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This article is a distilled list of information and comments made during the 2011 Interpreter virtual conference hosted by ProZ.com on July 21, 2011 - http://www.proz.com/virtual-conferences/260/program/6031

July 21, 2011 State of the interpreting industry in 2011

This is a raw history of the chat discussion from http://www.proz.com/virtual-conferences/260/program/6031 these notes will be distilled for easier review, and a list of actionable items will be prepared based on these discussions [09:12:25] Nausi: Hello everyone!
[09:12:29] SoleProz: Hi everyone!
[09:12:35] anmrptr: Hi!!
[09:12:42] Barbara ling365: Hi everybody!
[09:13:17] Parrot: Do we just write our questions or issues?
[09:13:57] gutiez: Hi everybody
[09:14:09] Drew MacFadyen: Hi Everybody - thanks for joining us
[09:14:15] Lorny: Hallo
[09:14:26] mobatiti: Hi!
[09:14:31] Parrot: Hi Drew! How does this run?
[09:14:38] Csilla Benn: Hi from France.
[09:14:40] gutiez: Is there any session at the moment?
[09:14:41] Drew MacFadyen: the topic today was "state of the interpreting industry" - and I have started a ProZ wiki on the topic here - http://wiki.proz.com/wiki/index.php/State_of_the_interpreting_industry_in_2011
[09:14:57] Drew MacFadyen: In case you were not aware, everyone can edit, add to and comment on those wiki articles -
[09:15:16] Drew MacFadyen: it is like a |wikipedia" but only for the translation and interpreting industry
[09:15:17] gutiez: Wiki is interesting, yes
[09:15:26] paroles: Hi All from Russia !
[09:15:37] Drew MacFadyen: if you want to add to that wiki, feel free, or we can just comment here and I will distill that info and add to the wiki for all of us
[09:16:01] gutiez: Can we also chat with voice?
[09:16:10] Drew MacFadyen: So perhaps a quick poll - would you say that your interpreting work has increased over the last year? Are things on the "up"
[09:16:26] mustyle: Hi from US, first time on a virtual conference.
[09:16:34] Drew MacFadyen: voice chat is possible on a private one to one or one to small group basis but not all of us in this room at the same time
[09:16:35] Antonio Fajardo: can we stop the "tin" heard everytime somebody gets in?
[09:16:48] claudiabrauer: Yes, requests for interpreting are increasing
[09:16:49] Antonio Fajardo: same here, from Greece :D
[09:17:02] Drew MacFadyen: Yes, click the little yellow bell to edit sound pings
[09:17:22] Drew MacFadyen: Claudia is getting more work - anyone else?
[09:18:01] Barbara ling365: I have not been in the industry for long
[09:18:10] Barbara ling365: and hear very different opinions
[09:18:20] Parrot: Mine's average. I refused telephone interpreting because the agency wanted to do it over my cell, not the landline. I couldn't guarantee that service.
[09:18:34] ashwingoud: Any idea about growth of interpretation services in Spain?
[09:18:37] Barbara ling365: Doesn't it depend on the language?
[09:18:44] Drew MacFadyen: [Quote] http://wiki.proz.com/wiki/index.php/State_of_the_interpreting_industry_in_2011 [/quote] - smart move
[09:18:46] Parrot: So I'm still with conferences.
[09:18:47] Ayrton: Greetings from Brazil. At least this year (2011) the amount of work has gone down here, in my region (Northeast Brazil). I've been interpreting for 23 years now...
[09:19:04] Palindrome: So, this is a workshop with typing only? No voice, presentations, panels?
[09:19:07] Drew MacFadyen: Ayrton - your business is declining - what do you attribute that to?
[09:19:41] claudiabrauer: Drew - will we have access to the information on this chat later? There are a lot of good questions I would like to answer later, maybe via group email to participants or so?
[09:19:52] Drew MacFadyen: Palindrome, it is a focus group and we have group chat (typing) here - and then individuals can private chat via webcam, voice, and typing - just right click a name and invite to chat private
[09:19:56] adrianazh: 2011 has been a slower year in Costa Rica too
[09:20:01] Drew MacFadyen: Claudia - yes
[09:20:17] Drew MacFadyen: seems like some in Latin America are seeing declines - why do you think that is
[09:20:21] ashwingoud: Dear Parrot, i have been doing telephone interpretation in Spain using by mobile and it works well, though i dont use my personal mobile for the calls.
[09:20:23] Lorny: I haven't been in the interpreting industry for a while but I think it still depends a lot on the area. Some areas are simply in low demand. Am I wrong?
[09:20:48] Parrot: On state of interpreting, the hot issue here (Europe) is Directive 2010/64/EU. Guarantees interpretation services to all in court. There's an unusually long timeline (3 years) fr implementation (2013)
[09:21:19] claudiabrauer: It does not make sense and the people I periodically talk to are getting more work than ever.... LA is "taking away" lots of the work we used to do in USA... so I have no idea... what country specific
[09:21:25] gutiez: 3 years is not unusual
[09:21:27] Palindrome: I'm out of here then.
[09:21:31] gutiez: For EU directives
[09:21:35] Drew MacFadyen: Parrot - what does that guarantee mean - that any non-native will have court provided interpretation
[09:21:45] Ayrton: Hi Drew MacFad... I was carefully hearing Mrs. Brauer's presentation on pricing... maybe I have not reduced my rates to the levels practiced by some colleagues. They are working more.
[09:21:58] claudiabrauer: Costa Rica is the headquarters of Language Line Services... that might be why... they might have gone for the big clients, who are now more interested in phone and video interpreting
[09:22:08] Parrot: EU Directives are usually implemented in 2 yrs. This one's a tough nut to crack.
[09:22:10] Ayrton: Maybe I need to rethink about my pricing policies...
[09:22:41] Parrot: Drew, yes. Any non-native in court/police issues.
[09:22:43] Drew MacFadyen: well Ayrton - thats one option. Another would be specialization
[09:22:58] Drew MacFadyen: wow Parrot - thats huge, should be a big increase in court work
[09:23:05] Drew MacFadyen: who is picking up the bill - government?
[09:23:27] adrianazh: I believe reducing our rates is not the way to go.... for many lawyers, doctors, engineers, etc. the market is growing too (as well as the competition), but they are not reducing their fees...
[09:23:28] Drew MacFadyen: to Ayrtons comment - should he lower his rates, specialize, find a niche - what can he do to get more work
[09:23:28] gutiez: I have a suggestion for the system. The fonts are very small and I tried to zoom them with ctrl and + but everything grows but the fonts of the chat. An issue to take into account for next time
[09:24:00] Lorny: @Claudiabrauer. You should visit SOME parts of Italy!! Anyway, what you said about non on-site interpreting needs make perfect sense. If we go global things are certainly differnet
[09:24:01] claudiabrauer: Healthcare and the courts are going up up up.... "Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services" CLAS - are becoming mandates in many countries... in the USA they are already
[09:24:10] Drew MacFadyen: Thanks Gutiez - i will look in to that
[09:24:11] Parrot: Government. Problem is, it was outsourced. So now the public network of interpreters has protested. No guarantees on qualification.
[09:24:15] Manuela Sampaio: I agree with Adriana, lowering rates is not the best
[09:24:19] mustyle: Regarding EU Directive, what does the number 64 stands for and any link to read about the updateds?
[09:24:21] Ayrton: Could be, Drew... thank you for the suggestions.
[09:24:28] Evelina Tetsman: The European governments have to cut costs, so how are they expected to finance this Directive?
[09:24:58] claudiabrauer: Regarding rates... there is a huge huge discussion in all interpreting and translating communities about not going down in prices... that is OK if you already have the clients that will pay your rate.
[09:25:28] Drew MacFadyen: Yes, this discussion of rates is big now in both translating and interpreting communities
[09:25:29] claudiabrauer: However, if you don't have the clients, you have to accomodate to offer and demand and market rates... or you will cease to exist. That is reality.
[09:25:39] Evelina Tetsman: 10 dollars is below the minimal wage rate in the Netherlands
[09:25:39] Parrot: 64 is for identification. I have the decree but can't find way of uploading. Also have the Spanish "White Book" and the related "jornadas".
[09:25:55] Drew MacFadyen: part of that is a response to the downward pressure and globalization of the workforce - i.e. interpreters in one locale may have a living wage less than another
[09:25:58] Evelina Tetsman: For an unskilled worker
[09:25:58] Manuela Sampaio: True, Claudia, but not by depreciating your work
[09:26:13] Manuela Sampaio: charging rates so low that they barely cover your costs
[09:26:21] gutiez: EU directives are all in INTERNET WWW.eurlex.eu
[09:26:22] claudiabrauer: Qualification and Certification is another huge issue throughout the system. Lots of discussions among many organizations. The industry is unregulated and has no single code. YET.
