Dear Colleagues,
On 24 August I met practitioners in Brisbane, and the following day I presented a seminar on lawyers working with interpreters at the Queensland Law Society’s Criminal Law Conference. On the flight back to Sydney from these meetings I was thinking about how much this association has achieved in 36 years of existence. However, we are not there – yet! There are around 11,000 people working as T/Is in Australia, yet our membership keeps fluctuating around 2,000. This is why I invite you all to spread the word about AUSIT and to invite others to join. As I told practitioners in Brisbane, there is so much to be done, but it is beyond the capacity of volunteers. We need to create new paid positions, but for that we need money. We need to hit the 3,000 mark in order to create these new positions. Please help us to achieve this. Now, I invite you to read on to find out what has been going on this month around Australia in the world of T&I.
NSW Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals
** Act now – nominations close soon **
Our work, especially when done well, often goes unrecognised. If you know a NSW-based T/I* who stands out for their tireless work ‘behind the scenes to promote social cohesion and harmony across [New South Wales]’, don’t hesitate to nominate them for a Premier’s Multicultural Community Medal – there’s a special category just for T&I practitioners working in the community.
You can make a nomination here (nominations close at 5 pm AEST on 7 September).
* Please note that this is ONLY for NSW practitioners as it is an initiative of the NSW Government.
A new Educational Affiliate: SIIT
We welcome SIIT as a new AUSIT Educational Affiliate. Based in Sydney (and also Brisbane and Melbourne), SIIT was formerly The Institute of International Studies (TIIS). In 2012 the institute – which has campuses in the Queensland, NSW and Victorian state capitals – reversed its acronym to become the Sydney Institute of Interpreting and Translating (SIIT). Part of the Australian Professional Education Institute Pty Ltd, SIIT now offers Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas in both translating and interpreting, all currently NAATI endorsed except for the Diploma of Translating. Earlier this year SIIT applied to become an AUSIT Educational Affiliate, and signed off on the terms of the affiliation agreement.
Welcome to AUSIT, SIIT! Alongside a raft of other benefits of being an AUSIT Educational Affiliate, next year SIIT will be able to nominate your best and brightest students for prestigious AUSIT Student Excellence Awards (see below).
AUSIT archive: seeking an Educational Affiliate to host
AUSIT is keen to preserve its history (and thus the history of the T&I professions in Australia), and has asked any founding/early members in possession of relevant papers to contact us so we can arrange for their preservation.
We are seeking an Educational Affiliate to become the repository of AUSIT’s official archive. AUSIT would organise the transportation of all materials to the archive, wherever it is located in Australia.
To find out more or submit an expression of interest, please contact me here (EOIs before 1 October please).
Remuneration Survey
Please complete the AUSIT Remuneration Survey. It is very important so that we can tell stakeholders about the gap between what practitioners get paid for their work and what practitioners think is fair!
The survey closes on Friday 15 September at 5 pm. So please fill out this anonymous remuneration survey ASAP and send the link to your peers. Practitioners don’t need to be AUSIT members to fill it out, the only requirement is that they work in Australia! The link is here.
Research Master / PhD student wanted
AUSIT seeks expressions of interest from Research Master or PhD students to help us analyse and present (via graphs) the data from the Remuneration Survey (see above). See the OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS section below for more details.
Liberian Mandingo interpreter wanted
I have been asked by a lawyer for help to locate a practitioner that works in English and Liberian Mandingo. If you know anyone, please ask them to contact me here.
AUSIT Student Excellence Awards 2023
Our Educational Affiliates have each nominated up to four of their highest-flying graduating students to receive AUSIT Student Excellence Awards. The full list of recipients, along with photos and quotes from some of them, will appear in the next issue of our quarterly magazine, In Touch, due out in the first week of October.
New committees – the Students’ Committee
In my July newsletter I announced that our new Students’ Committee had been constituted. The members of this new committee would like to introduce themselves:
Emma Yeung (Chair)
大家好 (daai6 gaa1 hou2 – Hi everyone), this is Emma from Hong Kong and I’m now studying translation and interpretation at UNSW in the Cantonese stream. My passion lies in cats, learning languages and caring for the community. I am thrilled to be part of AUSIT’s Student Committee and can’t wait to meet you all in the future.
