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Chapters of ATA: defending your interests or business interference? |
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Thursday, 14 April 2011 12:35 |
 Before you start reading this article, I would like for you to play a little business game. Imagine you are driving on a small street and the light on your dashboard tells you you are out of fuel. You are in luck as there are two stations that sell fuel. One station is on the other side of the street but for some odd reason the gasoline there is 10% cheaper. There is no traffic and both stations look just like twins. Will you make a turn to fill up the tank? Remember your answer and if you want to learn what the lower cost of the fuel has to do with interpreting or translation hit the link below.
Several days ago, an interesting story started to float in the community and it came down to the following. Futurallia, a company that organizes International Business Development Forum in Kansas City 2011 was looking for interpreters. They have contacted some people who offer interpreting services with their proposals. Names and contact information are freely available on local ATA chapter's web site. Many interpreters characterized the offer of being "not serious" and declined it. Several days later MICATA's Board of Directors sent a letter to all its memebers (see below).
In the letter, the members of the Board introduce Ms. Connelly (representative of Futurallia) to MICATA, welcome Futurallia 2011 to Kansas City and then ... started the teaching scolding process. We don't know if Ms. Connelly approached MICATA with any questions, but it would be safe to say she did not ask for training in shopping. She had business needs and was shopping around. Remember the gasoline question? If your decision was to cross the street and fill up your tank for 10% less you will not like anyone telling you that you should have paid more. Right? There are interpreters who are interested to put their name out, volunteers, graduate of colleges and schools as well as professional interpreter. The market is open to everyone. There are those who don't move unless they are paid minimum of $100.00 for two hours, and there are those who will work for much less or even free.
We all look for bargains and last time we checked that was not illegal. With that in mind do you think ATA chapters should put themselves upfront and fight every business that is looking for bargain deals on interpreting or translation or concentrate on professional education of the business community in general? Use the comment section below to let us know your thoughts.
Mid-America Chapter of the American Translators Association
P.O. Box 144
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201
www.ata-micata.org
Dear Ms. Connelly,
Our group, the Mid-America Chapter of the American Translators Association (MICATA), represents professional translators and interpreters in the Midwest, and a large number of our members live and work in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Like many in the local business community, we were excited to learn that the Futurallia 2011 would be held in Kansas City. What a great opportunity to showcase all that Kansas City has to offer and establish ourselves as a crossroads for international business!
Interpreters will certainly be a critical element in the success of Futurallia, building the bridge between people of different cultures and languages. Professional interpreters have invested in training to deal with the many complex language issues that can arise when people of two completely different backgrounds meet. They are also ready to work in fast-paced settings, having already experienced situations where time is of the essence. If you want to have a successful event, professional interpreters are simply a must.
Our group was disappointed to learn the approach that you are taking to recruiting interpreters for your event. The amount that you propose paying your interpreters is, frankly, an insult to our profession. Professional interpreters do not need business cards; they already have them. Lanyards and t-shirts are very nice, but do not in any way offset the amount of time needed to prepare for and interpret at such an event. We urge you to make the investment in professional service providers. We would be happy to assist you with any questions about the interpreting profession or help you find any additional information you might need about professional interpreters.
Best wishes for your event,
MICATA Board of Directors
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