[09:26:39] Parrot: Thing is, it has to be competitive. If interpreting can't compete with what I make, say, revising, I'm out.
[09:26:54] Drew MacFadyen: one response to this change would be to specialize and find a niche and get more direct clients - differentiate by offering services others cannot, focus on high quality (high rate) work
[09:27:17] claudiabrauer: Cerifications are different in different countries - even in different states. Accreditation agencies have multiple and different standards. We are trying to get to a unified perspective but not yet
[09:27:34] Evelina Tetsman: No young highly-educated people will be willing to work as interpreter at a rate that is lower than the minimal wage
[09:27:36] gutiez: I think also that specializing is a good idea, especially specialize in something you really like
[09:27:37] Drew MacFadyen: other responses could be to work on improving your effeciency (for translators this is easier than interpreters) - but if you work faster, more efficient in theory you can earn more per hour
[09:27:51] Parrot: Done that. Specialization has spelled out a decrease in my workload BUT an increase in my rates.
[09:27:54] adrianazh: the problem is that some of the new people, with no studies or formal training, see interpreting as their way to get some extra money... and as for "old" interpreters, better marketting of your servi
[09:28:04] adrianazh: ces might be better than lowering your rates
[09:28:04] Drew MacFadyen: Hey Parrot- can you elaborate
[09:28:13] Parrot: On what?
[09:28:19] ashwingoud > Nausi: Hi, would like to chat with you on interpretation growth in Spain
[09:28:28] Drew MacFadyen: what you did before, and what youre doing now - specilization wise
[09:28:33] claudiabrauer: I used to translate at 25 cts per word in 95. Today the agencies are paying as low as 5. I only work for the clients I have and because I am older. My coworkers are working at the rates they can ge
[09:28:34] Drew MacFadyen: and how that has impacted earnings
[09:29:15] Parrot: I decided to throw in my lot with my first love - museums and cultural heritage first, then legal. Super-specialized, with PhD.
[09:29:27] claudiabrauer: Same with interpreting. I used to not even leave the house for less than 350 per day. The last couple of years I worked from home for telephone ibterpreting and it was fabulous because of freedom
[09:29:33] Barbara ling365 > claudiabrauer: Ms Claudia, I have just finished and interpretation course and for the whole year I was told by my trainers that I am not supposed to lower my rates
[09:29:56] Barbara ling365: That I would be regarded as a "lower class" interpreter...
[09:30:10] farre: Barbara, I agree with your trainers.
[09:30:21] ashwingoud: Thats true, rates have gone way down in the last decade
[09:30:26] claudiabrauer: ...cont... freedom of schedule... it works now because I am semi-retired... also, many interpreters cannot get assignments due to the economy.... low rates with stable stream of work is an option
[09:30:31] Drew MacFadyen: so parrot - specializing meant that you were able to focus on those jobs you enjoy, and that specialization allowed you to charge a higher rate, but that specialization is less in demand, so you;'re
[09:30:41] Drew MacFadyen: getting a little less wor, al be it at a higher rate - does that sum it up?
[09:30:46] Parrot: So do I. I understand cost-effectiveness, but they also need to make competitive offers.
[09:30:47] farre: If you're not finding clients that are able to pay your rates it only means you're not looking hard enough.
[09:31:06] Drew MacFadyen: Farre - where do you look?
[09:31:12] claudiabrauer: I am taking note of many of the topics here that are very interesting... maybe we could do periodic chat meetings on them... I will try to address some of them at ProZ forums in the coming weeks
[09:31:17] Barbara ling365 > claudiabrauer: But they say that if you charge low rates once you will not get more in the future
[09:31:21] Parrot: Less work at higher rates, yes, that's it in a nutshell. More free time. Less harrassment.
[09:31:23] farre: I created a website and I am getting direct clients
[09:31:38] farre: this is how it works in Brazil. No agencies, thank goodness
[09:31:38] Manuela Sampaio: Farre, you said it all. Most people are suspicious of doctors or lawyers that charge too little, why not of translators or interpreters?
[09:31:40] Drew MacFadyen: @ Parrot - more free time less hassle has to be "worth" something :)
[09:31:43] ashwingoud: but still with big clients, maintaining a rapo is very critical. They still call me despite costing them more than the market average due to quality service and the relationship we share
[09:32:00] claudiabrauer: Quality is of the essence and we are all pushing very hard to improve the quality of interpreting and require certification... we have come a long way but there is a lot to be done yet
[09:32:03] Manuela Sampaio: We have to show our clients that our services are relevant and important, and value them.
[09:32:07] gutiez: Hi claudia, I just started one periodic meeting with translators. It is called mastermind for translators
[09:32:09] Drew MacFadyen: Manuela - you;re right, there is a disconnect between the buyers perception of value and the product delivered
[09:32:13] farre: No interpreting agencies, I mean
[09:32:21] adrianazh: I agree with Manuela... we should value our work. I think phone interpreting is great, I have done it myself, but I hate what they have done to the market
[09:32:49] Drew MacFadyen: There is a disconnect between the buyers of these services and their perceived value
[09:32:55] ashwingoud: i have been doing phone interpretation for the last 3 years but suddenly this year the prices have gone down
[09:32:56] Drew MacFadyen: seems like there is a need for buyer education
[09:33:02] adrianazh: yes
[09:33:05] farre: Thanks Manuela, it's a lot of work, for every 20 estimates I send I close one gig, but at least I am getting what I deserve
[09:33:16] adrianazh: and interpreter education too
[09:33:19] ashwingoud: if it were not for the freedom of work, i was seriously planning to quit
[09:33:19] Drew MacFadyen: I usually call this the "my sister is bilingual - maybe she can be an interpreter/translator" effect
[09:33:23] Evelina Tetsman: There is a disconnect in the self-perception of our own value - by ourselves
[09:33:29] claudiabrauer: Barbara... it all depends on where you live, your language and your specialty... if you can get the work you need to live on at the rates you charge, that is fine... otherwise, you cannot
[09:33:36] Drew MacFadyen: Evelina - how so?
[09:33:44] Manuela Sampaio: Exactly! "Just say no"
[09:33:48] Parrot: You can address client education the way some associations do - MITI or EIZiE, for ex.
[09:33:54] Drew MacFadyen: and more importantly -what can we as a group here today do about it
[09:33:54] Evelina Tetsman: We can not 'sell' ourselves at the right price
[09:34:07] Drew MacFadyen: can we write an article to help educate buyers of interpretation services?
[09:34:12] Barbara ling365 > claudiabrauer: Claudia, thank you for your answer
[09:34:14] adrianazh: yes Evelina, that's what I mean by needing interpreter education
[09:34:14] Evelina Tetsman: I was surprised when Claudia spoke about the investment
[09:34:19] Drew MacFadyen: highlight the true costs and dangers of hiring at the bottom?
[09:34:21] Evelina Tetsman: of about 150 dollars
[09:34:23] claudiabrauer: I am a realist. I am surrounded by interpreters and translators in the real world. I can have a position philosophically about not lowering the rates, but if I am a breadwinner, that is my priority.
[09:34:41] Evelina Tetsman: She did not mention the costs of education
[09:34:47] farre: Hi ClaudiaBrauer, what's your location?
[09:34:55] Parrot: Drew, there's enough material available. We could even republish with permission.
[09:34:58] Evelina Tetsman: and the costs of certification
[09:35:19] Barbara ling365: To everybody: Some say you should be flexible with your rates depending on the situation on the market, others think that you shoul have firm rates so as not to "spoil" the market... What do you think
[09:35:19] claudiabrauer: Farre - miami
[09:35:26] Drew MacFadyen: Parrot - how can we go about capturing and republishing that information? can you send me links?
[09:35:36] Evelina Tetsman: When calculating your own 'price', all economic factors shall be taken into account
[09:35:41] farre: Interpreting is a market highly influenced by local factors, I think.
[09:35:43] Drew MacFadyen: ill work with the canonical owners of the content to get permission
[09:35:43] Parrot: Tell me about costs of education: interpreter training over here is not less than 10,000 euro.
[09:36:01] Evelina Tetsman: including the 'price of substitution'
[09:36:16] adrianazh: Claudia, your comment about lowering your price because you are a breadwinner really concerns me
[09:36:32] farre: How does it work in Miami? You get hired through agencies or through colleagues/direct clients?