Thanks, Emma
[If Emma looks familiar, that’s because she’s responded enthusiastically to our call for volunteers and has joined the new Liaison Committee as well!]
Ying Dong
Hey there! I’m Ying Dong, a vibrant second year at UNSW, pursuing a master’s in translation and interpreting. My language pair is Chinese (Mandarin) and English, and legal interpreting is my passion. Let’s break barriers and bridge cultures together!
Maria Agustina Godoy ¡Hola! I am a passionate language enthusiast and proud member of the Student Committee. With a bachelor’s degree in translation (Argentina) and an advanced diploma in translation (Australia), I enjoy learning languages and immersing myself in different cultures. Through my travels, I connect with communities and explore the rich diversity of our global linguistic world. |
The Students’ Committee has already met and decided on an initial set of goals:
- Help students in general, including those who are new in the industry, as well as students who graduated in other countries but want to obtain Australian credentials.
- Keep students informed about what is happening in the industry.
- Add practicality to courses and encourage work opportunities.
With these goals in mind, the Committee discussed a wide range of issues and ideas – from connecting events within the student community and conducting surveys about courses to collaborating with Relationships Australia, and from practicalities such as how to get an ABN to the low level of remuneration in the T&I industry – and plans to meet again soon.
ABC Radio National’s Law Report highlights injustices caused by lack of access to interpreting services
A two-part special investigation into the impact of interpreter shortages in Australian courts reports NT lawyers as saying that ‘the shortage of Indigenous interpreters has become so critical that it’s significantly contributing to the over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system’, while nearly a million Australian residents ‘don’t speak English well, or at all. The growing demand for interpreters and the shortfall in those who are suitably qualified to work in the legal sector is putting severe pressure on Australia’s busiest courts.’ Part 2 of the program deals with non-Indigenous languages. You should really listen to these, as the issue of sustainability will be presented and debated at the AUSIT 36th National Conference. You can listen to the investigation, Parts 1 and 2, here and here.
National Conference: assistance to attend
If you’d love to attend the 36th AUSIT National Conference in November but can’t afford to, check out the AUSIT OPPORTUNITIES and OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS sections below for our Conference Scholarships program, and also how to gain free entry by volunteering.
Report from Immediate Past President Erika Gonzalez
Erika has recently attended some interesting meetings and would like to share the details with members:
1. Language Services Sustainability Action Forum convened by the Department of Home Affairs (2 August 2023)
Purpose/benefit for AUSIT: The Forum’s objective is to address some of the most pressing issues in the interpreting industry, such as remuneration, working conditions, education & training and availability of interpreters.
In the first meeting, terms of reference were reviewed, and common themes of interest were identified.
The Forum is attended by a variety of stakeholders including state and commonwealth government agencies, languages service providers, community organisations and the union.
2. Preventive Health communications and engagement working group and CALD Health Advisory Group (Department of Health & Aging) (3, 5, 21 August 2023)
Purpose/benefit to AUSIT: to raise awareness on the importance of quality T&I services at the time of launching national health campaigns, and make sure that translation & interpreting strategies are in place.
Books for sale
AUSIT Fellow David (Davo) Connor of Nunawading in the Melbourne area is downsizing and is looking to sell off books (and some tapes) from a diverse collection of foreign languages material gathered over a lifetime in the most unusual languages and combinations thereof. He says:
There are grammar books, dictionaries etc., so if there’s something specific you want or just want to know whether I have certain types of books, email me [link below]. There are books that go between one language and another, not including English (e.g. Russian–Pushto), in fact just about anything, even Bibles. I’ll answer you as soon as I’ve collected the information.
Many thanks, David
Afrikaans / Albanian / Arabic (standard plus Syrian dialect) / Armenian / Assyrian / Belorussian / Bislama / Bulgarian / Cambodian / Catalan / Croatian / Czech / Danish / Dutch / Estonian / Fanagalo (South African lingua franca) / Faroese / Farsi / Fijian / Finnish / French / Frisian / Georgian / German / Greek / Hebrew / Hiligaynon-Visayan / Hungarian / Icelandic / Indonesian / Irish Gaelic / Italian / Khmer / Kurdish (Sorani) / Kyrghiz / Lao / Latin / Latvian / Lithuanian / Macedonian / Malagasy / Marshallese / Norwegian / Ossetic / Persian / Polish / Portuguese / Pushto / Rarotongan / Romanian / Romansh (Swiss) / Russian / Scottish Gaelic / Serbian / Slovak / Slovenian / Solomon Islands Pidgin / Spanish / Swedish / Syriac / Tatar / Tetum / Tok Pisin / Turkish / Ukrainian / Vietnamese / Yiddish
You can get in touch with David by emailing him here.
