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.
The High Stakes of Legal Interpretation: Why You Need a Certified Court Interpreter in Colorado
Why accurate legal interpretation matters In the legal system, language accuracy is a matter of justice. Court proceedings rely on precise communication to ensure fair trials, protect defendants’ rights, and uphold due process. Language barriers in court can lead to miscommunication, wrongful convictions, and costly appeals—making the role of a certified court interpreter in Colorado indispensable. In addition, the Civil…
Read MoreSection 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Language Access: Who, What, How
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 and marginalized populations. As part of this goal, this law includes a section that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The prohibition applies to certain covered health…
Read MoreVideo Game Localization: Q&A with Expert Marina Ilari (Part 2)
Expert game localizer Marina Ilari joins us again to answer more questions about the video game localization process. Read on to learn: What to consider when choosing your localization partner How to increase your game’s impact through localization The keys to success How to avoid the common pitfalls of game localization This is Part 2 of a two-part series. If…
Read MoreVideo Game Localization: Q&A with Expert Marina Ilari (Part 1)
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 developers and publishers.…
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!
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 it’s a picture…
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.