[09:36:38] Parrot: MITI has a ready hand-out. So does ATA. I've got the Spanish association's literature.
[09:36:39] claudiabrauer: Farre. That is the truth. Spanish interpreters earn 1/4 of Chinese for example. Interpreters in Miami earn 1/2 of some in California. Court interpreters earn twice as much as business interpreters
[09:37:07] Evelina Tetsman: I would expect that a breadwinner would rather think of increasing the rate ;)
[09:37:16] Drew MacFadyen: OK Parrot - I will comitt to this group to republishing those articles or linking to them as a first step towards client education
[09:37:27] adrianazh: I agree with you, Evelina
[09:37:36] claudiabrauer: Evelina. As I told you, I am at the higher end and have been able to stay there because I have my clients. But I have seen all my peers struggle with decreasing rates and that is a reality.
[09:37:42] Drew MacFadyen: what about your terms and conditions, CV and intro emails - does anyone reference those materials or guides in educating clients?
[09:37:59] Drew MacFadyen: if that material is out there - perhaps we all need to be pointing to it in our T&C's more often
[09:38:07] Evelina Tetsman: Claudia, the reality can also be influenced by us - the interpreters
[09:38:28] Evelina Tetsman: We should not see our market as Buyer's market only
[09:38:34] adrianazh: so, what are we telling the new and young?
[09:38:36] claudiabrauer: Evelina. If you can find the buyer, that is the best you can do. The market has some rates and if you want to work with certain agencies, that is what they will pay you. Do not kill the messenger.
[09:39:01] Evelina Tetsman: a funny thing is, if you need a gardener or a plumber, you don't usually offer him your rate
[09:39:06] Parrot: Drew, the problem is the material is general for T&I. Material dedicated to interpreting is something else.
[09:39:08] Drew MacFadyen: agreed. You are freelance professionals and you should determine your rates
[09:39:17] adrianazh: we do the job, we set the price
[09:39:22] Manuela Sampaio: Evelina, that's exactly it!
[09:39:26] Ayrton: M. E. (Farre) is right. Agencies are a problem in Brazil, but the costs to search for prospect clients might be too high sometimes. Agencies absorb those costs, although we are paid less.
[09:39:28] gutiez: For gardener and plumber is the same thing
[09:39:32] Drew MacFadyen: well Parrot - I can start by capturing it, put it in a wiki and ask the group to edit specifically for interpreting
[09:39:33] Evelina Tetsman: I don't kill the messenger, I just don't like doomsday messages ;)
[09:39:36] Drew MacFadyen: it will be a start
[09:39:45] Manuela Sampaio: Translators and interpreters come out as desperate "I need work, I'll accept anything you offer"
[09:39:46] Parrot: OK, sounds good
[09:40:01] adrianazh: Yes, Evelina, you nailed it
[09:40:03] claudiabrauer: Evelina, true, we can influence the reality. And that is what interpreters all over the world are trying to do. I just think we have a conflict between the reality of the market and the past
[09:40:12] Drew MacFadyen: Manuela - do you find that those desperate get the work?
[09:40:16] mustyle > Drew MacFadyen: what is T and C? About the Directives, I cannot found my question and aswer, somone send me the link for the directives description. This conference is a bit confusing to me, there is no time....
[09:40:28] Drew MacFadyen: is it a race to the bottom, or are there clients that do value quality
[09:40:29] Manuela Sampaio: where we should be marketing ourselves as "this is what I have to offer, for this kind of quality and specialized service, the rate is XXX"
[09:40:36] Evelina Tetsman: Claudia. I agree we need to adjust
[09:40:37] Drew MacFadyen: hi everyone T&C's = terms and conditions
[09:40:50] Evelina Tetsman: Good point, Drew
[09:40:52] gutiez: I think that it is important to get a good marketing coach
[09:40:53] claudiabrauer: Evelina, I have 30 years in the market and that is reality. And the reality is very good if you can adapt to it.
[09:40:54] Manuela Sampaio: Drew, sure, the desperate get the low rate jobs
[09:40:57] Drew MacFadyen: does everyone have terms and conditions that they send over for work? Detailing when they will be paid, conditions, expenses etc
[09:41:23] Drew MacFadyen: Manuela - do the desparate perform well for those clients? will they get more work?
[09:41:52] Barbara ling365: Drew, good point
[09:41:53] adrianazh: if as a group of professionals we cannot agree that we should truly value our work, how are we going to convince the buyer to do it?
[09:42:00] Drew MacFadyen: i suppose there is always a client and vendor for any situation - if you want just the general understanding and if quality is not a major concern, the lower end of the market may be just fine
[09:42:06] Manuela Sampaio: You can earn low rates and perform well, but I think the reality is you won't be able to keep up the quality for too long
[09:42:10] mustyle: In US the T and C are mandate by the state, and in EU?
[09:42:20] claudiabrauer: Interpreters in Colombia are able to work at 1/4 the price of an interpreter in America. Does that lower their quality? No. The price of their work in Colombia is lower than in the USA.
[09:42:21] Manuela Sampaio: specially with interpreting, which is very tiresome
[09:42:31] farre: Hi Ayrton, I think that marketing your services to direct clients is a must. I hear some talk about agencies making inroads in the private market but I don't work for them or feel personally affected
[09:42:39] Parrot: Drew, I can send you the Directive. Any attachments to this chat?
[09:42:48] Evelina Tetsman: Drew, what happens if an agency offers their own T&C which are conflicting with yours?
[09:42:49] adrianazh: Claudia, but that is because you spend differently in Colombia
[09:42:52] Manuela Sampaio: I can't imagine an interpreter working 10 hours a day and doing a good job at the end of it
[09:43:00] gutiez > mustyle: what is T and C?
[09:43:01] claudiabrauer: The cost of interpreters in different countries are different because the cost of living is different. And the agencies are in the marketplace for the bottom line. My peers in Colombia are excellent
[09:43:06] Drew MacFadyen: i dont know if you can send a file - email me at [email protected] parrot (Thanks)
[09:43:18] Drew MacFadyen: T &C = terms and conditions
[09:43:34] claudiabrauer: and they charge 1/4 than what I do. Quality and price are not necessarily together. We have no regional borders any more. I am competing with someone as good as me who works for less
[09:43:37] claudiabrauer: That is reality
[09:43:52] adrianazh: yes, the cost of living is different, but you just talk about globalization
[09:44:02] Drew MacFadyen: I will be posting the history of this chat in to a wiki and then distilling what we discussed to come up with some actionable items
[09:44:27] adrianazh: thank you, Drew
[09:44:27] farre: Hi Claudia, what you mean by no regional borders? Like a market reserve based on location? Distance is a key factor is competition among interpreters.
[09:45:00] Drew MacFadyen: so far those actionable items include: Client education (and how to do it), training and education for interpreters, discussion of location and its impact on rates...
[09:45:05] Evelina Tetsman: Claudia, there was an interesting point in your presentation
[09:45:14] claudiabrauer: Farre. No more. The virtual world is here. I have done interpreting via video for people in Russia and China and the Middle East.
[09:45:20] Evelina Tetsman: about less demand for conference interpreting
[09:45:23] Lorny > claudiabrauer: Claudia can you please repeat some of the sectors with increasing demand of translators after Helathcare and Law
[09:45:24] Drew MacFadyen: ...cont, discussion about whether it is smart to lower ones rates
[09:45:29] Evelina Tetsman: Can you comment more on that?
[09:45:35] mustyle: Claudia, I would like to take and pass the Master level in US mandate by the AOC. Language neutral, is there a semi retired interpreter that can coach me on a one on one basis to prepare for it?
[09:45:52] farre: Oh, I see. Telephone and video interpreting are practically unheard of in my market.
[09:46:01] Drew MacFadyen: Mustyle - try the ProZ.com exchange
[09:46:09] Drew MacFadyen: there is also a mentor program that might work
[09:46:38] claudiabrauer: Lorny - Finance is another sector that is growing by the day as well as "community interpreting" (social services), immigration too
[09:47:08] claudiabrauer: mustyle, I will put the word out and let you know
[09:47:09] mustyle: the mentor you reffer to, is in the Proz? Can you tell me how?
[09:47:30] gutiez: I am also interested in someone with experience to coach me in interpretation. I live near Freiburg, Germany and have English, French and German into Spanish as languages.
[09:47:54] claudiabrauer: mustyle - what language pair?
[09:47:59] farre: Question to all. Do you belong to an interpreters association? Do you feel that belonging to an interpreting association makes a difference in the premium you're able to charge?