BRANCH NEWS
ACT Branch
… as reported by Dave Deck
On Wednesday 23 August around 80 participants on Zoom (including four of our NZSTI colleagues from Aotearoa) joined a ‘hybrid’ webinar with 10 ACT members, gathered at the Canberra YWCA, for another session on ‘Meaning-based Translating and Interpreting’, presented by branch Chair – and erstwhile RMIT lecturer – Dave Deck. This session explored the concept of equivalence of meaning at the grammatical level, looking at the translation (and interpreting) challenges posed by differences in morphology and syntax between languages, as well as strategies that can be regarded as legitimate in dealing with these challenges. Before the webinar started, the local members enjoyed some light refreshments and an opportunity for socialising. This webinar, like the previous ones in the series, has been recorded and will in due course be available on the AUSIT website.
QLD Branch
… as reported by Carina Mackenzie
On a sunny winter’s day back in July, the QLD Branch met on the Sunshine Coast to share a delightful social lunch. The stunning location provided the perfect opportunity to catch up with colleagues and discuss all topics T&I related in a relaxed atmosphere.
Left photo, clockwise from front left: Eva María Kippe, Dan Danielsson, Nancy Guevara, Renata Oliveira, Briana Bassingthwaighte, Shireen Maamo, Jinyue Wang, Sam Berner, Leisa Maia, Jacqueline Skewes, Cristina Savin, Mradula Diamond, Carina Mackenzie (missing from right photo as she took it!)
Members attended not only from the Sunshine Coast, but also from Brisbane and Toowoomba. Thank you for trekking all the way to meet up!
We look forward to organising more such events in the near future, as we know some people missed out.
We also look forward to seeing you at both our AGM on 16 September, and our not-to-be-missed International Translator’s Day walks and coffee/brunch – one on Brisbane’s Southbank and another in Cairns – on 30 September (see ‘AUSIT PD and Events’ section below for details of each event).
SA/NT Branch
… as reported by Joe van Dalen
On Saturday 12 August, the branch had a network meeting and 23 people attended: 13 members and 10 non-members. This was most encouraging. People considered the topics informative: the structure of AUSIT, and the fact that the SA Branch incorporates the NT Sub-Branch. Discussion then drifted into the usual challenges facing interpreters in particular, and translators, and how to maintain the standing, professionalism and viability of our profession in the community. Stimulating discussions.
TAS Branch
… as reported by Echo Zhang
The TAS Branch recently organised a successful meetup at the Blue Inc Cafe Inveresk in Launceston. Members from diverse linguistic backgrounds came together on 5 August to share experiences and insights, and to foster meaningful connections within the AUSIT community.
New members received a warm welcome through orientation sessions designed to introduce them to the TAS Branch and AUSIT. These sessions proved to be a valuable resource for newcomers, helping them understand the branch’s activities and how they can contribute to our dynamic community.
WA Branch
… as reported by Mary Street
AUSIT WA had a winter get together on 22 July, 10 am to noon AWST, at Dome Café in East Fremantle. Eleven members attended the event. We had a very enjoyable time together, discussing different subjects.
Left to right: Ha Le’s mother, Ha Le, Fabiola Kelly Pinheiro, Catherine Pfammatter, Michele Dreyfus, Kamran Afshar, Nora Pucci, Emanuele Diamanti, Elisa Michelini, Erika Picone and Natalie Ingham (left hand photo) / Mary Street (right hand photo).
AUSIT PD & EVENTS
The Conference Organising Committee 2023 has sifted through the abstracts received (over 90), and the final touches are underway to publish the conference program in coming days. Keep on checking the conference website for updates!
Check out the AUSIT OPPORTUNITIES and OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS sections below for our Conference Scholarships program, and also how to gain free entry by volunteering.
