MiTiN's 2009 seminar program starts with an opportunity for new members to learn from their seasoned counterparts. Prospective members, new members, and veteran members alike will benefit from the  discussion. Panelists will touch on the benefits of MiTiN and tips relating to starting and moving ahead in the translation and interpretation field. The activity will be held at the Suzuki-Myers Barn, 46320 Ten Mile Road, Novi.

ATA Certification Exam -- Grand Rapids, May 16, 2009

This year MiTiN will again proctor two sittings of the American Translators Association certification exams, the first in Grand Rapids, and the second in Novi.

The Grand Rapids exam will take place on Saturday May 16, 2009, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the following location:

Meijer Heart Center, Spectrum Health
100 Michigan Street, NE, Room 8811
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Click here for a map to the location.

For information on registering for the exam, including the eligibility requirements, please visit the ATA Certification Program page.

Joseph P. Carrier, a former patent examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, will speak on issues of intellectual property — both translation of intellectual property, and translation as intellectual property.

Mr. Carrier has extensive experience in patent, trademark, and copyright application preparation and prosecution, both domestic and international, including appeals; extensive intellectual property licensing and litigation.
 
It will be an excellent chance for members to hear from an expert in the field.

The workshop will take place at the Suzuki-Myers Barn, 46320 Ten Mile Road, Novi from 1 to 3 p.m. on April 18, 2009.

This year, again, MiTiN is hosting its Court and Simultaneous Interpreting Workshop.  This is one of the most popular workshops of the year, and it will teach you a lot:

For simultaneous interpreting, you will be treated to some of the mental training that professional simultaneous interpreters go through. You will learn how people in the profession "split their brains" into at least three separately functioning parts, so as to accurately receive the input, translate it into output, and take notes, all at the same time. If you dare, you will also have a chance to test your mettle in a realistic simultaneous interpreting situation using actual professional equipment.

Where court interpreting is concerned, you'll learn about the skills necessary to function professionally in the field. You will also learn about state certification and testing requirements and about training programs to get you ready for them.

This year, the workshop will take place at:

Wayne State University, Oakland Center
33737 W 12 Mile Rd
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
Click here for a map.

GROUP STUDY CIRCLES: MiTiN is now facilitating practice time for those preparing for the certification
exam. In preparation for the Spanish Oral Proficiency (May 21 & 22), several sessions have been scheduled.

Group size is limited to 4-6 students.

The three-hour block of time will be used to practice with an experienced interpreter sight translation, simultaneous, and consecutive.
There will be a minimal cost of $5 for MiTiN members ($45 for non MiTiN members which will cover membership fees).

To register call 313-461-3669.

May 16th
Royal Oak/Southfield Area 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Facilitator: Franco Gamero
Coffee Beanery, 28557 Woodward Ave, Berkley, MI 48072
 

MiTiN's annual Barbecue Party will be held this year on July 19, on the grounds of Suzuki-Myers Associates, as always.

As every year, there will be fun for adults and kids:

MUSIC • GAMES • FOOD • WORKSHOPS • TAROT READINGS • AND MORE!
Main course provided. Bring a dish to share if you’d like. Bring your own beer, wine, etc.
Water and soft drinks provided.

You'll need to RSVP, so please download the event flyer for full details: http://www.mitinweb.org/Files.cfm

MiTiN will proctor the American Translators Association (ATA) certification exam again in Novi this year.

It will be held at the Suzuki-Myers Barn, 46320 Ten Mile Road, Novi from 1-4 p.m. on August 8, 2009.

Those wishing to take the test must be ATA members, and there are other eligibility requirements.  You can read the eligibility requirements and the FAQ, find out about all fees, and download an exam application form from the ATA website.

For a couple of years MiTiN has held an annual Trados workshop, which was scheduled for this year again.  Due to a speaker cancellation, this workshop has died and been reborn.

This year it will be a workshop covering both Trados 2009 and MemoQ, a competing, very smart CAT tool.

Trados 2009 now has a much different interface than previous versions of Trados have had, and it functions a bit more like MemoQ, DéjàVu or the new standalone version of Wordfast. Some love it, some hate it.  It has a two-column translation interface, and a document view, so that the translator can get an idea how the final document will look when it is exported.

MemoQ has had -- for a long time -- many of the features that are new to Trados, including the two-column interface, the document view, and others.  Unlike Trados, however, it allows the translator to create and manage glossaries without a separate program.  It also automatically maintains a concordance, and sometimes intelligently creates translations on its own, using glossary entries and parts of previous translations.