[09:48:02] Parrot: Just sent the directive, Drew
[09:48:19] Drew MacFadyen: Thanks Parrot
[09:48:34] Ayrton: Good suggestion, M.E. Even with less work, I still refuse lowering my rates. I'll take into account your suggestions and the suggestions of the other colleagues here not to eventually do that.
[09:48:36] mustyle: yhank you Claudia, I am willing to pay for a really commited coaching deal. It does not have to be my language, Spanish yes, it is so similar, I did it in 1998 with one of the best is was a success.
[09:48:41] Drew MacFadyen: the proz.com exchange is located at http://www.proz.com/?sp=exchange
[09:48:50] Drew MacFadyen: ill have to find the mentor program details
[09:49:16] Evelina Tetsman: I am not (yet) an AIIC member but they are very good as to keeping up the standards and the prices too
[09:49:59] Lorny > claudiabrauer: Claudia - Are intepreters generally hired in the building sector or renewable energies?
[09:50:09] mustyle: thank you Drew. About the Directives, how can I find my question and aswer someone send me some info before? Sorry if I sound inexperience this is my first time
[09:50:26] claudiabrauer: Lorny - good question. I don't know but I will research and let you know.
[09:50:27] Drew MacFadyen: http://www.proz.com/faq/networking.html#proz_com_mentoring_program this is the mentor program page
[09:50:34] Lorny: Thanks
[09:50:41] airmailrpl: what is AIIC
[09:50:43] farre: Hi Evelina, I am a member of my local association and I think that everybody who's serious about interpreting should have that as a goal.
[09:51:02] Evelina Tetsman: The International association of conference interprters
[09:51:27] Ayrton: Answer to M.E. (Farre): Belonging to an interpreters' association has never made the difference, as the ultimate person who pays for my services is in the best person to judge my work.
[09:51:34] Drew MacFadyen: FIT, ATA, BDU, IOL, ITI - there are many many associations
[09:51:47] Evelina Tetsman: Even if you are not a member, you can always refer to their rules when negotiating
[09:52:02] claudiabrauer: I am a member of the National Council for Interpreting in Healthcare NCIHC and I use it as a wealth of information
[09:52:16] Evelina Tetsman: Which I would advise to all colleagues
[09:52:20] Drew MacFadyen: I personally feel that local associations are a smart move as well - get your name out there in as many places as possible
[09:52:22] Parrot: AIIC: Association Internationale des Interprètes de Conférence.
[09:52:25] Evelina Tetsman: We don't have a trade union
[09:52:35] ashwingoud: Is there anything similar in Spain
[09:52:39] Evelina Tetsman: but having some collective body behind us
[09:52:42] ashwingoud: for medical interpreters
[09:52:43] Drew MacFadyen: participation and certification in associations shows that you are professional and comitted
[09:52:53] Evelina Tetsman: stregthens negotiating positions
[09:52:54] Parrot: Trade unions don't make sense with freelancers. We need professional associations with representation.
[09:53:08] Evelina Tetsman: I don't say we need a trade union
[09:53:15] farre: Hi Ayrton, thanks for your answer. Evelina, yes, the conditions, working day length, overtime charges etc are a paramount component of the interpreting fee. If you follow the rules,
[09:53:24] farre: rates get substantially higher
[09:53:28] Evelina Tetsman: but we need to be more collective and solidary
[09:53:30] claudiabrauer: There are actually very large groups that function as trade unions and they are the ones trying to "professionalize" interpreting and educate clients and get to a single certificaton etc.
[09:53:31] Drew MacFadyen: It is odd that there is not a single unified certification body or entity for this industry
[09:53:45] Drew MacFadyen: here in the US you need certification to cut hair, paint toenails and more
[09:53:48] Parrot: I'm a member (representing an organization) of an umbrella organization seeking rep in Spain.
[09:54:07] ashwingoud: oh great
[09:54:08] Parrot: Here you need 51% of the population on census to get that representation.
[09:54:20] Drew MacFadyen: where are you located Parrot?
[09:54:26] Parrot: Spain has some 7000 freelancers on census
[09:54:28] ashwingoud: how could we go about then
[09:54:31] adrianazh: Like Evelina said, how can we expect others to respect and value what we do, if we do not do it ourselves?
[09:54:33] Parrot: Madrid
[09:54:35] ashwingoud: I am really interested in this sector
[09:55:10] farre: Drew, AIIC is generally considered the golden standard in the market. As far as I know, and at least in my market certification is not quite as important as membership to an association
[09:55:37] farre: In Brazil, interpreting is unregulated, you don't need to become certified to sit and work in a booth
[09:55:54] Drew MacFadyen: Farre - is the AIIC well recognized by your end clients - does that grant you more access, opoortunity?
[09:55:58] adrianazh: I often use AIIC's webpage to educate my clients and potential buyers
[09:56:01] Drew MacFadyen: do people ask you about certification?
[09:56:08] farre: Except for legal interpreters, who have to sit an exam
[09:56:10] Parrot: Same situation as MEFarre, but AIIC is important to official institutions
[09:56:12] Drew MacFadyen: Adrianazh = great
[09:56:15] claudiabrauer: Good discussion... thanks all... this is what it is... open different points of view. Have a wonderful rest of the day.
[09:56:18] Ayrton: Well said, Farre. "Should have that as a goal"... The method used by AIIC to admit their members is not based on the interpreter's merit or qualifications, to the extent I know...
[09:56:53] Parrot: There's the hitch about number of hours. When you decide to specialize, that goes down
[09:57:07] Evelina Tetsman: Parrot, you are right
[09:57:09] Drew MacFadyen: right Parrot
[09:57:26] Evelina Tetsman: another thing which is essential, is a recommendation by coleagues
[09:57:29] farre: Drew, I don't think Brazilian clients have the faintest idea what AIIC is, but interpreters do. Unless it's an international conference with EU funding
[09:57:34] Parrot: So in the end I don't work the number of hours required by AIIC
[09:57:40] Lorny: Thanks all for the ideas shared, NIce chat.
[09:57:43] Drew MacFadyen: and in terms of translation, there are tools that one can use to do more per hour - i.e. translate faster, but one cannot interpret faster - there is a physical limit to the efficiency
[09:57:52] Drew MacFadyen: you can only work as fast as the person you're interpreting will allow
[09:57:53] Evelina Tetsman: Good point, Drew
[09:57:54] Parrot: :)
[09:58:15] Drew MacFadyen: while in translation you can do 2,000 or 10,000 words in a day depending on specialty, efficiency , subject matter etc
[09:58:17] farre: Parrot, do you work only in certain interpreting fields?
[09:59:00] Evelina Tetsman: Thankx to everyone, I enjoyed this session! See you later
[09:59:11] Lorny: Bye
[09:59:18] farre: There is emphasis in some areas in my resume, but if I decided to specialize and accept only IT jobs, for example, I would probably go hungry
[09:59:19] adrianazh: Bye all
[09:59:19] Barbara ling365: Thank you all for the discussion
[09:59:49] ashwingoud: I wish everyone a wonderful learning experience at the virtual conference!
[09:59:51] ashwingoud: Bye
[10:00:43] Drew MacFadyen: Thanks for attending everyone. I will work on distilling this chat history in a wiki for us in the next hour
[10:00:58] Manuela Sampaio: Thanks Drew!

July 21, 2011 Certification process for medical interpreters in different countries

[11:33:51] adrianazh: who's moderating?
[11:33:57] Lorny: Hi
[11:33:59] khanzada: No idea
[11:34:05] SoleProz: the topic of this focus group is Certification process for medical interpreters in different countries
[11:34:11] Drew MacFadyen: For those interested in the last focus group we have posted all of the chat history here - http://wiki.proz.com/wiki/index.php/State_of_the_interpreting_industry_in_2011#July_21.2C_2011_discussion
[11:34:22] najn: I guess SoleProz is our moderator.
[11:34:26] Drew MacFadyen: I will be distilling that info for easier consumption and making actionable items from that
[11:34:41] khanzada: You are right
[11:34:45] adrianazh: thank you, Drew
[11:34:46] najn: Thanks for the link to the last fg
[11:34:50] khanzada: Thanks Drew
[11:35:03] Drew MacFadyen: I will do the same for this chat session - post the history, and distill comments.feedback to make action items for the group of interpreters on ProZ.com (if they so chose to participate)
[11:35:25] najn: Excellent.
[11:35:42] khanzada: That will be great!
[11:35:50] Drew MacFadyen: So, who is going to contact Eric and start the IMIA in their country? or State?
[11:36:01] najn: Is the whole focus group going to be based on chat or are we going to be using sound?
[11:36:02] Drew MacFadyen: what locations need this type of governance most?
[11:36:24] adrianazh: What is being done in your countries with regards to certifiying medical interpreters?
[11:36:30] najn: I'd like to start it in Canada ig it's not started yet.
[11:36:35] najn: At least in Edmonton
[11:36:42] Drew MacFadyen: Najn - this focus group has both chat in text and voice/video - this group room is text only, but you can make your own room, invite privately and then use voice and webcam in small groups/private
[11:36:43] adrianazh: Costa Rica needs it
[11:37:01] LMJ: Contact the IMIA if you are interested in becoming a country or state chapter rep at www.imiaweb.org/
[11:37:02] najn: Oh, no, I just want to participate in this particular session.
[11:37:07] Drew MacFadyen: What about the condition of medical interpreting in Edmonton necessitates governance?
[11:37:12] khanzada: I dont know anything about it
[11:37:23] najn: I just wanted to know about this particular session if we will be using sound.
[11:37:30] gutiez: Will the slides of E Candle and the other interpreter be available for us?
[11:37:55] Drew MacFadyen: or phrased another way - what conditions would lend a location/state/country to seek IMIA type governance over interpretation?
[11:38:07] Drew MacFadyen: Re Slides - yes, we will post them to the site soon
[11:38:31] najn: Well, I am not sure if IMIA has any ties with ATIA, which is the Alberta Translators and Interpreters Association.
[11:38:52] najn: They might.
[11:38:57] Drew MacFadyen: I get the impression that IMIA will work with those local organizations
[11:39:03] najn: OK
[11:39:22] LMJ: IMIA is a professional organization that helped found certification in the U.S. but the certifying entity is an independent national board. Each country would have to decide how to govern their own.
[11:39:27] adrianazh: in Costa Rica, for example, there's a lot of medical tourism but no regulations about the need to use CMIs
[11:39:39] gutiez: Does anybody have experience with getting certified by IMIA?
[11:39:44] Drew MacFadyen: Good clarification LMJ
[11:40:00] LMJ: I am certified by the National Board and also a member of the IMIA
[11:40:19] elangdon: I am a little late joining, but as the chair of the NBCMI I can answer questions about national certification!
[11:40:34] Erika Benton: Can I become a CMI in Mexico?
[11:40:39] najn: Glad to meet you elangdon
[11:40:42] gutiez: What is your opinion of the training materials and exams, LMJ?
[11:41:04] gutiez: I mean for IMIA, LMJ.
[11:41:23] elangdon: you can become certified with us (the National Board). If there is no other process in Mexico, employers would probably love to see a certified interpreter from the US (or anywhere)
[11:41:52] Erika Benton: Perfect! Thanks!
[11:42:10] LMJ: The exams are considered valid, fair and challenging. The National Board offers guidance on where to get training, and the IMIA has a registry of training programs
[11:42:17] elangdon: erika, just to clarify, you would have to travel to the US to take the exam, at least for now
[11:42:22] adrianazh: what are the chances of you bringing the exams closer to Latin America?
[11:42:51] Drew MacFadyen: ProZ.com has an office in La PLata Argentina and could help arrange seatings in Argentina and Latin America
[11:42:52] elangdon: for now we are focusing on the US, but the IMIA is looking into Intl certification
[11:42:55] gutiez: What is the difference between the National Board and the IMIA?
[11:43:05] elangdon: that's a great point, Drew!
[11:43:27] Erika Benton: What is the the National Board's URL?
[11:43:42] LMJ: I am wokring on a project for an international job analysis for medical interpreters where each country can use our U.S. survey as a template
[11:44:04] elangdon: the IMIA and the National Board are separate entities. One is a membership, intl organization, and the other certifies medical interpreter. the Natl Board was founded by the IMIA,
[11:44:19] Drew MacFadyen: Thats great LMJ - perhaps reach out to proz.com to help promote and disseminate that information when available
[11:44:22] claudiabrauer: LMJ, what about the NCIHC and the Healthcare Interpreting Certificate?
[11:44:27] elangdon: but the IMIA does not certify -- we do (with their blessing and support)
[11:44:31] adrianazh: where can we find the US Survey, LMJ?
[11:44:33] LMJ: www.certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org
[11:44:52] Erika Benton: Thanks!
[11:44:53] adrianazh: thanks
[11:45:03] gutiez: Well, the ideal would be to have a world system where all interpreters check and are available whenever they are need, on demand.
[11:45:23] gutiez: Interpreters just in time.
[11:45:33] LMJ: Email me at [email protected] for those interested in the international job analysis for medical interpreters
[11:45:51] elangdon: for phone interpreting and video interpreting that is quickly becoming the reality, gutiez
[11:46:45] claudiabrauer: gutiez, I have worked from my home interpreting for clients in Russia, China, Africa and Latin America
[11:46:52] gutiez: Is there any app for medical interpreting?
[11:47:04] gutiez: I mean for Iphone or the likes
[11:47:35] elangdon: HIPAA is a big concern, but there is technology out there that can help
[11:47:50] gutiez: What is HIPAA
[11:47:53] gutiez: ?
[11:47:55] claudiabrauer: There are already apps in the market for interpreting... i understand they are very basic ... but just like Telex 30 years ago...now we have SMS... yes, there are interpreting apps out there
[11:48:14] elangdon: a US law about patient privacy
[11:48:59] elangdon: health insurance portability and accountbility act
[11:49:07] gutiez: I think I did not explain well myself. Are there apps out there which organize interpreting services?
[11:49:36] elangdon: for example, private patient information cannot be emailed w/o patient consent
[11:49:42] Drew MacFadyen: Gutiez - there are some software installations that will allow an agency to begin offering telephone interpreting
[11:49:44] Erika Benton: Claudia, how do you interpret from your house for clients abroad? Using a web cam?
[11:49:52] elangdon: (it's much more than that, of course)
[11:49:52] LMJ: Is there anyone here who is involved in certification in their country?
[11:50:00] Drew MacFadyen: and there are interpreting services management software - much like translation project managemenbt but geared towards interpreting
[11:50:21] adrianazh: I am advocating for it
[11:50:50] claudiabrauer: erika, telephone interpreting and remote video interpreting... through language service providers that have their equipment installed at the facilities... you only need a landline and computer
[11:50:53] najn: I am about to write the exam for associate translator with ATIA, and I can only be certified as an interpreter after I am a certified translator.
[11:51:17] Erika Benton: Thanks, Claudia!
[11:51:36] elangdon: najn, that's an interesting approach. so one needs to be both to become certified?
[11:51:53] najn: At least in ATIA, you do.
[11:52:01] adrianazh: like I said LMJ, I am concerned about Costa Rica's current situation
[11:52:04] Drew MacFadyen: Yes, that is interesting - forcing cert in translation prior to cert in interpreting - the skill sets are quite different
[11:52:05] claudiabrauer: LMJ, what do you think about the NCIHC and the Healthcare Interpreting Certificate?
[11:52:08] elangdon: can you pls remind what that stands for?
[11:52:28] najn: I also think the skill sets are different, but in a way, it makes sense.
[11:52:54] elangdon: got it -- alberta assoc of int and trans?
[11:53:17] najn: Exactly. My apologies, I did not undertand that the question was directed to me.
[11:53:34] najn: Yes, ATIA is the Alberta Translators and Interpreters Association
[11:53:40] elangdon: sorry about that, najn. I am new to group chatting like this
[11:53:45] najn: Me too
[11:54:00] claudiabrauer: National Councl for Interpreting in Healthcare - they work with the Certification Commission for Healthcare Inerpreters and you become a Certified Healthcare Interpreter
[11:54:02] LMJ: There are two programs certifying medical interpreters in the U.S. and the NCIHC supports CCHI. It is good to have certification and the profession is moving forward!
[11:54:22] elangdon: nataly kelly delivered a very ineresting keynote at InterpretAmerica in June
[11:54:58] claudiabrauer: Thank you for the clarification, LMJ
[11:54:59] LMJ: Canada is now participating in our international job analysis and the IMIA and the Global Advisory Council are partnering with organizations there.
[11:55:20] elangdon: nataly *might* be saying that the profession is becoming so blurred in terms of oral vs. written that perhaps (caution here) we should go back to one word
[11:57:10] adrianazh: I think people should be given the chance to certify themselves as translators or interpreters, or both, but taking into account skill sets, I wouldn't make both mandatory
[11:57:35] Erika Benton: I agree
[11:58:10] adrianazh: and I don't think we should go back to one word
[11:59:22] Drew MacFadyen: what would that one word be?