Save the date: International Translators Day on Saturday, 30 September – Branch Events
ACT: Canberra
Gather for a ‘walk and talk’ social event (with a break in the middle for lunch) at the National Arboretum, then we’ll move to an indoor venue to view the nationally-run webinar on Community Translation Protocols. (Look out for an eFlash in the first week or so of September for more details.)
Queensland: Brisbane (see also below for Cairns)
Come together on ITD with a refreshing walk!
Meeting at 9 am at the Wheel of Brisbane at South Bank, we’ll take a stroll along the Southbank, network, have fun and celebrate our camaraderie with a cup of Lebanese coffee and Mediterranean lunch at Shysh. Partners and kids welcome. Register here.
Queensland: Cairns (see also above for Brisbane)
Meeting at 10 am in the car park zone at the jetty in Palm Cove, feel free to bring a yoga mat to enjoy some stretching exercises, then we’ll take a walk along the beach and end with a coffee at Chill At Portofino in Palm Cove. Register here.
NSW Branch Student Excellence Award Presentations
Saturday, 16 September 2023, 12.30–12.45 pm (preceding the NSW Branch AGM, see below)
Another year has passed, and a number of newly graduated students who have excelled at their T&I studies are ready to enter our profession. The NSW Branch will invite them to share a few words and we will welcome them to join our profession with open arms.
AUSIT NSW invites you to join us at the AUSIT Student Excellence Awards from 12.15 pm, for a 12.30 pm sharp start.
Notice: AUSIT NSW Annual General Meeting (AGM)
16 September 2023, 12.45–1.30 pm (registrations close 12 pm, Thursday 14 September 2023)
The AUSIT NSW Branch will be holding its AGM, pursuant to provisions of Section 7.1.2 of the AUSIT Constitution.
If you are new to AUSIT, the AGM is an excellent opportunity to get an idea of AUSIT activities at the state level, and to participate in those activities, meet experienced practitioners and ask questions.
The AGM will be held via Zoom to encourage participation from practitioners all over the state.
AUSIT members are able to claim 10 PD points in section 1.6 for participating in the AGM.
Agenda
1. Opening and Apologies
2. Confirmation of Previous Minutes
3. Branch Report
4. Election of: Chair, Secretary, Branch Delegate to National Council, Deputy
Branch Delegate to National Council, PD Coordinator, Membership Liaison
Officer and Committee members (see below for links to position descriptions)
5. Other Business*
6. Close
* Items for discussion under ‘Other Business’ should be emailed to AUSIT NSW here.
Election of Branch Committee
To nominate for membership of the Branch Committee or an Office Bearer (as listed at #4 above), fill out and submit a Nomination Form by 8 September 2023. Please submit nomination forms to AUSIT NSW here.
If you cannot attend, but would like to assign someone to speak and vote on your behalf, please complete the Proxy Form and send to AUSIT NSW here by 8 September 2023.
We would particularly like to invite and encourage nominations for the Branch Secretary position, as well as committee members with an interest in communications and/or social events. If you would like to know more, see below for links to position descriptions and/or please email AUSIT NSW here.
Click on the links below to view the documents:
AUSIT NSW Summary Branch Report
AUSIT Branch Committee Position Descriptions
‘Redefining Our Ethics’ PD event
The NSW Branch AGM will follow this professional development event led by Sam Berner which will have a separate registration.
For additional information or any queries, please email AUSIT NSW here.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, 16 September 2023!
Other AUSIT PD & Events
- AUSIT NAT: A workshop on Chinese⇔English Translation and Interpreting in Action – 2 September 2023.
- AUSIT NAT: Lost In Translation: LGBTIQ+ Inclusion and Safety Training for Translators and Interpreters – 5-6 September 2023.
- AUSIT SA/NT Branch: Ethical Decision Making for Interpreters and Translators – 6 September 2023.
- AUSIT SA/NT Branch: Annual General Meeting – 6 September 2023.
- AUSIT ACT Branch: Annual General Meeting – 9 September 2023.
- AUSIT ACT Branch: A few thoughts on assertiveness – 9 September 2023.
- AUSIT WA Branch: Notice of Annual General Meeting – 9 September 2023.
- AUSIT TAS Branch: The Annual General Meeting – 12 September 2023.
- AUSIT QLD Branch: Annual General Meeting – 16 September 2023.
- AUSIT QLD Branch: Redefining Our Ethics: Navigating AI, Global Shifts, and Cultural Hegemony – 16 September 2023.
- AUSIT NAT: Meet and Greet for Portuguese Translators and Interpreters – 19 September 2023.
- AUSIT VIC Branch Annual General Meeting – 23 September 2023.
- AUSIT NAT: Meet and Greet for Italian Translators and Interpreters – 26 September 2023.
- AUSIT QLD Branch: Masterclass on Forensic Transcription and Translation – 29 September 2023.
CLICK ON THE BUTTON below for more information and the registration links:
EXTERNAL PD & EVENTS
All information below is provided by external organisations. Please register and direct any enquiries to the relevant contact outlined in each announcement, rather than to AUSIT.
Mental Health Interpreting PD for Auslan and Deaf Interpreters
Monash Intercultural Lab and Expression Australia have partnered to offer Professional Development (PD) training on Mental Health Interpreting for Auslan and Deaf Interpreters. The specialist self-paced short course covers the following areas: key definitions and terms; best practices in mental health assignments; memory and cognitive assessments; talk-based therapy; trauma; acute psychiatric mental health care; mental health tribunals; ethics and interactional challenges; and interpreter self-care.
As part of the course, participants can attend an interactive Zoom session led by Associate Prof. Robyn Dean (Rochester Institute of Technology) on ‘Values-based ethics and principled reasoning’.
This course is open to Auslan interpreters (CI and CPI) and Deaf interpreters from all states/territories. Places are capped and limited. Places for interpreters in Victoria will be prioritised, based on support from the Victorian Department of Health for this course.
When: 1 September to 30 October
Cost: Free of charge
NAATI PD points:
40 points, Category 1.2 (skills development and knowledge)
10 PD points, Category 2.20 (ethics sub-category – requires attendance at the interactive Zoom session with Robyn Dean.)
For further information and Expression of Interest submission, please contact Sherrie Beaver – Manager, Grants & Projects at Expression Australia.
Workshop – Chuchotage (Simultaneous) Interpreting in Community Settings
This workshop suits practitioners and students preparing for the NAATI Certified Interpreter Simultaneous Monologue Interpreting tasks, or seeking to improve their Simultaneous Interpreting skills. Including enrolment in the Introduction to Chuchotage course, this workshop and focuses on Simultaneous Interpreting practice. Participants will practise chuchotage and develop strategies for resolving SI challenges through practical interpreting exercises in community settings.
When: 4 September, 2–5 pm AEST.
Where: online via Zoom.
Hosted by: Anna Kenny.
Cost: $150.
Register here.
German Grammar Refresher
Grammar underpins all good writing. This practical online workshop is suitable for practising editors and writers who want to brush up on the basics of grammar. Participants will learn the mechanics behind why and how words work together to produce meaning – and why sometimes they don’t work as well as they should.
When: Tuesday 12 September & Tuesday 26 September 2023, 9:30 am to 1 pm AEST (attendees are required to attend both sessions)
Where: online via Zoom
Presenter: Linda Nix AE
Register here.
For more information email Caroline Arnoul.
NZSTI Conference 2023
When: 16–17 September 2023
Where: Christchurch, Aotearoa NZ
Theme: Overcoming Challenges ● Creating Harmony
Click here for more information and to register.
BRiTA Futures Training: a program to promote health and well-being for people from migrant and refugee backgrounds
BRiTA Futures is an innovative program to support the emotional process of migration. There are three versions of this program, for Primary School, Adolescent, and Adults and Parents. Since 2010, QTMHC has trained facilitators who facilitated the program to diverse communities of Queensland. Evaluation of the program shows that participants see it as a safe place where connections can be created, where they can better understand culture and acculturation and where they build skills. The main topics discussed in the different sessions are: health and well-being, the migratory process, cultural strengths, resiliency, social connections, communication skills, evolving roles, and inter-generational relationships. It allows participants to share with others and learn from each other’s ideas and experiences.
Further 2023 monthly trainings are planned for:
BRiTA Futures for Adults
25 and 26 September
29 and 30 November
BRiTA Futures for Adolescent:
23 and 24 October
Training will be held at Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre (QTMHC)
Woolloongabba Community Health Centre
Level 2, 228 Logan Road
Woolloongabba QLD 4102
For more information call +61 7 3317 1234 or email.