So if you're interested in seeing the new Trados, and in seeing one of its very good, but cheaper competitors, stop by the workshop this weekend:

Carl Sandburg Library
30100 7 Mile Road (East of Middlebelt, North of 7 Mile, between Middlebelt and Merriman)
Livonia, MI 48152

MiTiN will hold a workshop on deposition rules for interpreters and others who are interested. The speaker will be attorney Robert Dice.

Deposition Rules by Attorney Robert Dice.
Saturday, Sep. 19, 2009, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Location:

Royal Oak Public Library
222 E. 11 Mile Rd.
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
Phone: (248) 246-3700
http://www.ropl.org/
(It is at Main Street and 11 Mile. Main Street becomes Livernois at 14 mile.

This workshop is kindly sponsored by one of MiTiN's corporate members TechWorld Language Solutions.  Check them out.  You may be able to work for them!

Robert E. Dice, Jr. has practiced law in the State of Michigan since 1986. He has handled a variety of civil cases as a representative of both plaintiffs and defendants.  He has attended numerous depositions that have required the skills of interpreters.  He will provide tips that should simplify this often-difficult situation and attempt to answer any questions you may have about interpreting deposition testimony.

Creating seamless communication in a global economy.
Accent acquisition and its versatile aspects.
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 1-3 pm

Address:
Accent Reduction Institute
The Godfrey Building, 3rd Floor
410 N. 4th Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
Phone: (734) 665-2915
www.lessaccent.com
(It is blocks from the intersection Huron and S Main Street. Mind that Huron becomes
Washtenaw at east and Jackson Avenue at west)
The speakers will be Judy Raven, the Institute President, and Barb Niemann the Curriculum Director. The Institute is a prestigious establishment, its learning systems are in use at universities and Fortune 100 companies around the world. Among their clients are: Albion College; American Red Cross; City of Detroit; Comerica Bank; Compuware Corp.; Cornell University; Daimler Chrysler; DTE Energy; Ducker Worldwide; Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University; Federal Mogul Corporation; General Motors Corporation; JPMorgan Chase; Lockheed Martin; The National Education Association; Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital Residency Programs; United States Marine Corps; University of Toledo; and alike, over 70 of them. In their endeavor to partner with our organization they will host the event in their premises. Topics covered will be:

• ‘Accent Reduction’ as a misnomer: What it is and What it Isn’t
• The language acquisition process: speech pathology, applied linguistics, cognitive neurology
• Techniques for understanding American dialects and speech patterns
• Methods for easy comprehension of foreign language dialects and speech patterns
• Accent=Pronunciation=Speech Pattern: Everyone has an accent!
• Strategies for eliminating language barriers while maintaining our unique cultural identities
• The presentation is so tailored as to engage participants’ attention and participation in a fun, interactive, and interesting way.

The American Translators Association's 50th annual conference, held in New York City, October 28-31, was a once-in-a-life-time celebration. It was an opportunity to choose from 150 educational sessions, connect with almost 2,000 interpreters and translators from the US and around the world, and meet numerous vendors of translation services and technologies, as well as a number of potential employers.

At this event, MiTiN members who attended the conference report on the experience and information gleaned at the conference to those who did not attend.  Then there is an Indian lunch buffet and a bit of networking.  (All you pay is the reasonable price of your lunch.)

Location:

Priya Restaurant (map)
36600 Grand River Ave

Farmington Hills, MI 48335
Phone: (248) 615-7700

As tradition has it, MiTiN members get together to celebrate the year-end holidays by informally talking shop and tasting food. Call it a Christmas party, a Hanukka party, a Bonenkai party, a Kwanzaa party, whatever you want. It's for the holidays, whatever your holidays are.

Bring a dish, or whatever you know how to bring, and celebrate with the rest of the group.  It should be fun.

Location:  Suzuki-Myers barn, 46320 Ten Mile Road, Novi, MI 48375

MiTiN will hold its Annual General Meeting to recap the year and discuss plans for the new year.

Time:  January 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Novi Public Library, 45245 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi, Michigan 48375

All members and friends are welcome!