[12:00:01] LMJ: Transterpret?
[12:00:24] gutiez: Ne, intertrans
[12:00:43] elangdon: LMJ, haha i like it!
[12:00:53] Drew MacFadyen: transinterpretation
[12:01:07] elangdon: gutiez, that might be confused with transgeder issues?
[12:01:46] Drew MacFadyen: now that is an entirely different can of worms
[12:02:21] elangdon: yes, drew, and in the medical field we see trans issues a lot that are not translation!
[12:03:17] Drew MacFadyen: the next session - interpreting for the EU is starting at - http://www.proz.com/virtual-conferences/260/program/6035
[12:03:29] Drew MacFadyen: it is going on now....
[12:03:34] elangdon: in all seriousness, i think nataly kelly (@ common sense advisory) mgith have meant to use the word translator/translation for everything
[12:04:00] elangdon: but again, that could be MY interretation of her presentation. you can watch it at interpretamerica.net
[12:04:13] LMJ: Thanks all, I am going back to the main conference!
[12:04:59] elangdon: me, too. any questions for the National Board of Certificatyion for Medical Interpreter: [email protected]

July 21, 2011 separate discussion on certification

[11:39:44] ashwingoud: Hello everyone
[11:40:26] ashwingoud: I have been working as a telephone interpreter for different health agencies in Spain
[11:42:33] ashwingoud: The question I want to raise is, many a times, especially in emergency room situations, should an interpreter remain within the interpretation limits
[11:42:35] najn: Hi, anyone here?
[11:43:08] najn: I have been as close as to the door of the operation room while the patient is still conscient.
[11:43:35] ashwingoud: quite a few times, i have been asked my opinion by the doctors
[11:43:56] Ania79: and what did u do?
[11:44:06] ashwingoud: should this be provided or should one stick to interpret what the patient is saying
[11:44:07] najn: I first was told to wait outside after the patient was being prepared for surgery, but I was actually called to the OR.
[11:44:15] ashwingoud: i see
[11:44:32] ashwingoud: i mostly stick to interpret what the patient says
[11:44:36] khanzada: I have even went inside an operation theatre
[11:44:48] najn: The surgeons were asking particular questions to the patient such as if she knew what was going to be done to her.
[11:45:08] ashwingoud: because it is a very tricky situation
[11:45:16] khanzada: mostly this is what they ask all patients
[11:45:18] najn: As the patient didn't speak English, she couldn't answer any questions, so they had to call me.
[11:45:19] ashwingoud: all the calls are recorded and monitored
[11:45:54] najn: The questions were easy, such as her name, if she was aware of what procedures were going to be performed, and things like that.
[11:46:08] ashwingoud: and hence any mistake or personal opinion resulting in a negative impact, the interpreter is liable for legal prosecution
[11:46:27] najn: When I do interpretation, I refrain of providing any opinions and I let them know that I am only there as an interpreter.
[11:47:31] ashwingoud: simple things are Ok but most of the times, while conductiong Preoperatory preparation, like giving consent for administering aneasthesia, patients do not know what they are signing
[11:47:50] najn: Another difficult situation is when the client asks questions to the interpreter or when us as interpreter notice that the patient could or should be raising a certain point.
[11:48:18] najn: Certainly, patients need to know what they are consentig to.
[11:48:54] najn: In the last case I was in an OR, the patient was even told about billing, what was going to be charged and when they expected payment, as odd as it might sound.
[11:49:04] ashwingoud: sometimes health works simply ask me to tell the patient that they are routine questions
[11:49:47] najn: When they tell you that they are routine questions, does it mean they skip these questions?
[11:49:48] ashwingoud: but i feel, they should be properly informed about any secondary effects
[11:49:56] najn: Of course.
[11:50:29] ashwingoud: most of the times they do read out all questions but sometimes they tend to generalize the questions
[11:52:20] ashwingoud: one more item i would like to comment is how to react in certain situations
[11:53:35] ashwingoud: critical situations when patients or people around the patients who call for emergency help, they become hyper nervous which adds to the difficulty in interpretation
[11:54:03] ashwingoud: on few ocassions, more than interpreter i feel like counsellor
[11:54:06] Drew MacFadyen: To those in this separete group chat - do you mind me making the history public?
[11:54:19] ashwingoud: i dont mind
[11:54:50] Drew MacFadyen: unless i hear an objection, I will intend to post this history in a public wiki - so we can distill good info and action items
[11:55:47] ashwingoud: another aspect is while interpreting in a cosultation with a psychologist
[11:56:25] najn: I've been there too. Sometimes the sessions may involve a lot of very emotional talk.
[11:56:34] ashwingoud: there are so many conversations which need absolute interpretation
[11:56:36] ashwingoud: exactly
[11:56:52] ashwingoud: the conversations run into hours
[11:57:26] najn: In those cases, I prefer to let the patient speak for a minute, and then I tap them in the shoulder so that they give me a chance to interpret what they said.
[11:57:58] najn: There is also a high chance of the subjects being discussed to affect the interpreter emotionally as well.
[11:58:16] ashwingoud: my point here is as an interpreter in any case we deem it is important should we take the liberty to suggest the health care professional about cross cultural topics if required
[11:58:42] khanzada: This thing is very difficult to stop the patient in middle of his/her history as they want to convey it in a go
[11:58:49] ashwingoud: yes
[11:58:57] najn: I wouldn't make any suggestions at all except if they would be necessary for a better interpretation or to do my job properly.
[11:59:09] ashwingoud: but thats were we should enter and prove ourselves
[11:59:19] ashwingoud: very true
[11:59:30] najn: There are cases of people who rant, for example. I have to repeat their name several times in a firm tone of voice,
[11:59:34] khanzada: how many times you have been sucsessful
[11:59:43] ashwingoud: yes
[11:59:59] najn: Sorry Khanzada, successful at what?
[12:00:21] khanzada: i mean stopping the patient in between tyheir histiry telling
[12:00:27] najn: It usually works.
[12:00:30] ashwingoud: i do firm up my tone on many ocassions just to catch their attention because otherwise the patients do not stop
[12:00:47] ashwingoud: but always from a respectful point of view
[12:01:11] khanzada: lucky you
[12:01:13] najn: Sometimes I have to tell them, "Name, you have to give me a minute to let your therapist know what you are saying."
[12:01:32] ashwingoud: it helps on the short run
[12:01:47] ashwingoud: but patients tend to carry away
[12:01:59] najn: What happens, Khanzada, is that the patient is sometimes so focused in their issue that they forget that their therapist is not understanding what they are saying.
[12:02:02] ashwingoud: mostly due to their emotional distress
[12:02:16] khanzada: very true
[12:02:30] ashwingoud: i have another problem
[12:02:41] ashwingoud: specially talking to patients from the opposite sex
[12:02:44] najn: Usually, when you remind them a couple times that you need to let the therapist know what they are saying, they start cooperating.
[12:03:05] najn: What problems do you have when you have a patient of the opposite sex?
[12:03:11] khanzada: No there should not be a problem
[12:03:31] khanzada: You just need to step in their shoes to make them comfortable
[12:03:44] ashwingoud: being a male interpreter, patients specially from Asia are not comfortable to talk to males freely
[12:04:13] khanzada: Like many times I have become a pregnant lady
[12:04:18] najn: Oh, you are right about that, and in this case, you remind me of female patients not wanting to talk to a male therapist or gynecologist!
[12:04:47] ashwingoud: and there are not many female interpreters in the medical interpretation sector in Spain interpreting into spanish from hindi or urdu
[12:05:00] Drew MacFadyen: interesting point Ashwingoud - i had not contemplated patient preferences for male/female and cultural issues to that end

July 21, 2011 Best ways to get the good Conferences!

[13:05:58] Parrot: I volunteer to say it works in translation. Interpreting takes location into consideration
[13:06:26] Leslie MacFadye: Good point Parrot - so when you do go to conferences, what are you reasons for going?
[13:06:30] Erika Benton: No, I haven't.
[13:06:53] Parrot: You mean, when I'm not hired?
[13:06:59] adrianazh: Leslie, you just touch upon two important things (one of which was mentioned this morning): 1) what to do abou those colleagues who do not value their services and give them away pretty much for free?
[13:07:48] Parrot: Sorry, I get confused with working in conferences
[13:08:25] adrianazh: 2) attending a conference to look for clients sounds like a good option, but if there is a team of interpreters already working there, out of good business practices and ethics, forget about handing o
[13:08:30] adrianazh: ut cards
[13:09:25] farre: is the forum running slow?
