I Am An Interpreter: Forging A Nationally Recognized Professional Identity

ATA 2011 Barry S. Olsen Boston, MA Katharine Allen

I AM AN INTERPRETER: Forging A Nationally Recognized

Professional Identity

Barry S. Olsen & Katharine Allen


Our mission is to provide a na0onal forum for the interpre0ng profession.

Raising the profile of interpre?ng


Workgroups


Interpre.ng: Full Speed Ahead

Summary and Snapshots of Five Professional Iden7ty Workgroup Sessions

Held at InterpretAmerica’s 2nd North American Summit on Interpre7ng

June 17-‐18, 2011

By Marjory BancroK, MA

Interpreters Propel the Profession Towards Na.onal Unity


• The Interpre?ng Marketplace • White Paper on Interpre?ng


Verba volant,

Scripta manent. Spoken words fly away. Written words remain.


Professional Associa?ons

Cer?fica?on

Educa?on & Training

Legal & Advocacy

Technology

Professional Iden?ty Workgroups


The need for a na0onal umbrella organiza0on to represent interpreters

A compelling call for a na0onal generalist interpreter cer0fica0on

The urgent need to embrace technology and support interpreters who need training on technology

Loud and Clear


Cer.fica.on and Creden.aling Key Findings

Consensus

•  Cer.fica.on should address all sectors.

•  Language proficiency tes.ng. should be required.

• Generalist cer.fica.on would precede, but not replace, specialized specializa.on.

Recommenda.ons

•  1. Establish a generalist exam managed by a na.onal body that represents only interpreters.

•  2. Involve all sectors in crea.ng the exam.

•  3. Include a CEU component.

•  4. Address ethics, standards, modes, knowledge of the field.


Professional Associa.ons Key Findings

Consensus

•  Though many associa.ons exist, none represents all interests.

• All sectors should sit at the planning table.

•  We need na.onal ethics, standards and resources.

Recommenda?ons

• 1. Interpre.ng needs a na.onal associa.on represen.ng the en.re profession.

• 2. Three suggested courses of ac.on: umbrella, start from scratch, or morph exis.ng associa.on.

• 3. Create an online directory of associa.ons.


Educa.on and Training Key Findings

Consensus

•  Program quality varies widely.

• A na.onal consor.um is needed to oversee program quality, accredit programs and establish entry-‐level qualifica.ons, skills, and educa.on.

Recommenda?ons

•  1. Survey educa.on/training providers.

•  2. Create a na.onal consor.um to oversee educa.on and creden.aling.

•  3. Build an online training directory.

•  4. Explore contents of a common base curriculum.


Legal and Advocacy Key Findings

Consensus

•  The various sectors need to coordinate.

•  The profession should engage in ac.ve, concrete PR strategies.

•  The profession should proac.vely manage “bad news.”

Recommenda?ons

•  1. Coordinated PR messaging for the profession na.onally and in each sector.

•  2. Support a na.onal group that advocates for interpreters, and engages regularly with media.

•  3. Reach out to media, gov’t, the public and employers.


Technology Key Findings

Consensus

• Many interpreters are fearful of technology.

•  Providers need input from interpreters.

•  Interpreters need to communicate with technology providers.

Recommenda.ons

• 1. Have interpreters and technology developers and vendors sit at the same table.

• 2. Create web forums for interpreters to give feedback to providers.

• 3. Put tutorials on tech websites and solicit user feedback.


“Interpreters will not be replaced by technology.

Interpreters will be replaced by other interpreters who use technology.”

Bill Wood, Design Specialists Interpreta0on


SHAPING THE FUTURE OF INTERPRETING

• Track 1-‐ Is It Time for a Generalist Interpreter Cer.fica.on? Roundtable for Professional Associa?ons and Interpreter Cer?fica?on Organiza?ons

• Track 2 -‐ Contempla?ng a Na.onal Consor.um for Interpreter Trainers and Educators

• Track 3 -‐ Towards a Working Technology Partnership for the Interpre?ng Profession

• Track 4 -‐ Crea?ng Connec?ons with End Users of Interpre.ng Services: From LEPs to LSPs

• Track 5 -‐ One Profession, One Voice: Marke.ng the Interpre.ng Profession to the Public


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INTERPRETING

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Raising the profile of interpre?ng

I Am An Interpreter: Forging A Nationally Recognized Professional Identity

Education

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