October 1, 2011
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Novi, MI

ABSTRACTS

Katharine Allen (bio)

Keynote:
What Every Interpreter Should Know about Web 2.0, Certification, Unionization, Misclassification, and National Advocacy Efforts
Remember the days when you could count on one hand the number of professional associations and conferences available to interpreters? When certification seemed like a far-off someday? When you had to travel a long ways to get training? Those days are now fading in the rear-view mirror. Our profession is evolving at a break-neck pace and whether you are a seasoned veteran or just entering the field, staying up-to-date on technology, certification and training efforts, workplace conditions and efforts to promote the profession nationally is a must. This informative session will provide a panoramic snapshot of the interpreting profession, including current marketplace and technology trends, as well as offer concrete strategies for navigating the ever-increasing flow of web-based information and resources.

Jost Zetzsche (bio)

Keynote:
Corporate Pawns or Free-Lancers? Translators and Translation Technology
The presenter will explore the fine line of technology making us dependent and freeing us from corporate pressures of large language service providers and corporations.

Workshop:
Translation Tools: Same Old or Anything New?
Jost will give an overview of computer-aided translation tools that are presently available. He will give an overview of how they have been evolving in the last couple of years (after a virtual standstill for more than a decade) and how they will continue to develop. While there won't be time for in-depth tutorials of any particular tool, Jost will show the basic features of some well-known tools like Trados and Déjà Vu but also some lesser-known ones, like memoQ or Fluency.

Decoding Other People's Accents
Interpreting can be tough when you can't understand someone's accent. Different languages have different rules for putting sounds together, and these produce different results when their speakers communicate in English.  However, there are few basic principles that can help you get accustomed to the accents of other people and decipher what they are saying.  This workshop is a crash course to get you started. Presenter: James Kirchner

Running a Language Services Business
This business workshop provides the linguist with information necessary for working smoothly and successfully. It explains easy ways to deal with with the administrative tasks that are a necessary but often unappreciated part of one's work. The workshop discusses tools for being successful and for protecting yourself while working in the translating/interpreting business and for ensuring that you get paid for the excellent services you provide. Presenter: Elke Kramer

ATA Translation Examination: What to Expect
This session provides helpful information for those who are going to take the ATA (American Translators Association)’s Certification Examination: what qualifications are needed to take the exam; what are the benefits of becoming a “certified translator” ; what language pairs are offered in the exam; what types of errors are considered subjects for how many points, etc. The presenter is one of the graders of the ATA Certification Examination. This session is non-language specific. MiTiN offers 2 examination sittings a year, once in SW Michigan and once in SE Michigan. Presenter: Izumi Suzuki

Ethics Give You an Edge
This panel of experienced interpreters will discuss how following the basic rules of ethics works to your professional advantage.  Differences in medical, legal and community interpreting will be addressed.  Panelists:  Katharine Allen, Ellen Donohue, Carlos Pava

Coping with Challenges of Simultaneous Interpretation
This session will discuss the core competencies of simultaneous interpreters; certain specific and common challenges simultaneous interpreters face in various settings such as conferences, seminars, round-table discussions, and courts; interpretation strategies and coping techniques; training and employment opportunities. Participants are encouraged to use portable voice-recording devices, including cell phones, while performing sample interpretation exercises. Presenter: Irina Jesionowski

Insurance Coverage for the Freelance Translator and Companies
This presentation will focus on insurance coverage for freelance translators and companies.  There are many misconceptions about translator insurance and what it covers.  My presentation will serve a two- fold purpose: 1) to dispel the misconceptions; 2) provide an accurate picture of the insurance coverage that may be obtained.  I will explain the different kinds of insurance policies that may be purchased and the coverage that is available under each type of policy.  I will provide a brief explanation of how to read a policy and how the policies are interpreted under Michigan law.  Finally, I will speculate about the overall scope and benefits of said coverage as well as the pitfalls. Presenter: Leonid Garbuzov

What! A vehicle has that many parts!?: Interpreting in the auto industry
Do you know what it takes to build a vehicle? In order to introduce a vehicle into the market, many parties are involved.
It is a complicated world, but if you take a look at it layer by layer, vertically and horizontally, it is not that hard to understand.
This presentation introduces you the auto industry and to what you should know as an interpreter before you start taking assignments in the auto industry. Presenter: Hiromi Fujii

Text-Based Adventure: The Art of Translating Video Games
Some would say video games are child’s play, but translating them can be a surprisingly difficult and intricate task. I’ll give some brief background illustrating how the gaming industry is staying robust even in the midst of a global economic slowdown (hint: they’re not just child’s play), then we’ll discuss the many different types of translations that are part and parcel of producing the English version of a given game title—everything from concept documents to theme songs to enthusiastic PR blurbs. We’ll look at the four main types of client relationships and why they have the potential to make or break you, as well as investigate some unique challenges video game translation presents that set it apart from other fields. Presenter: Nora Stevens Heath

Key Factors in Producing Successful Translations
This session will provide helpful tips for clients and translators on how to navigate the lifecycle of a translation in order to produce high quality, targeted products. The main focus will be on how to prepare translations and create a strong foundation for successful execution. Topics will include: prepping files for translation, dealing with difficult file formats, translating for specific audiences, asking targeted questions and gathering pertinent information. Presenter: Jessica Chudy

Medical Terminology/Body Systems Training & Bridging the Gap Medical Interpreter Training
This workshop will give a brief overview of Medical Terminology/Body Systems training and Bridging the Gap Medical Interpreter Training as well as other medical interpreter training resources.  We will have group activities and role playing so that everyone walks away with a little more knowledge of medical terminology and medical interpreting.  One attendee will receive a $200 Bridging the Gap gift certificate. Presenters: Rita Galin, Michelle Harris, Chi-Wei Chang