Translation Journal Update | August 18, 2014

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Written by Vic Rillo

As I mentioned in last week's newsletter, I am currently debating whether or not to attend this year's ATA Conference in Chicago in November. For many people, the largest factor against attending a long-distance conference is the cost of travel, and I am no exception! I live in Melbourne, Australia, and attending a conference on the other side of the world would cost beaucoup bucks.  

More about that later. I am excited to share a new e-book resource!

The Translation Journal website is happy to be able to provide you with links to numerous free e-books as well as recommendations for books we think might be relevant to translators and interpreters. We currently have more than 100 e-books uploaded onto the site and are adding approximately five new e-books weekly. 



Most of the offerings relate to our industry, but we'd also like to let you know about other e-book resources. If you would like to check out this resource, click on this linkwhich will take you to a website named Buck Books that contains e-books in a wide variety of genres - fiction, nonfiction, new releases, and best sellers - many of which cost only .99 cents. The books can be downloaded to a Kindle, but if you do not have a Kindle, you can just download the Kindle app and read the books on your phone or tablet.

So, back to the topic--attending a conference.

One point in my favor is that Chicago, the "Windy City," is my hometown, so the hefty airfare costs would be mitigated somewhat by being able to stay with family or friends. So for me, an additional benefit to attending the ATA conference - besides those listed in last week's newsletter - would be getting to see my loved ones.

While I'm still trying to decide if this year's long-distance conference will be doable, here is an article about the benefits of attending a local conference if you're fortunate enough to have one taking place in your area.

7 Reasons to Attend a Local Translation Conference

You've invested in your education to become a translator or interpreter; now it's time to invest in your profession. Attending a professional conference is an excellent way to enhance your career. Conferences are taking place all year long, all over the world - some perhaps just within a short drive from where you live. Click here to view the Translation Journal Calendar of Events, which lists global conferences as well as regional and state conferences.

There are many reasons attending a smaller local conference may be preferable to going to one of the larger international conferences. In addition to the most obvious factors (lower conference fees, reduced travel costs, and a smaller time commitment), here are seven excellent reasons to attend a local conference. 

1. To get your feet wet
   Big conferences can attract huge crowds, sometimes upwards of 1,800 attendees. These large conferences can sometimes be a bit overwhelming for a first-timer, so it may be better to start off attending a smaller conference. Regardless of the conference size, you will be free to come and go as you please, and there will be plenty of time built in for meals and socializing. You might try to attend your first conference with someone who has gone before and can show you the ropes, though flying solo can be freeing and fun, too.
2. To forge connections
   Networking is an important element of professional conferences. With smaller local conferences, there is a good chance that you might already know someone or even many people there, such as past or current schoolmates or co-workers. Mingling with people you already know is not only enjoyable, but often leads to meeting new people. As they say, who you know can be just as important as what you know. 
3. To meet your heroes
   Smaller local conferences allow for greater access to the attending luminaries in the translation industry. Speakers at larger conferences are often swamped by people grappling for their attention, making it is difficult or next to impossible to talk with them before or after their presentations. The smaller size of local conferences means fewer people vying for the attention of these VIPs.
4. To make a big splash
   With fewer people to contend with, you have a much better chance of making a great impression on potential collaboration partners or employers at a smaller conference. Connecting with people in decision-making positions can often benefit you in the long run, especially if positions open up on their teams or if they land a project requiring additional translators. Make an effort to stand out by contributing to conversations and asking questions in workshops. Increasing your visibility can have a significant effect on your prospects for future work.
5. To find a mentor
   At a smaller conference, you may find the opportunity to share some of your work questions with other more experienced colleagues. Your fellow professionals are the best source of real-world information and advice on translation issues and other professional obstacles you may be encountering. Local conferences are usually less of a whirlwind than large international conferences, and attendees are generally more relaxed and often extremely open to helping their colleagues.
6. To know your area
   Conference organizers and conference speakers all generally try to tailor the conference experience to best suit the local audience, and it is much easier to focus on a smaller, more specialized market than a global one. Because of this, offerings at a local conference may be of more relevance to you than they would be at a larger conference. Pay special attention to information on upcoming local projects, job opportunities in the local community, and specific issues facing your region. Knowledge is power!
7. To boost your resume
   Listing your attendance at a professional conference on your résumé is a great way to demonstrate to potential clients that you are committed to furthering your education and staying up-to-date on key issues in the translation and interpreting field. You might also list specific seminars you have taken in your particular area of expertise. Highlighting your continuing education makes you more attractive to potential employers and can increase your chances of securing future projects.

So, check out the TJ Events Calendar and register for an upcoming conference in your area today! It may lead to future work, and it will certainly benefit your professional and personal development. You will not regret it!

Recent Contributor Spotlight: Aziza Afkir 

Our current issue of the Translation Journal features the article "Translation in Multilateral Diplomacy: Cultural and Political Hurdles" by Aziza Afkir. This article aims at investigating some problems of translation and language-related issues in a very specific field: multilateral diplomacy. Ms. Afkir is affiliated with the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences at Mohammed V University, Agdal-Rabat, Morocco.  To read the article click here.

Technology Tip: Google Hangouts

This week I had the opportunity to use Google Hangouts for several meetings with clients and colleagues. Google Hangouts is a free web-based mobile video service that has replaced Google Talk. Hangouts is great for meetings in which participants are unable to meet face-to-face and is perfect for translators and interpreters - with Hangouts, you can easily host a video meeting with up to 12 participants. 

In addition to real-time video communication, Google Hangouts also supports text chat and photo and video sharing. Just drop your image or share your message in the Hangouts chat box, and it will be instantly transmitted to your chosen recipients. You can use your front- or rear-facing camera in your video chat at any time. (And for the camera shy among us, it is simple to turn off the video and allow only the audio to stream through.) Google Hangouts supported by virtually all iOS and Android devices.

Have a great week!

Karen Hodgson
Translation Journal