E113: The Ins and Outs of ATA Certification
The ATA Podcast
Are you interested in taking the ATA certification exam? Want to know what to expect and how it works? In this episode, ATA Podcast host Adam Sachs interviews Elias Shakkour, co-deputy chair of ATA’s Certification Committee, to understand the ins and outs of ATA certification. Elias shares insights into the certification program and also explains how it works, how to prepare, how it's graded, and how to get the most out of your results. ATA certification is one of the industry's most respected credentials for translators and is the only widely recognized measure of competence for...
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E112: Executive Order 14224 Explained with Dr. Bill Rivers
The ATA Podcast
On March 1, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14224 designating English as the official language of the United States and revoking EO 13166, an executive order from 2000 aimed at improving language access. On this episode of the ATA Podcast, co-host Adam Sachs questions Dr. Bill Rivers on the order, its effects on language access, and how it affects language services providers. Dr. Rivers joins us with experience spanning over 30 years of research, advocacy, and work in translation and language access, and this episode thoroughly examines the new EO using his insights and expertise....
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E111: The 2025 ATA Halftime Show
The ATA Podcast
Join ATA Podcast co-host Adam Sachs as he interviews ATA President Geoff Koby and ATA President-Elect Andy Benzo about ATA's standout accomplishments this year and what we can expect in the months to come! From reviewing ATA's recent advocacy efforts to how the upcoming ATA Annual Conference is shaping up, you'll get an all-around view of ATA's full 2025 agenda. Insights from the ATA leaders in this episode include updates about membership and member benefits, ATA's new association management system (AMS) and online directory, and where we and our members stand in the face of artificial...
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E110: ATA's New Guides to Buying Translation and Interpreting Services
The ATA Podcast
In this episode of the ATA Podcast, Adam Sachs connects with Eve Bodeux and Jamie Hartz to explore ATA's newly published Guide to Buying Translation Services and Guide to Buying Interpreting Services. Whether you are seeking professional language services or are a practicing translator, interpreter, or agency, these guides are invaluable reference tools to show you what working with a language service provider looks like and how to streamline every aspect of the process. Tune in as Eve and Jamie walk us through what it was like to put these guides together and what...
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E109: Organizing a Local ATA Event
The ATA Podcast
Did you know the joy of gathering with other language professionals isn't reserved exclusively for ATA's Annual Conference? Getting involved locally can be a wholesome and inexpensive way to connect with your community, expand your network, and form new partnerships. On this episode of the ATA Podcast, German Language Division administrator Karen Leube describes how and why the group's initial luncheon grew into an annual multi-day event in Europe—and she shares tips to organize your own event! From location to budget considerations, Karen shares her experience in covering all...
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E108: Rediscover ATA's Member Benefits
The ATA Podcast
In this first ATA Podcast episode of 2025, Andie Ho revisits Membership Committee chair Tony Guerra to talk about all the ongoing, new, and unknown benefits of ATA membership! For new members and veteran ones, Tony does a deep dive into ATA's benefits that keep you abreast in the industry, progressing in your profession, and connected with your ATA community. Even if you know about all of these benefits, have you utilized them to their full potential? Listen as Tony tells you how his membership becomes even more rewarding year after year. Whether you are venturing into new businesses, wanting...
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E107: 2024 Year in Review
The ATA Podcast
There were a lot of big changes to the Association this year, making it a year of transition in more ways than one! Listen in for Matt Baird's final episode as the ATA Podcast host where he interviews ATA President Geoff Koby to look back on all that happened in 2024 and to set our eyes on exciting things planned for 2025. This year, Geoff found himself unexpectedly and prematurely in the role of president. As well, the new Association Management System launched and there was a change in executive director. In this episode, you'll hear more about Geoff's history with ATA, his...
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E106: Inside Specialization - Interpreting with Technology
The ATA Podcast
On this episode of the ATA Podcast's Inside Specialization series, Daniel Sebesta and Bridget Hylak of ATA's Language Technology Division interview Dieter Runge, co-founder of Boostlingo. Listen in as Dieter, Bridget, and Daniel discuss the role of professional organizations in the interpreting profession. Dieter mentions that technology upskilling is a fact of life for our industry, like most other industries! If you want to be informed and ahead about the changes technology is bringing to interpreting, this episode is for you. Throughout their conversation, you'll hear lively...
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E105: ATA 2024 Elections - Meet the Candidates
The ATA Podcast
ATA will hold its regularly scheduled elections at the upcoming ATA 65th Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon, October 30–November 2, 2024, to elect the following: President-Elect (one unexpired position to be filled for a remaining term of one year). Director (three regular positions, each for a three-year term). Director (one unexpired position to be filled for a remaining term of one year). For this podcast episode, candidates had the opportunity to submit a recording. Listen to learn: Where they are based and what kind of translation/interpreting do they do....
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E104: Inside Specialization – Corporate and Internal Communications
The ATA Podcast
In the language professions, there is the contradiction to be both regional experts and citizens of the world in needing to share a message with multiple divergent entities. These identities are crucial for multinational companies whose communications can be very time-sensitive and have major implications on everything they do. For this reason, it's important to have a trusted and experienced translator or interpreter for your business. In this episode of the ATA Podcast, we hear from Marita Propato, who has a career that spans decades working with clients ranging from large...
info_outlinePlanning for a vacation or special occasion? Want a break from making dinner? Or maybe you're trying to cook a great meal at home? Eating and drinking makes up the rhythm of our days no matter where we are, and there are plenty of written descriptions across industries to help us eat and drink better and happier. In this episode, we interview ATA member and food and wine translator Adam Sachs about the ins and outs of culinary translation. You’ll hear about his lengthy career as a food and beverage professional starting from his early days working in wine country all the way to managing global supply chain integrity for some major players and how he’s now applying that knowledge as a language professional. Listen to the full episode today for some chuckles about restaurant menu translation errors!
Show Notes:
- Society of Wine Educators: https://societyofwineeducators.org/
- Wine and Spirits Educational Trust: https://www.wsetglobal.com/
- Court of Master Sommeliers: https://www.mastersommeliers.org/
- Cicerone Certification Program: https://www.cicerone.org/
- American Cheese Society: https://www.cheesesociety.org/
- Cider Association: https://ciderassociation.org/
- AulaSIC: https://www.aulasic.org/
- Lost in Translation? Why Conscientious Menu Language Matters: https://modernrestaurantmanagement.com/lost-in-translation-why-conscientious-menu-language-matters/
- Join ATA: https://www.atanet.org/member-center/join-ata/
- The ATA Podcast Archive: https://www.atanet.org/news/the-ata-podcast/
- ATA Events Calendar: https://www.atanet.org/ata-events/
- ATA Socials: https://linkin.bio/americantranslatorsassn
- ATA’s 64th Annual Conference in Miami: https://www.atanet.org/ata64/
Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!
Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan