From: Acting National President Dr Erika González
Dear colleagues,
This month has been both hectic and challenging. I’m pleased to announce that the Melbourne Conference Organising Committee has finalised the conference program, which will be revealed soon. It promises to be comprehensive, featuring workshops and pre-conference sessions designed to maximise our three days together.
Unfortunately, this month we’ve observed a troubling erosion of interpreters’ working conditions in Victorian courts. On behalf of AUSIT, I have contacted the CEO of Court Services Victoria (CSV) to request a meeting and advocate for the reinstatement of half-day and full-day bookings for court appointments.
I would like to express our gratitude to Sandra Hale, Professor in Translating and Interpreting at UNSW and former president of AUSIT, for her exceptional leadership of the I-FRIC (Interpreters’ Feedback on RNS Implementation Committee). Her efforts have significantly advanced legal interpreting in Australia. I would also like to thank Magdalena Rowan, Angelo Berbotto, Silvia Martínez, Mikoto Araki, Biserla Surka, Aisha Kenaway, and our Vice-President for PD and Events Carl Fordham for their work and efforts in this working group.
The Committee is tasked with compiling interpreters’ experiences in courts and tribunals, and your contributions are crucial. The evidence collected is instrumental in informing legal professionals and enhancing their training to address existing gaps. So whenever you’ve completed a court or tribunal assignment, and especially if you encountered poor conditions or other issues, consider spending a few minutes making a report on the AUSIT website, here.
International Translation Day event
Each year, on 30 September, AUSIT joins interpreters and translators around the globe in celebrating International Translation Day (originating from the Christian Feast of Saint Jerome).
This year we’re marking the date by taking a look at the unique risks interpreters and translators face in the workplace. Please join us online for this webinar, which will be led by our Vice President for Events and Professional Development, Carl Gene Fordham. You can find out more and register here.
Language-specific Meet-&-Greet Sessions
Don’t miss this chance to catch up with old colleagues and meet new ones in your language community!
One of the best ways to stay connected and continue growing in your field is by networking with other practitioners — especially in your working language. Meeting new colleagues can open up doors for potential collaborations, mentorship opportunities and friendships, all of which can greatly enhance your professional development.
Six online Meet-&-Greet Sessions, held between mid-September and early October, will provide a space for colleagues in 38 languages to reflect on past experiences and accomplishments, while receiving guidance on how to navigate this complex and ever-evolving industry. We will be using a separate breakout room for each language during these sessions:
- Session 1: 17 September, 6–7.30 pm AEST
Languages: Filipino, Hebrew, Persian, Punjabi, Spanish, Yoruba - Session 2: 18 September, 6–7.30 pm AEST
Languages: Greek, Hindi, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Turkish - Session 3: 24 September, 6–7.30 pm AEST
Languages: Arabic, Burmese, Samoan, Sinhalese, Swahili, Ukrainian - Session 4: 25 September, 6–7.30 pm AEST
Languages: Indonesian, Italian, Khmer, Polish, Russian, Vietnamese - Session 5: 1 October, 6–7.30 pm AEST
Languages: Dari, Dutch, French, Gujarati, Korean, Macedonian, Thai - Session 6: 2 October, 6–7.30 pm AEST
Languages: Cantonese, Croatian, German, Serbian, Tamil, Tongan, Nepali
Register for your language session here.
Volunteer to chair Meet-&-Greet Sessions
We are seeking a volunteer to help Chair the breakout group for each of these languages in the Meet-&-Greet Sessions (see above):
Burmese, Greek, Hindi, Nepali, Polish and Samoan.
If you are fluent in one of these languages and would like to help, please email pd@ausit.org.
Paul Sinclair Award 2024
In 2009, AUSIT established the ‘Paul Sinclair Award for Outstanding Contribution to AUSIT’ to honour the late Paul Sinclair’s contribution to the association and the profession.
The Paul Sinclair Award has been awarded six times to date, as listed on the AUSIT website here.
Nominations for the Paul Sinclair Award 2024 are accepted from AUSIT Members. Nominations are now open, and will close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 15 September. You can find the Paul Sinclair Award 2024 Guidelines and Nomination Form here.
The Paul Sinclair Award 2024 will be awarded at the 37th AUSIT National Conference in November (see below).
AUSIT National Conference 2024
REGISTRATION
Registrations – for the conference sessions and also for the two social/networking evenings – are coming in steadily, and this year’s event promises to be a ‘don’t miss’ event to match those of recent years. So if you haven’t registered yet, why not get onto it today – you won’t regret it! You can find out more and register here.
SPONSORSHIP
Thank you to our major sponsors:
Ruby Sponsor: Language Loop
Emerald Sponsor: NAATI
Platinum Sponsor: Oncall Language Services
Platinum Sponsor: TIS National – Department of Home Affairs
Venue Sponsor: RMIT University
Plus we have a newly signed up Bronze Sponsor: The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA)
BRANCH NEWS
ACT Branch
… as reported by Dave Deck
… as reported by Dave Deck
On Wednesday 14 August, nine members of the ACT branch enjoyed some convivial conversation at the branch’s second after-work social get-together at the Hellenic Club, Woden.
Enthusiastic discussions covered everything from what expenses practitioners can claim on their tax, through the best ways of keeping track of activities for recertification, to linguistic and logistical difficulties encountered in interpreting jobs, plus side excursions into other topics – with the most avid conversationalists keeping it up for about two hours! The branch committee hopes to schedule more of these get-togethers in the future.
(And apologies, I once again got so involved in the conversations that I forgot to get a photo).
QLD Branch
… as reported by Andrea Dallape
In July, the QLD Branch hosted an enjoyable social gathering at the charming Brisbane Botanic Gardens Café. Attendees engaged enthusiastically in conversations, exploring the future of the translation and interpretation profession. The atmosphere was full of positivity, and our Branch Chair provided updates on AUSIT’s ongoing advocacy work. The day was blessed with beautiful weather and exceptional coffee.
AUSIT PD & EVENTS
- 9 September 2024 – AUSIT NAT Presents: Ethics for Medical Interpreters Series (1 of 2) – Ethics Foundations (Webinar)
- 10 September 2024 – AUSIT TAS Branch: Virtual Meet + Greet for Members
- 11 September 2024 – AUSIT SA/NT Branch presents: Past, Present & Future of our Profession (Hybrid event)
- 11 September 2024 – AUSIT SA/NT Branch Annual General Meeting (Hybrid Event)
- 14 September 2024 – AUSIT NSW Branch AGM & Student Excellence Awards (Online)
- 14 September 2024 – AUSIT ACT Branch Annual General Meeting 2024 (In-person)
- 17 September 2024 – AUSIT TAS Branch Annual General Meeting (Online)
- 17 Sept – 2 Oct 2024 – NAT Presents: Language-Specific Virtual Meet & Greet Sessions (Webinars)
- 18 September 2024 – AUSIT Spanish Division presents: Improving Accuracy and Fluency in English to Spanish Translation and Revision (Webinar)
- 21 September 2024 – AUSIT VIC Branch AGM & Student Excellence Awards (Hybrid Event)
- 21 September 2024 – AUSIT WA Branch AGM & Presentation by Multicultural Futures (In-person)
- 30 September 2024 – AUSIT NAT Presents: International Translation Day Event – Hidden Health & Safety Hazards for Translators and Interpreters: What They Are and How To Avoid Them (Webinar)
- 21-23 November 2024 – The 37th AUSIT National Conference
EXTERNAL PD & EVENTS
AUSIT shares paid advertisements, opportunities for employment and PD, events and calls for papers on behalf of external organisations and individuals. AUSIT does not endorse them or vet them for suitability.
Please direct any enquiries regarding the announcements below to the relevant organisation or the contact email given, not to AUSIT.
T&I Research Cluster Seminar Series at UQ
Another free seminar organised by the T&I Research Cluster in the School of Languages and Cultures at the University of Queensland. Offered in-person and online. All are welcome!
The Indispensability of Intercultural Competence in the Professional Translator
4–5 pm, Friday 13 September
Venue: Room 01-E216, Forgan Smith Building or Zoom online.
Please visit the School of Languages and Cultures website for more information or email Akiko Uchiyama.
15th International Symposium on Bilingualism (ISB15) – The Different Faces of Bilingualism (Kursaal, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, 9–13 June 2025)
CALLS FOR PAPERS / PROPOSALS
Centre for Legal and Institutional Translation Studies (Transius) (conference, submission of abstracts: 2 Sep – 3 Nov)
CALLS FOR PARTICIPANTS
All research projects posted here have obtained the necessary ethics clearance from the appropriate Ethics Committee of their relevant institution(s). It remains the responsibility of each participant to request proof of this clearance from the researcher(s) leading the project.
NAATI-Certified Interpreters with Experience in Dementia Settings Wanted for a Research Project
This study seeks to explore the effectiveness of certified interpreters in facilitating communication between CALD individuals with dementia, their caregivers, and healthcare practitioners. The input from certified interpreters will provide valuable insights into the expectations and needs regarding interpreter services in medical settings. By participating, interpreters will help shape future healthcare policies and guidelines, ultimately leading to better healthcare outcomes for CALD individuals with dementia. This may reduce treatment costs, and unnecessary hospitalisations, and improve their overall quality of life.
The project respects participants’ anonymity and does not collect any traceable data to protect respondents’ privacy. To be eligible interpreters must:
- Be a NAATI-certified interpreter in a language other than English, where certification is available.
- Have work experience in dementia settings.
- Have an open-minded and inclusive approach towards dementia issues.
You can access the questionnaire by clicking here. There are no costs associated with participating in this research project and you will be eligible to claim 10 NAATI PD points for participating in this research.
For any questions relating to this survey or research project, please contact Mojtaba Zokaee by email. Study closes 31 March 2025.
JOBS KIOSK
NAATI is looking for online Armenian role-players
This casual position involves acting out conversations in various roles, such as a customer, defendant, employee or patient, while a test candidate interprets.
You’ll be trained and rehearsed before each test. Tests are video and audio recorded for assessment purposes.
Position requirements include:
Native Armenian language speaker (read, write, and speak clearly)
Good English proficiency
Strong performance ability
Excellent interpersonal communication skills
Team player
Maintain confidentiality
Available during business hours online
(Mon-Fri, 8.30am – 4.30pm)
For more information, visit the NAATI website role-players – NAATI and to apply complete an Expression of Interest at role-player Expression of Interest – NAATI.
NAATI WA is currently recruiting native Arabic, Thai and Vietnamese speakers to become role-players and rehearsal interpreters in interpreter certification tests
Role-players and rehearsal interpreters will need to be available on the upcoming training, rehearsal and tests date which will be in November 2024.
Role-players and rehearsal interpreters will be paid $49.83 per hour (including 25% casual loading) of work. Training time is also paid. Please note that interpreter tests for some languages may only be run twice a year, so this is a very casual position.
Skills required include:
- Good performance ability;
- Ability to read and write in English – this is important as role-players and rehearsal interpreters need to engage with online training, rehearsal sessions and constructive debriefing, all in English;
- And be able to read a role-player script in the Language Other Than English;
- Work well with others in a face to face setting;
- Stable home internet connection and computer to connect to NAATI’s online interpreter test environment;
- Ability to work in an online video-conferencing environment, to work with our Sydney team;
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and security requirements set by NAATI;
- Availability to take on role-playing assignments during business hours;
- Ability to work as part of a team in a respectful manner and be receptive to feedback.
For more information, visit the NAATI website role-players – NAATI and to apply complete an Expression of Interest at role-player Expression of Interest – NAATI.
Western Sydney Local Health District is recruiting Certified Sessional Interpreters
… for a remote role to provides accurate, confidential interpreting services via phone or video for healthcare communication.
All Graduates Interpreting and Translating Services is recruiting interpreters of ALL languages.
2M are looking for NAATI-certified translators and interpreters.
Erika González AUSIT Acting National President
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