Register here.
Enduring Courts in Changing Times Conference
In May 2024 the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the Supreme Court of Tasmania will mark their bicentenaries as the oldest courts in Australia. These courts were created by the Third Charter of Justice promulgated at Westminster in October 1823.
There are few courts in the world with an uninterrupted and independent existence of two centuries. The forthcoming 2024 bicentenaries of the Supreme Courts of New South Wales and Tasmania are occasions for both celebration and critical reflection.
In that spirit, the Australian Academy of Law, the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration (AIJA) and the Australian Law Journal are very pleased to present a conference on “Enduring Courts in Changing Times” from 8 to 10 September at the Supreme Court in Sydney.
The conference, which will be addressed by distinguished international and Australian speakers, will cover a number of topics, with the past and future relationship between indigenous peoples and the courts a matter of particular emphasis. We invite you to join us either in person at the Banco Court in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, or online.
For registration and program details click here.
UNSW’s 12th Legal Interpreting Symposium – save the date
UNSW will host its 12th Legal Interpreting Symposium this year.
The symposium will focus on interpreting in First Nations languages in the Northern Territory, drawing on our recent fieldwork and preliminary findings for the ARC Linkage project: ‘Access to justice in interpreted proceedings: the role of Judicial Officers’. It will also include presentations by researchers, an interview with a NT judge and a panel discussion.
The symposium will be held online from 5.00 pm AEST, 6 December 2023.
More details about the Symposium program and registration will be provided in September, in the meantime please feel free to email any questions to Dr Julie Lim.
CALLS FOR PROPOSALS
Translation Culture of the GDR (conference), University of Graz, Austria 19–21 October 2023, contact: hanna.blum@uni-graz.
3rd International Congress of Language and Translation Studies (e-conference), Selcuk University. Konya, Türkiye, 2-3 November 2023
Nothing Happened: Translation Studies before James Holmes (conference), University College London, UK, 9-10 November 2023
Ritradurre la letteratura per ragazzi (conference), University of Trento, Italy, 5-7 December 2023
Translation Studies and Digital Humanities (conference), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China, 8-9 December 2023
CALLS FOR PARTICIPANTS
Multicultural Framework Review
The Australian Federal Government is conducting a Multicultural Framework Review (the Review). The Government plays a critical role in supporting our inclusive and cohesive multicultural society, and ensuring we continue to enjoy its social and economic benefits. The Review will help ensure a government that works for multicultural Australia.
You can make a submission here.
Submissions close at 5 pm AEDT on Friday, 29 September 2023. If you have further questions, please contact the Review’s Secretariat here.
Research project: Perceptions of Interlingual Communication Challenges in NDIS Service Settings with CALD Clients: A Study of Interpreting/Translating Practitioners
This aim of this project (undertaken by Miranda Lai and Olga Garcia-Caro at RMIT University) is to collect T&I practitioners’ experience in facilitating communication in National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), with an aim to identify cultural and linguistic challenges encountered by NDIS clients who do not speak English. Another aim is to collect your insights into what is not working well from your experience in the NDIS settings, with a view to improve efficacy and professional sustainability.
Online survey:
If you have done NDIS assignments in the past, you are invited to take part in this anonymous online survey here. This survey will close on 15 October 2023 at 23.59.
Completing this survey will entitle you to 10 Professional Development (PD) points for NAATI recertification (category 2.15, industry engagement).
Recruiting 14 interpreters for online one-on-one interviews (approx. 1 hr):
You need to have at least interpreted for 5 years and done at least 5 NDIS-related assignments.
Access this online form by 15 September 2023 to express interest to take part.
Completing the interview will entitle you to 10 PD points for NAATI recertification (category 2.15, industry engagement).
Recruiting 4 translators for online one-on-one interviews (approx. 1 hr):
You need to have at least translated for 5 years and done at least 5-NDIS related assignments.
Access this online form by 15 September 2023 to express interest to take part.
Completing the interview will entitle you to 10 PD points for NAATI recertification (category 2.15, industry engagement).
If you have any questions, please email RMIT Researchers Miranda Lai and Olga Garcia-Caro.
FIT Legal Translation Standing Committee Practitioner Survey
FIT-ITF is carrying out a survey of interpreters that work in courts and tribunals around the globe. Please fill out the survey here.