[13:09:30] adrianazh: very
[13:09:33] Parrot: As for attending translation conferences to get interpreting clients -- you pretty much meet agencies at these events
[13:10:11] adrianazh: is anybody here attending FIT's conference in SF
[13:10:30] Erika Benton: No, I'm not.
[13:10:37] farre: Me neither
[13:11:05] adrianazh: I hope it's good
[13:11:18] Drew MacFadyen: Hi folks -
[13:11:23] gutiez: Hi
[13:11:38] Alyangel: Hello everyone! =)
[13:11:42] Drew MacFadyen: there are a few less people attending this session, so it may appear "slow" - but that could be an opportunity for us to engage more and differently
[13:11:44] farre: Question to all: how many of you use a website and Google Adwords to market your services and what has been your experience?
[13:11:46] gutiez: Is it possible to receive the chats logs of the two last focus groups too?
[13:11:50] Mark Thompson: Good afternoon people!
[13:11:52] Drew MacFadyen: the previous chat histories have all be sorted and pasted here - http://wiki.proz.com/wiki/index.php/State_of_the_interpreting_industry_in_2011
[13:12:12] Drew MacFadyen: its a bit hard to read as it is just raw data , but we will work to distill talking points from that and possibly some action items
[13:12:29] Drew MacFadyen: that wiki has the chat log of all focus groups today
[13:12:35] Drew MacFadyen: and will have this one when we're done
[13:12:48] Alyangel: Thank you that would be really useful
[13:12:57] adrianazh: Thank you, Drew, where can we find the presentations?
[13:13:37] Drew MacFadyen: some of the items that i have distilled are : A need for client education materials, more/better information about certification and how to begin leveraging the IMIA or other assets to achieve the
[13:13:39] Drew MacFadyen: same in your location
[13:13:42] Leslie MacFadye: The presentations can be doung here: http://www.proz.com/virtual-conferences/260/program
[13:13:53] Drew MacFadyen: and also a need for a way for interprters to practice their craft
[13:14:06] Drew MacFadyen: i.e. download a speach, upload an interpretation, receieve feedback
[13:14:37] Erika Benton: Going back to the question, Iive advertised my services, and poeple have contacted me. The problem has been that interpreters willing to charge less have gotten the conferences.
[13:14:45] Erika Benton: Whta do you do in those cases?
[13:14:55] Drew MacFadyen: on the client education side, there are some good starting points - lets together discuss how we can promote or disseminate that info
[13:15:06] Drew MacFadyen: would client education have helped Erika?
[13:15:19] adrianazh: Drew, I think we also o need to work on people's business and work ethics... clients are not the only ones to blame on the low rates and other things
[13:15:32] Parrot: @Erika, sometimes I'm happy to lose certain clients...
[13:15:33] Lenneke: I never lower my rates. I have a certain reputation and wish to keep this. Only for very regular clients I sometimes lower my rates
[13:15:35] Erika Benton: I agree.
[13:15:37] Drew MacFadyen: that is, when someone charges less, does that equate to less quality - what would less quality mean to your business
[13:15:39] farre: I think client education is overrated. Marketing and selling skills are more important
[13:16:11] Drew MacFadyen: Farre - what marketing/selling skills do you employ (and BTW, I do not disagree with you - slick sales skills can win just about anything)
[13:16:19] GemmaLB: Hi, I think introducing global standards into the industry would help
[13:16:21] adrianazh: I am also against lowering my rates
[13:16:29] Alyangel: As regards to practice, are you aware of any volunteering opportunity for language pair English < >Italian? Thank you in advance. And what are your marketing strategies?Website, ads?
[13:16:29] Lenneke: If people or companies want a good job done, they are willing to pay for this
[13:16:37] farre: The client could care less whether the other vendor is dumping the market. What you have to do is put yourself in a good light and get the deal
[13:17:33] Mark Thompson: I personally think it's a combination of marketing skills + client education that can get you the job, and recommended to others
[13:17:37] farre: Drew, I am still learning. We set up our website a year and a half ago and our close rate is improving gradually with no lowering of prices
[13:17:56] farre: I tend to use very targeted communications with reasonable results
[13:18:05] Csilla Benn: So what about preparing for that conference that you got a deal for?
[13:18:15] Lenneke: In any case most iof my work is for the courts and the police and they have fixed rates, so no bargaining. Just do your job as it should be done and they will continue giving you work
[13:18:19] gutiez: Volunteering for example in translators without borders
[13:18:32] saraarcobin: Recently I lost some interpreting jobs exactly because I did not want to accept the low rates I was offered.
[13:18:38] Parrot: Lenneke, where are you based?
[13:18:45] Alyangel: Thank you gutiez
[13:18:45] Lenneke: In the Netherlands
[13:19:24] Drew MacFadyen: Farre - glad to hear that you are able to increase closing percentage while holding firm on rate - you're doing something right
[13:19:27] gutiez: You can contact Proz for this
[13:19:28] Erika Benton: Who's hosting the chatroom?
[13:19:29] Parrot: I asked because there's a tendency here in Spain and in the UK to outsource to agencies. No one wants to handle the managing aspect
[13:19:37] Lenneke: I guess that if I would not have sufficient work to survive I would lower my rates
[13:20:14] Drew MacFadyen: I think of client education less about informing of others dumping rate, but more on informing the buying public that there are differences to the services, and how/why your service is/should be value
[13:20:40] Drew MacFadyen: Erika - the chat room is here on ProZ.com, using an application - Flashcom
[13:20:42] farre: Well, Drew, I guess all those marketing and sales seminars I interpreted are being put to good use. You can learn a lot in the booth. Another thing that I think is important:
[13:20:45] Drew MacFadyen: was that your questino
[13:20:53] farre: targeting the right client
[13:21:00] Drew MacFadyen: absolutely Farre
[13:21:11] Lenneke: I must say that the courts and justice do not pay too well, some of the rates have been the same for 30 years. They do not outsource because they want to use the interpreters they know.
[13:21:19] farre: There are some estimate requests we get that I know right off the bat, this is just a waste of time
[13:21:27] Mark Thompson: Agreed Drew - I always emphasise to clients that the success of their event depends very much on the quality and preparedness of the interpreter..
[13:21:41] Alyangel: Anybody based in Italy could share their experience related to rates and finding clients maybe? =)
[13:21:41] Drew MacFadyen: And targeting the right client based on your service offering - there is room at both ends of teh spectrum
[13:21:55] Parrot: Lucky you. We're being cornered.
[13:22:10] Drew MacFadyen: let's pose that question - where do you find clients? ProZ.com, your own site, google adwords?
[13:22:14] Lenneke: I also work for an agency and through them I sometimes get new private clients.
[13:22:35] farre: I think that high touch is important too. I email, I call, I go to meetings. It's hard to hire an interpreter only through the web
[13:22:58] gutiez: I have initated a group to help each other with translation marketing. You can contact me at [email protected] We meet once every 15 days.
[13:23:08] Parrot: Drew: from referrals. A job well-done is by itself a good ad.
[13:23:09] GemmaLB: It's very difficult to get signed up by agenccies tho if you don't have much experience
[13:23:16] Drew MacFadyen: Farre - thats interesting, I would have assumed that a lot of the telephonic and internet interpreting would necessitate hire without seeing the person
[13:23:17] farre: Google organic and Google Adwords, although Google Adwords is pretty expensive for some interpreting key words
[13:23:20] adrianazh: I guess we all come to the point where we have to ask ourselves as professionals, do I want to be hired because I am "cheap" or because I am good and people are willing to pay for my quality
[13:23:33] Lenneke: I fully agree
[13:23:36] Drew MacFadyen: agreed Farre - adwords pricing can quickly run out of control
[13:23:40] Csilla Benn: The translator is a somehow unvisible person compared to the interpreter who will be on the assignemnt in person, so, yes, a personal contact helps a lot!
[13:23:40] farre: Drew. in my market is all conference or liason interpreting
[13:23:48] Drew MacFadyen: what keywords are you targeting (if you dont mind sharing)
[13:24:01] Mark Thompson: I work for a linguistic solutions company specializing in mining and iron ore processing in Brazil, and a lot of my interpreting work comes from them - meetings, visits, courses, etc - good word of mo
[13:24:08] Drew MacFadyen: can you post a link to your site - we'd all love to see what you're doing right - clearly you're doing something right :D
[13:24:20] farre: I segment by region and have a long list of keywords
[13:24:40] Drew MacFadyen: long tail terms certainly are easier to go after
[13:24:40] farre: but I cannot afford to run permanent campaigns, it's just too expensive
[13:25:44] mustyle: I cannot hear, anyone can help?