Staff members Jasmin Cooper, Jessica Chudy, Judyth Stayton and Christine Cutino of MiTiN corporate member Global LT will present best practices for working with translation and interpreting agencies. Topics covered will be:

• The “Ideal” Linguist
• Making Yourself Marketable
• Resumes -- the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
• Responding to Job Postings
• Communicating with Agencies
• Translation Technology
• Global LT’s Criteria for New Hires

At the same time the event is being held at Global LT Headquarters in Troy, it will be webcast, so even if you can't make it to the location, you can still attend.

Global LT Headquarters is at 1871 Woodslee Dr., Troy, MI 48083.

The presenters ask that you RSVP to translation_events@global-lt.com. Let them know whether you will be joining us at their Troy office or would like an invitation to attend the webinar instead.
 

MiTiN's 2010 seminar program starts with an opportunity for new members to learn from their seasoned counterparts. Prospective members, new members, and veteran members alike will benefit from the discussion. Panelists will touch on the benefits of MiTiN and tips relating to starting and moving ahead in the translation and interpretation field. The activity will be held at the Suzuki-Myers Barn, 46320 Ten Mile Road, Novi.

Calling all West Michigan MiTiN members (and anyone else who would like to join us)...
 
It's time for an event in West Michigan!  You are invited to join us for a dinner on Tuesday, February 23 at
El Arriero Restaurant in Grand Rapids at 6:30 p.m. We will enjoy what some members "in the know" report is
the "best Mexican food in Grand Rapids".  Our evening will include:
 
a) a short "meet and greet" time before dinner
 
b) an opportunity over dinner to get the scoop on the two events from the previous weekend in
    the Detroit area-
    ---Feb. 19   Global LT presents The Do's and Don'ts of working with translation agencies (Troy, MI)
    ---Feb. 20   MiTiN new member orientation and business seminar (Novi, MI)
 
    Members who attended these events will start discussion at each table on the topics that were presented there.
 
c) following dinner, a preview of upcoming West Michigan MiTiN events planned by the new steering committee,
    as well as the announcement of the first ever regional Interpreter Certification conference being planned by the
    MiTiN Board for this fall.
 
El Arriero is located at 2948 28th Street SE. in a strip mall approx. across from Woodland Mall.  We will
have our own room there and you may order from the menu.
 
Please feel free to invite others interested in the translation and interpretation professions.  We ask you to
RSVP to Leslie Mathews at lmathews50@gmail.com by Feb. 20.

Interpreting and translating at the scene of an accident, or in the subsequent court proceedings requires special knowledge and skill.

MiTiN president Franco Gamero is a biomechanical engineer, accident reconstruction expert and very experienced interpreter who will guide attendees through the "whats" in cases involving accidents.

An accident triggers a series of judicial documentation and procedures with many participants. This presentation will show the path that a traffic accident takes through the judicial process and the places where the participation of an interpreter is required. The presentation will explain the procedures, the role of the police, attorneys, prosecutors, witnesses, and interpreters, and the basic terminology that interpreters should be familiar with.

The presentation will include real examples and comments from judges, prosecutors and police officers as to what their expectations from an interpreter are.

Location: Royal Oak Public Library (map) (website), 222 East 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067-2633, (248) 246-3700
Date: March 13, 2010
Time: 1-3 p.m.

Location:  Voices for Health, Inc., 2851 Michigan Street NE Suite 104, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 (map)

Cost: Free for MiTiN Members, $5.00 for non-members

Admission will be limited, so please RSVP by March 19th to: mitinseminar@gmail.com  RE: ATA Certification Seminar.

On April 10th, in Novi, MiTiN's former president Izumi Suzuki-Myers will reprise her Grand Rapids presentation on taking the ATA translator certification exams.  The presentation will contain administrative details, the procedure for taking the exams, tips on what the exam's graders are looking for in a good translation, and more.

If you are considering taking the certification exams for any language, this seminar will help you understand what to expect and what to do.  Izumi has decades of translation experience, and is a grader for ATA certification exams, so she has special insight that is rare and very valuable to exam candidates.  We are lucky to have her nearby.

Location:  Suzuki-Myers barn, 46320 Ten Mile Road, Novi, MI 48375

Cost:  Free for MiTiN members, $5.00 for nonmembers.

 As has become a tradition every year, MiTiN is holding a basic workshop on computer-assisted translation tools, more commonly called "CAT tools".

We have been told over the years, that one reason translation agencies don't hire more locally is a lack of computer skills on the part of translators.  Use of CAT tools is now fundamental to anyone really serious about working in the translation profession, and for a skilled, dedicated translator, such tools open the way to more and better work.