What do you need to know before interpreting for the family of a child who is deaf?
We are looking for interpreters to complete a 5 to 10-minute survey about what they need to know before interpreting for the families of young children with hearing loss in health and education settings. This study is aimed at interpreters who work between spoken languages, not Auslan interpreters.
Click here to complete the survey.
Working Conditions of Translation Workers in the Digital Platform Economy
Find out more and take part in the survey here.
Multi qualitative Study on Workplace Training for Language Interpretation in the Clinic: An Extension of Views from two Cities
PhD candidate Susan Peng would like to thank the many AUSIT members who are already participating in her research, and to invite more AUSIT members to take part.
Susan is holding focus group interviews with Australian practitioners from the healthcare interpreting sector to explore the status, needs, and outlook of clinic interpreting, juxtaposing the situation in Taipei and Melbourne.
She’s looking for interpreters who are familiar with clinic/bedside interpreting to participate in a 1.5 to 2.5-hour focus group (5–6 persons) interview online for on-the-ground perspectives and insight into the workplace.
AUSIT OPPORTUNITIES
AUSIT Education Officer
We are seeking EOIs for this position. The Communication Officer’s tasks will include:
- Chair the AUSIT National Education Committee (NEC).
- Hold quarterly meetings of the NEC.
- Assign tasks to NEC members when appropriate.
- Report to the AUSIT Immediate Past President or nominee after each meeting with minutes of the meeting.
- Discuss with AUSIT Immediate Past President or nominee any issues that may arise in relation to the NEC.
- Liaise with Educational Affiliate institutions.
- Liaise with NAATI regarding pre-certification training requirements.
- Liaise with both AUSIT’s Communications Officer and the editors of In Touch magazine over publication and reporting of the Translation Competition and Student Excellence Awards (see below), and other NEC activities as required.
- Organise Work Integrated Learning and practicum activities for students of Educational Affiliate institutions.
- Organise the AUSIT Mentoring Program.
- Organise the annual AUSIT Translation Competition.
- Organise the annual AUSIT Student Excellence Awards.
- Run ‘meet & greet’ events for T&I students.
- Attend AUSIT National Council meetings (online) on request.
This position requires an estimated workload of 10 h/wk.
Candidates require excellent written and oral communication skills, good knowledge of Australia’s vocational and higher education systems in the T&I field, and good knowledge of the NAATI certification system and requirements.
If you are interested, please email your EOI here by 5 pm AEST on 15 September 2023. (Handover of the position is proposed in December, TBC with successful candidate.)
Scholarships program for the 36th AUSIT National Conference
I’m very pleased to announce that AUSIT is awarding nine scholarships to financially assist AUSIT members and affiliated students to attend the Conference. Preference will be given to applicants who:
- demonstrate awareness and commitment to ethical conduct in their practice, and
- have significantly contributed to the T&I industry over the past year (e.g. through their involvement in an AUSIT branch, a tertiary education institution or a community project), and
- can provide evidence of financial hardship, and
- are in the early stages of their professional T&I career.
Scholarships will be awarded in 3 categories:
- T&I Practitioner in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages
- T&T&I Practitioner in Tier C or D language
- T&I Student Member.
You can read more about the scholarships here.
Volunteer for the 36th AUSIT National Conference and gain free attendance
The 36th AUSIT National Conference Organising Committee is seeking expressions of interest from AUSIT members (including student members) to put in some volunteer hours during the event (23–25 November). Volunteers who take on 3 shifts will receive a free ticket to the Conference (this does not include tickets to the Welcome Drinks or Gala Dinner).
NOTE: please ONLY apply if you’re sure you will be able to make it. We cannot afford last minute cancellations.
In order to apply you must:
1. be a current member of AUSIT (i.e. your have renewed your membership to July 2024), and
2. make yourself available for zoom training on 4 November or commit to watching the recording of it.
See the appendix at the end of this email for a list of the shifts available and more details on how to apply.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
Scholarships program for the 36th AUSIT National Conference
Volunteer for the 36th AUSIT National Conference and gain free attendance
See above for details, plus see the appendix at the end of this email for a list of the shifts available and more details on how to apply.
