It takes more than just the ability to understand two languages.
Professional translators and interpreters have the education, experience, and expertise to understand the nuances in one language and transfer them to another. The right professional will have solid knowledge of your industry and will know how to culturally adapt your content for the target audience you are trying to reach. You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make sure it counts.
Can I afford to hire a professional?
You can't afford NOT to. Getting your message wrong can cost money, ruin your image, and even cost lives. Whether you’re having a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign translated or need an interpreter to communicate treatment options between a doctor and patient, it pays to hire a professional to get the job done right.
Instead of hiring a professional, this restaurant used machine translation and did not realize the result was an error message.
Understanding what’s at stake
ATA publishes articles to illustrate why it is critical to hire qualified translators and interpreters.
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Language Access: Who, What, How
By María Baker The text quoted in this article can be reviewed at its source, the Federal Register. The information herein is not intended as legal advice. If you need legal assistance, consult a lawyer. What is Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act? The goal of the Affordable Care Act is to expand access to healthcare, especially to underserved…
Read MoreVideo Game Localization: Q&A with Expert Marina Ilari (Part 2)
By Meghan McCallum This is Part 2 of a two-part series. If you missed Part 1, you can check it out here. In Part 1, we covered what video game localization is, ran through the steps in the process, and named the Who’s Who of localization—the players you need on your team to succeed. Expert game localizer Marina Ilari joins…
Read MoreVideo Game Localization: Q&A with Expert Marina Ilari (Part 1)
By Meghan McCallum You’d like gamers around the world to play your video game… but how do you attract international players who speak different languages? Welcome to the world of video game localization! Localizing a video game is about translating and adapting your game for audiences outside your home country. It has proven to be a game changer for game…
Read MoreWhy Translators & Interpreters with Disabilities Can Make a Difference
In case you missed it, October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and this year’s official theme was “Access to Good Jobs for All.” So, it’s a good time to pause and consider the impact of hiring professionals, especially those with disabilities. NDEAM is an initiative of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the U.S. Department of…
Read MoreWant Your Children’s Book Translated into Another Language? Answer These 7 Questions First!
By: Gabriella Aldemann Whether you’re an author or a publisher, you’ve likely grappled with lots of questions before publishing your book. For the translated edition(s), there are many more things to consider – questions you may not have thought about. Here are seven key points to clarify that can greatly impact the translation of your children’s book, regardless of whether…
Read MoreGuide to Buying Translation Services, Part IV: Terms to Know
This is the fourth article in a series of articles introducing the American Translators Association’s Guide to Buying Translations Services, which was created to help those in need of translation services find the best provider for their project and work efficiently with the chosen translation provider. For the full guide, click here. Terms to Know When you Hire a Translation…
Read MoreWhy Hire an ATA Member?
ATA members have a commitment to continuing education and are held to the highest professional standards. Feel secure knowing if you’re hiring an ATA member, you’re hiring the best in the business.
The ATA Compass
Our outreach publication provides up-to-date information and resources about the translating and interpreting industry.
What's the difference?
Translators do the writing. Interpreters do the talking. ATA helps you find the right language professional.
Can't a computer do all this?
There are times when machine translation is useful, and times when it's not. Learn when to use Google Translate, and when to hire a professional.