This year the CAT tool we are featuring is MemoQ, but other widely used tools, such as DéjàVu, Star Transit and the newest version of Trados work on much the same principles.

So if you have never used a CAT tool before, this will be a useful introduction.  If you are already adept at using a different tool, you're welcome to come and compare.

The workshop will be taught by MiTiN vice president James Kirchner.

Place:  Plymouth District Library, 223 South Main Street, Plymouth, MI 48170-1637 (map)

Intellectual Property Translation
Non-Patent Related IP Translations

Presenter: Bruce Morita

Location: Ann Arbor Downtown Library, 343 South Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (map)

As every year, MiTiN is hosting its annual barbecue party in association with Suzuki, Myers & Associates, Ltd.

Open house from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Please come to the MiTiN Reception Table.

Bring a dish in a disposable container and/or some meat to grill. We have soft drinks, but if you want to drink beer or wine, please bring your own.

We have various performances, tarot card reading, sing-along, and much, much more. Bring your children — we have fun games for them. Rain or shine.

Please let us know if you are coming:  Download the RSVP form, and fax or mail it, or e-mail your RSVP to info@mitinweb.org.

MiTiN is again hosting a sitting of the ATA translator certification exams, proctored by Izumi Suzuki.

Place:  Novi Public Library, 45245 W 10 Mile Road, Novi, MI 48375 (map)

The exam involves registration and a fee. You should be an ATA member for at least one month, and there is eligibility requirement. Read the registration requirements and other information at the ATA's examination information page.

On the day of the exam, if you have registered, please arrive at least 15 minutes beforehand.

• seasoned professional interpreters
• those looking into an interpreting career
• those who use interpreting services in courts, medicine, education and community service

• court interpreting
• medical interpreting
• community/educational interpreting

 IT’S SUMMER IN WEST MICHIGAN: TIME for A MiTiN PICNIC

                   When: SATURDAY, JUNE 26,  12:00-3:00 P.M.

                    Where:  Home of SANDRA STANLEY

                        1921 Riley St., Hudsonville MI 49426

                   What: Grilled meat + potluck buffet/ Lawn games (bocci, etc.)

                   Bring $5.00 for meat: We will grill the hamburgs, brats, etc.

Last names A-L: Bring potato salad or beans or appetizer

Last names M-Z: Bring green or fruit salad or dessert

(Think “deli-prepared” as an option)

          Soft drinks/ice tea /lemonade provided

                    Spouses and guests welcome

Please RSVP to Sandra at sandrastanley64@msn.com by June23.

Directions:

From Grand Rapids:  Take M-6 to 8th St exit. Turn left onto 8^th St. , go about a mile then turn right onto Riley. House is on the right, down the road. Or,

W  I-196 to M-6. Take the 8th St exit, which is the first exit, then turn right onto 8th, right on Riley, house on the right down the road.

From Holland: E I-196 to the Hudsonville Exit, right onto 32nd, left on Riley, house on the left, about a mile after passing the stop sign in Jamestown.

        Upcoming events to be announced, including first

MiTiN Conference on Court and Community Interpreting         

                on Saturday, October 2, 2010

As has become a tradition every year, MiTiN is holding a basic workshop on computer-assisted translation tools, more commonly called "CAT tools".  This time we're bringing the show to western Michigan.

The 51st annual American Translators Association conference in Denver will be the topic of discussion among MiTiN attendees "reporting" to us on this yearly event.

The event will be hosted by the MiTiN board. President Franco Gamero, vice president James Kirchner, past president Izumi Suzuki and others who attended the conference will report on the latest developments in our trade as presented at the ATA conference.  This is also a great networking opportunity in a relaxed atmosphere.

We'll be meeting at the Priya Restaurant for an affordable lunch buffet. For directions please visit: http://www.priyacuisine.com/directions.htm

MiTiN will hold its Annual General Meeting to recap the year and discuss plans for the new year.

Time: January 29, 2011, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Novi Public Library, 45245 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi, Michigan 48375

All members and friends are welcome!

Seminar:

Noteworthy Cases Involving Translator Liability

Yes, translators and interpreter do get sued for malpractice and liability from time to time!

MiTiN member Leonid Garbuzov, a practicing attorney, will introduce us to the issues of translator liability and cover various real cases. If you'd like to know how to stay out of legal trouble due to mistakes or other lapses, this is a good seminar to attend.

Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Berkley Public Library, 3155 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072 (near 12 Mile and Woodward) (map)
Cost: Free to MiTiN members, $10 for non-members (you can pay your dues at the seminar)

WEST MICHIGAN MiTiN EVENT

Thursday, February 24, 2011

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Join us for dinner at the Mikado Restaurant, considered to be the best affordable Japanese cuisine in Grand Rapids, followed by a time of sharing our top go-to resources for translating and interpreting.

3971 28^th St. S.E., Grand Rapids, 49546

in the strip mall at the corner of 28^th St. and East Paris SE

Bring a favorite dictionary, printout of an online reference site, contact info for community organizations or resources that have been valuable to you in your work.   Or report on a session you enjoyed at this year’s ATA or MiTiN conferences.  Or just come and learn something new and meet someone new at this informal event.

RSVP to Leslie Mathews (616) 550-7057 or lmathews50@gmail.com

by February 22.

You may order as you like from the extensive menu.

This is MiTiN's annual orientation for new members and a seminar on how to start and build a translation/interpreting business.

This year the seminar will be given by Kemba N'Namdi, owner of The KAN Group, LLC Language Services. As both a translator and agency owner, Kemba has a lot of insight to share with new members, and more experienced ones as well.

The location for the seminar this year will be:

The N'Namdi Art Center
52 East Forest
Detroit, Michigan 48201
In the Cultural Center/Midtown (near WSU and DIA)
(map)

Price: Free for MiTiN members, $10 for non-members

MiTiN Court Interpreting Workshop 

Date: Sat., 4/23/11
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Place: Novi Public Library, 45245 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi, Michigan 48375 (map)
Instructors: Franco Gamero, Izumi Suzuki & Evelyn Villarruel
Special speaker: Mr. Richard Lynch, Manager Civil/Criminal Division, The Circuit Court , Oakland County Court
What to bring: Legal dictionary, pens and paper
Fees: Free for MiTiN members and students with ID, $10 for non-members (Materials will be distributed.)
For whom: For interpreters who are interested/currently engaged in court interpreting

Content: 

• Talk on Oakland County Court Interpreting program, 
• ethics, 
• skill development workshop (sight translation, not taking, consecutive interpreting, short-term memory, etc.) 

Registration required: First come first served basis (limit: 45) E-mail Erandy Pacheco at erandypacheco@gmail.com by Friday, 4/15.

This is MiTiN's annual workshop on tools to boost your translation career -- a general introduction to whet your appetite for the conference in October.

Previously, MiTiN has held workshops on just one computer-assisted translation tool (CAT tool), such as Trados or MemoQ. However, last year some attendees said they were interested in knowing "the least they need to get started", not only in regard to CAT tools, but to other software that will allow them to work in translation at a professional level.

For that reason, the workshop has been lengthened to a few hours.

This year, MiTiN VP James Kirchner will cover the following:

• CAT tools (more than one)
• Optical Character Recognition software (for turning document images into editable text)
• Dealing with PDF files

Location: Berkley Public Library, 3155 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072 (near 12 Mile and Woodward) (map)

Date:  May 21, 2011

Time: 12 noon to 5 p.m. (including breaks and networking at the end)

Cost: Free for MiTiN members and students with ID, $10 for non-members

RSVP to MiTiN events manager Erandy Pacheco erandypacheco@gmail.com

Forensic medicine, or legal medicine, is an important auxiliary discipline in the administration of justice, especially in the criminal and labor areas. In the former, to determine the corpus delicti, and in the latter, to establish the consequences of an accident at work or the presence and etiology of a professional disorder.

The interpreter must cultivate full knowledge of the terminology used and a general knowledge of the daily work of the legal physicians, scientists, etc. to be able to interpret the testimony of these experts whether in criminal courts, worker compensation courts, depositions, etc. How many times does an interpreter is asked to sight translate a forensic report (i.e., ”the body showed signs of lividity”), or interpret the injuries received in a slip&fall incident (i.e., fracture of the talus.), or in a car accident (i.e., fractures of C2 and C3, laceration of the liver.), or interpret in a Worker Compensations court (i.e., rotating cuff injury, carpal tunnel syndrome), etc.?