Research Master / PhD student wanted
AUSIT seeks expressions of interest from Research Master or PhD students to help us analyse and present (via graphs) the data from the Remuneration Survey. It is estimated that the work will involve 18 hours and payment will be of a lump sum of $1,200. Candidates need to demonstrate that they have undertaken the subject Research Methods or similar and send their cover letter and CV to me here by 5 pm on 8 September 2023.
JOB KIOSK
Open Rank Faculty Position in Digital Translation Studies (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China)
Open Rank Faculty Position in Translation and Interpreting (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China)
Lecturer (Teaching) in Translation (English to Arabic and/or French to English) (University College London, UK)
Lecturer in Chinese-English Translation and/or Interpreting (x 2 Positions) (Monash University Suzhou Campus, Suzhou, China)
J. Angelo Berbotto
AUSIT National President
Appendix: Volunteer for the 36th AUSIT National Conference
- see next page
J. Angelo Berbotto
AUSIT National President
Supporting Professional Standards visit our website | follow us on Twitter This communication direct from AUSIT is part of your membership benefits Please do not reply to this email, it is an un-monitored email account. |
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Supporting Professional Standards visit our website | follow us on Twitter This communication direct from AUSIT is part of your membership benefits Please do not reply to this email, it is an un-monitored email account. |
Copyright © 2020 AUSIT, All rights reserved. |
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Volunteer for the 36th AUSIT National Conference
If you’re a fully subscribed AUSIT member (including student members) and would like to volunteer, all you have to do is:
1) Choose 3 shifts that you can comfortably cover from the list below.
2) Email the shift codes [see below, in square brackets] to me here.
NOTE: please ONLY apply if you’re sure you will be able to make it. We cannot afford last minute cancellations.
VOLUNTEERING SHIFTS:
Thursday 23 Nov
2–6.15 pm: Registration [TREG3]
Hand out delegate name badges, scan for entry, act as an information point for delegates answering questions about the event.
3–6 pm: Speaker Liaison [TSPEAL]
Ensure speakers are in the right place at the right time, ensuring they have the equipment needed to present.
3.30–6 pm: Conference Room Usher [TU2]
See NOTE at end for duties.
6–6.30 pm: Welcome Drinks [TD4]
Located at the entry point for the Welcome drinks, you will scan tickets upon entry, act as an information point. Event security will be available if there is any concern.
Friday 24 November
8.30–11 am: Conference Room Usher – Keynote [FKEY1]
See NOTE at end for duties.
8.30 am – 12.30 pm: Speaker Liaison [FSPEAL1]
Ensure speakers are in the right place at the right time, ensure they have the equipment needed to present.
9 am – 1 pm: AUSIT Info Booth [FAB1]
Become familiar with the campus in order to give directions. Learn what seminars are going on and provide information about the program to direct conference attendees. Learn who is doing what in order to direct inquiries to the right person. Manage the cashless bookshop.
11 am – 3 pm: AUSIT Info Booth [FAB2]
Duties as above
11.15 am – 2.45 pm: Conference Room Usher – Rooms 1 [FUR1], 5 [FUR5], 6 [FUR6], 7 [FUR7], 8 [FUR8]
See NOTE at end for duties.
2.45–5 pm: Conference Room Usher – Keynote [FKEY4]
See NOTE at end for duties.
Saturday 25 November
9 am – 1 pm: AUSIT Info Booth [SAB1]
Become familiar with the campus in order to give directions. Learn what seminars are going on and provide information about the program to direct conference attendees. Learn who is doing what in order to direct inquiries to the right person. Manage the cashless bookshop.
9.15 am – 1.30 pm Conference Room Usher – Keynote [SKEY2]
See NOTE at end for duties.
11.15 am – 3.30 pm Conference Room Usher – Rooms 6 [SUR6], 7 [SUR7], 8 [SUR8]
See NOTE at end for duties.
3.45–5.30 pm: Conference Room Usher – Keynote [SKEY4]
See NOTE at end for duties.
12:30–5 pm Speaker Liaison [SAPEAL4]
Ensure speakers are in the right place at the right time, ensuring they have the equipment needed to present.
NOTE – the duties of a Conference Room Usher are:
Being present at an allocated seminar room to assist delegates with entry/seating, directional assistance for break times, toilets and general event information. Flag any issues regarding the speaker presentation requirements with the roaming speaker liaison).
