from the author (incl. the image) The Certification Committee is happy to report here on certification pass rates for 2003-2013 and 2004-2014. The average certification pass rates for these two sets of data have remained relatively stable, although other factors in ATA鈥檚 Certification Program have changed somewhat in the past…
Read MoreStudy Resources for Translation Certification
Our team leader Helen has been a busy bee compiling a list of resources to help translators interested in taking the ATA certification exam. Even if you are not seeking certification, we felt there are many useful resources here we would like to share with you鈥攆rom exam guidelines & translation tips to English & Spanish language, technology and copyediting resources.…
Read MoreUniversidad de Alcal谩: A Day in the Life
I went into my master鈥檚 program at Spain鈥檚 Universidad de Alcal谩 convinced I wanted to be an interpreter. A year later I was a passionate translator. Sitting on the edge of my seat in a conference booth interpreting for a Finnish researcher; sandwiched next to an African immigrant across from a Spanish social worker; carefully situated between a Spanish therapist…
Read MoreGoldmines for Professional Growth at FIL in Guadalajara
Congreso San Jer贸nimo, Feria Internacional del Libro Dates: November 26 to 29, 2016 Place: Guadalajara, Mexico The Congreso San Jer贸nimo is a translation and interpreting conference organized annually by the translators association in Mexico, the Organizaci贸n Mexicana de Traductores (OMT). The conference is hosted by the Guadalajara International Book Fair, or Feria Internacional del Libro (FIL). The book fair offered…
Read MoreThe Translator Requests a Clarification: Tracking the conversation
By Helen Eby (@EbyGaucha) Reblogged from Gaucha Translations blog with permission from the author Translators and interpreters face a common problem: lack of clarity in the source message. Interpreters have a standard formula for addressing this: 鈥渢he interpreter requests clarification鈥. Although translators deal with the same issue, a standard formula is missing. We deal with acronyms that are company-specific, missing…
Read MoreHow language professionals can reclaim their digital lives after Snowden
Our private and professional lives happen increasingly online. However, we often compromise our privacy and put the integrity of data and information at risk. Public and private entities exploit that: invasive ads, tracking across websites, profiling, restrictive digital rights management, attacks on net neutrality, bulk data collection – the list goes on. It is time for language professionals to reclaim…
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