This field is too large to be covered in a single presentation. This presentation/workshop begins with a series of definitions of the discipline, the systems and organs of the human body, the definitions of lesions, all in a handout with one column showing the medico/legal term, a second column showing the layman’s term(s), and two blank columns where the interpreter will write the correct translation of the term.

Next, the types of death (accidental, suicide, etc. and types of lesions (contusions, avulsions, etc.) will be defined, with corresponding terminology and examples. 

Subsequent presentations will go in depth on the above (i.e., death by firearm, electrocution, etc.)

Presenter: Franco Gamero
Location: Livonia Civic Center Library, 32777 5 Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48154-3045 (map)
Cost: Free for MiTiN members and students, $10.00 for non-members 

MiTiN welcomes members and friends to its annual barbecue at Suzuki-Myers Associates.

BYOB
Main courses provided.
Bring a dish to share if you would like! (Please use disposable dish!)
2pm- BGM – Ian Smith 

Program in the barn 

3:30pm-4:30pm Flute & Keyboard (Taka Konishi & Ian Smith) 

Singing (Marina Kondo) 

5pm-5:45pm Ballet Stretch Workshop
and more!!

Please let us know if you are coming! 

FAX: 248-344-0092 / EMAIL: erandypacheco@gmail.com
Provide your name and the names and ages of children coming with you. 

Party Location: 46320 W. Ten Mile Road, Novi, MI 48374 
Please park across the street at St. James Church 

This year's eastern Michigan sitting for the American Translators Association certification exams will be held in Youth Activity Room 138A of the Novi Public Library.  Please arrive by 12:30 p.m. if you are taking the exam.

For information on applying to take an ATA certification exam, check the ATA website.

Just a few short years ago, medical interpreters could not even dream of having national certification testing available to them. Certification seemed to be decades away. Now we have two national certification bodies and dozens of nationally certified healthcare interpreters. In this seminar we will discuss recent history of certification, its current status, pros of becoming a nationally certified healthcare interpreter and eligibility requirements. 

Presenter: Jinny Bromberg
Location: Berkley Public Library, 3155 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072 (near 12 Mile and Woodward) (map)
Date:  September 17, 2011
Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free for MiTiN members and students with ID, $10 for non-members
RSVP to MiTiN events manager Erandy Pacheco erandypacheco@gmail.com

The Michigan Translators/Interpreters Network (MiTiN) invites you to their second annual day-long Regional Conference on Interpreting and Translation, on October 1, 2011, featuring guest speakers: 

Katharine Allen, co-president of InterpretAmerica
Jost Zetzsche, translation technology expert 

The conference is of interest to: 

• professional interpreters and translators
• those looking into an interpreting or translating career
• those who use translation and interpreting services in business, industry, the courts, medicine, education and community service 

For full details, see the conference website: http://mitin.org/conference

MiTiN will hold its Annual General Meeting to recap the year and discuss plans for the new year.

Time:  January 21, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Novi Public Library, 45245 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi, Michigan 48375

All members and friends are welcome!

The 52nd annual American Translators Association conference in Boston will be the topic of discussion among MiTiN attendees "reporting" to us on this yearly event.

The event will be hosted by the MiTiN board. Vice president James Kirchner, past president Izumi Suzuki and others who attended the conference will report on the latest developments in our trade as presented at the ATA conference.  This is also a great networking opportunity in a relaxed atmosphere.  Other MiTiN members who attended the conference are also free to present.

We'll be meeting at the China King restaurant for an affordable lunch.  The restaurant is at 6580 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, MI 48322 (map).

Please RSVP to Erandy Pacheco: erandypacheco@gmail.com

One of the biggest sticking points for interpreters and translators -- and especially for people trying to pass the state court certification exam -- is idiomatic expressions.

People can live in the United States for an amazingly long time (even as long as 30 years!) without having even basic familiarity with common idioms that Americans and other English speakers use every day.  Often people whose native language is not English are even unaware that they are hearing them!

Can you translate expressions like "elbow grease", "go Dutch", "lose your shirt"?  What if a person from Michigan tells you, "I'm from Missouri!" Is he lying?

In this workshop, MiTiN board member James Kirchner will introduce you to some of the hundreds of idioms used daily by speakers of English, and to some resources for learning them.  The workshop is not language specific, and it is for people working in any aspect of translation or interpretation.

Location: Berkley Public Library

Cost: Free to MiTiN members and students with ID, $10 for nonmembers. (Corporate members can send one person free, and the rest have to pay if they are not MiTiN members.)