| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you belong to any translators/interpreters association? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you belong to any translators/interpreters association?".
This poll was originally submitted by Montse S.. View the poll results »
| | | | Mary Worby 
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:05
German to English
+ ...
(Assuming Proz.com doesn't count! )
I've recently become a member of the ITI. I've yet to discover whether the substantial fees will command me any tangible benefits! I used to be a member of the IOL, but let it lapse as it did not really seem to offer much.
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 15:05
English to French
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I used to be a member of the CBTIP (Belgian chamber) but no longer belong to any translators/interpreters association.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 15:05
Spanish to English
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No as far as I know.
I once looked at the possibilities of either the IOL or whatever the other one is called (I don't do acronyms) but to my eyes they seemed too demanding, too expensive, perhaps even too snooty ...and seemed to promise few or neglible benefits to offset the cons.
Although apparently paying money to the ATA means you can stick the letters after your name to impress those who set great store in such adornments.
[Edited at 2011-06-07 08:54 GMT]
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New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters. A very active association and a close-knit community. Probably because New Zealand is so small. Just went to their conference last weekend. Such fun!
| | | | Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 14:05
South African Translators' Institute since 2000. Accreditations since 2001.
Despite my being far away from South Africa geographically now, I continue my membership not only to maintain the validity of my accreditations, but also because I believe it to be a vibrant and dynamic organisation which is doing much to develop translation skills between the 11 different languages spoken in this country. The only beacon of its kind in Africa, if I... See more South African Translators' Institute since 2000. Accreditations since 2001.
Despite my being far away from South Africa geographically now, I continue my membership not only to maintain the validity of my accreditations, but also because I believe it to be a vibrant and dynamic organisation which is doing much to develop translation skills between the 11 different languages spoken in this country. The only beacon of its kind in Africa, if I am not mistaken.
http://translators.org.za/sati_cms/index.php?frontend_action=display_text_content&content_id=1
@neilmac: Cannot for the life of me remember the order of the letters I am permitted to leave after my name, by reason of my accreditations. I used them recently in a contact with a Portuguese publisher, though. Much to my chagrin, the next letter was addressed to Senhora Doutora Allison Wright (whilst flattering, it is simply not true - no doctorate adorning my wall).
[Edited at 2011-06-07 09:42 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Evans (X)
Local time: 14:05
Spanish to English
+ ...
I have been a member of the ITI since 1991 and I personally find it very worthwhile. My membership fees pay for themselves in contacts and work and the language and subject forums are extremely interesting and useful.
When I was an outsourcer I certainly looked favourably on applicants for work with our agency who were ITI members as I knew the levels of skills and experience needed to become a member. I suspect other serious agencies do the same.
I am also a member of ... See more I have been a member of the ITI since 1991 and I personally find it very worthwhile. My membership fees pay for themselves in contacts and work and the language and subject forums are extremely interesting and useful.
When I was an outsourcer I certainly looked favourably on applicants for work with our agency who were ITI members as I knew the levels of skills and experience needed to become a member. I suspect other serious agencies do the same.
I am also a member of the Translators Association of the Society of Authors in the UK. Another valuable professional association in terms of information, contact with colleagues and value to my own business.
One of the things I value about both these associations is that they promote professionalism and the proper treatment of professionals within our industry. And as well as gaining support from them, they need support from us.
[Edited at 2011-06-07 11:51 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 15:05
Member (2009)
English to German
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And at this moment I'm not planning on become a member.
The ProZ.com membership is working well for me.
Why change something good?
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Patricia Charnet
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:05
Member (2009)
English to French
Used to belong to 3 of them and now none
thinking about re-registering with a few
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The CIoL and the Society of Authors Translators Association - an investment in exposing yourself to the experience and expertise of top colleagues and to additional sources of work. Free-for-all marketplaces like ProZ are no guarantee of quality, and many outsourcers know this.
| | | | Simon Bruni
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:05
Member (2009)
Spanish to English
neilmac wrote:
Although apparently paying money to the ATA means you can stick the letters after your name to impress those who set great store in such adornments.
[Edited at 2011-06-07 08:54 GMT]
This is also the case with the Chartered Institute of Linguists, membership of which gives you the right to put the impressive-looking MCIL after your name (whether this evokes admiration or disdain is another matter). And as you mention Neil, this is the only palpable benefit from CIOL membership and the application process involves arranging references and much form-filling.
Proz membership fees are cheaper and the Proz Certified PRO selection process is actually more stringent than the CIoL's, since it involves having your work peer-reviewed; but, dare I say it, there is nevertheless something cheap about the Proz brand which won't have the same appeal to certain clients as would the stamp of formal institutions like the CIoL.
So yes, association membership is pretty much a marketing gimmick, if you ask me, but I suppose all you need is one client to be impressed or reassured by the letters and your membership is paid for.
Simon
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 15:05
Spanish to English
+ ...
Allison Wright wrote: @neilmac: Cannot for the life of me remember the order of the letters I am permitted to leave after my name, by reason of my accreditations. I used them recently in a contact with a Portuguese publisher, though. Much to my chagrin, the next letter was addressed to Senhora Doutora Allison Wright (whilst flattering, it is simply not true - no doctorate adorning my wall). [Edited at 2011-06-07 09:42 GMT]
My opinion on these kind of things is biased because, if I remember correctly, either the ITI or IOl wouldn't accept a degree as valid once a certain time limit had expired, and since I took mine a quarter century ago (those were the days!), I took the hump and have had a scornful take on this kind of "added-value" rubber stamp ever since. Many of my comments on proz are tongue-in-cheek and I mean no offence to anyone, no matter how many distinctions they may have accrued.
Anyway, lately I've been having to beat potential clients off with a metaphorical stick so marketing myself or seeking further accreditations is off the cards for the forseeable future!
Happy translating
[Edited at 2011-06-07 11:57 GMT]
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Jiang Xia
China
Member (2011)
English to Chinese
| Do you belong to any translators/interpreters association? | Jun 7, 2011 |
No,I wanted to.but now,never.I am a new ProZ.com member.hope this can give me good luck and more opportunities
| | | | Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 07:05
English to Spanish
+ ...
In memoriam
I am a founding member (1983) of our local association, EPITA, El Paso Translators and Interpreters Association and a member of AATIA, the Austin Area Translators and Interpreters Association. I have found it to be very worthwhile to belong to them.
| | | | Montse S.
Spain
Local time: 15:05
German to Spanish
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Besides being a Certified PRO member, I sent my application to ASETRAD, the Spanish translators' society. In general, I would say that if these organizations defend the translators'/interpreters' rights (good rates, fair market conditions etc.) then it's worth being a part of them. However, if their main goal is to receive as many annual fees as possible, then there's no difference between them and a profit company...
Whether it's really worth or not, I'll get to know it soon, I hop... See more Besides being a Certified PRO member, I sent my application to ASETRAD, the Spanish translators' society. In general, I would say that if these organizations defend the translators'/interpreters' rights (good rates, fair market conditions etc.) then it's worth being a part of them. However, if their main goal is to receive as many annual fees as possible, then there's no difference between them and a profit company...
Whether it's really worth or not, I'll get to know it soon, I hope
¡Have a nice translating afternoon! ▲ Collapse
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