[13:26:19] Alyangel: could you be so kind to tell me where I can find the course material of "How to become an EU interpreter" please? sorry for being off-topic
[13:26:22] Evelina Tetsman: Hi everyone
[13:26:25] Drew MacFadyen: There is no voice in this room
[13:26:46] Drew MacFadyen: this room is type/text only - but you can start a new room, private invite people and then use webcam and voice if you like
[13:27:01] farre: Sure. It's www.voicelink.com.br (disclaimer, I don't like the translation into English of parts of my website, but haven't had time to review so far)
[13:27:15] mustyle: the question posted by alyangel was answered in the Hiristina session.
[13:28:09] mustyle: I do not know how to start a new room. thanks
[13:28:46] Parrot: Click on the "rooms list" tab and create one
[13:28:49] Drew MacFadyen: You have a very nice looking site
[13:29:12] farre: Thanks Drew, we worked very hard at it. Over a year working with a professional developer
[13:29:34] Drew MacFadyen: its clean, easy to nav - you succeeded
[13:29:35] farre: I think it helps convey a professional idea.
[13:29:55] Drew MacFadyen: is it just you and your partner? Thats a very professional looking site - makes you look like a much bigger company
[13:30:25] Drew MacFadyen: you may wish to consider ProZ.com corporate instead of professional(freelance) membership - could help promote your site a bit more
[13:30:32] farre: Yes, just me and my partner
[13:31:04] Drew MacFadyen: Kudos to your continued success
[13:31:37] farre: I'm not really interested in attracting American or US-based market. There are few conferences being organized in Brazil by them.
[13:31:49] Drew MacFadyen: there have been some advances in VoiP telephony that allow smaller opperations like yours Farre to invest in a bespoke telephonic interpretation system - so you could offer telephone interpretation
[13:32:24] farre: My focus is on the local organizers
[13:32:26] Drew MacFadyen: thats smart - specialize. The competition from big US entities like languageline, and LSA would be tough to beat
[13:32:53] farre: But Drew, isn't telephone interpreting a low-paying market? I'm not really interested in that
[13:33:28] Drew MacFadyen: yes, that is lower than conference interpreting - i was thinking if you were interested in markets beyond Sao Palo - sounds like that is not your best move
[13:34:29] adrianazh: yes, it is a low-paying market... and it makes people think anyone can be an interpreter
[13:34:37] Parrot: The problem with tech cost-effectiveness is, it doesn't really meet what we're earning right now. So it seems a time investment that doesn't pay.
[13:34:40] farre: São Paulo has a huge conference interpreting market. Largest in Latin America
[13:35:11] farre: I would love to get more jobs in other regions in Brazil, though
[13:35:46] adrianazh: I love the way things are handled in Brazil... you are well-payed, have 6-hour work days and no middlemen
[13:36:08] Parrot: Don't get the word out...
[13:36:14] farre: But as I said in a previous chat, conference interpreting is strongly influenced by location
[13:36:14] GemmaLB: What language combinations are in demand in Brazil apart from the obvious?
[13:36:17] mustyle: I created a room, nothing at all happens. I still cheerish in person conferences!
[13:36:22] Evelina Tetsman: Has anyone noticed an ongoing decline in conference interpreting market like Claudia mentioned in her presentation?
[13:37:01] Parrot: I've noticed a decline in travelling assignments.
[13:37:12] Drew MacFadyen: Mustyle - you need to invite people to the room as well
[13:37:19] Parrot: People prefer hiring locally (logical)
[13:37:26] farre: Gemma, in Brazil it's Portuguese, English and Spanish. We have a very tough time finding oriental languages, for example. German, French and Italian on occasion
[13:37:33] Drew MacFadyen: Mustyle - is your room "carmen"
[13:37:35] mustyle: How come the less litterature producing cultures are better organized in translation and interpreting!!
[13:38:08] mustyle: yes. Carmen and what do I do next. Sorry for the inexperience!
[13:38:11] farre: Parrot, agree, hard to get travelling assignments, I think it's because there are more interpreters in more cities these days
[13:38:24] Drew MacFadyen: getting caught up - looks like we should all move to brazil.....
[13:38:32] Evelina Tetsman: But as to the number of conferences and similar events?
[13:38:33] adrianazh: maybe in the States, but as a whole, the problem is not a reduction in the number of conferences, but the rates that some people are charging (and the fact that some are willing to work solo all day)
[13:38:37] Evelina Tetsman: Is it oing down?
[13:38:44] Parrot: I kinda welcome it. Not my bag to go traipsing in hot Almeria for 6hours before meeting the clients
[13:38:50] Drew MacFadyen: in the US at least, the # of conferences is definitely down
[13:38:57] Lenneke: Here a lot is done by video conferences, you are in one place and communicate with people in a different country.
[13:39:04] farre: I think that in the States there is this problem of English as a lingua franca
[13:39:13] Drew MacFadyen: the economy here has not fully recovered and there are less conferences, and likely less international visitors that need interpretation
[13:39:15] Evelina Tetsman: Drew, do you think, crisis is the reason?
[13:39:24] Parrot: Videoconference is the word
[13:39:27] Evelina Tetsman: Is it temporary or long-term?
[13:39:32] Mery Lo: hi i just joined and have also send a funny story to the contest, do have a listen, its the last one on the list.
[13:39:35] Manuela Sampaio: I also imagine that, in th US, there are not so many international speakers at conferences and, when they are, most probably are fluent in English
[13:39:36] Drew MacFadyen: if an organizer had been providing interpretation services as a benefit to attendees, and when the times are tough - i bet that is one of the items they cut first
[13:40:09] Drew MacFadyen: Evelina - the crisis has had an impact, the question is - will it ever return, or are these crisis changes going to be the "new norm" .... I suspect the latter
[13:40:25] farre: Exactly Manuela, and few organizers would be inclined to offer other languages for a handful of conference participants
[13:40:27] Evelina Tetsman: Yes, things will never be the same again...
[13:40:32] Parrot: And the travelling assignments out (some interesting ones, though) are in chuchotage or escort
[13:40:50] Drew MacFadyen: Fare - I am not familiar with the term lingua franca - what do you mean
[13:40:50] farre: I'd be interested to hear about the market in Germany, what's it like there?
[13:40:50] Mery Lo: yes, rate has been going down for a while now, i know serveral interpreting agencies recruite local interpreters to save paying travelling expenses.
[13:41:03] Parrot: I agree. I rather enjoy videoconferences
[13:41:09] farre: The universally accepted and spoken language
[13:41:27] Evelina Tetsman: Has anyone here interpreted at a videoconference?
[13:41:36] Drew MacFadyen: Videoconferencing has gotten really big - GoToWebinar, Webex, now facebook has skype, and Google+ has a video conf feature - hangouts
[13:41:37] Evelina Tetsman: Is it supposed to be simultaneous?
[13:41:40] Mery Lo: i also like virtual conf, its so convenient
[13:41:44] Parrot: I'm with the German market only partially. It's the healthiest one over here. You mostly need German, tho
[13:41:48] Drew MacFadyen: Ah yes - thanks Farre
[13:41:49] adrianazh: I don't know why we have to charge differently for video than for on-site... if traveling expenses were considered separately... we are still interpreting accurately, completely and preparing in advan
[13:42:07] farre: In Brazil and other countries we have the benefit of poor education, few people speak English well enough to attend conferences, simo is a must
[13:42:14] Drew MacFadyen: English is definitely the language of business, but dont underestimate the desire for non-natives to consume language in their native tongue
[13:42:24] Lenneke: I did, for the court, questioning witnesses, suspects etc. I don't like it that much but it is far more efficient than travelling to the other end of the world
[13:42:26] Drew MacFadyen: there are locations in the US where English is almost NEVER spoken
[13:42:35] Parrot: I'm willing to charge less for not travelling...
[13:42:48] farre: I haven't done videoconferencing, only conference calls, mostly financial results announcements, they are very difficult
[13:42:58] Lenneke: Don't they pay you for the time you are travelling?
[13:43:01] Drew MacFadyen: spanish residents can consume newspapers, radio, TV all in Spanish - markets, mercados all cater in their language - but when they need medical or legal assistance, interpretation is needed
[13:43:07] Mery Lo: I have done some video and telephone interpreting, its fine.
[13:43:09] Evelina Tetsman: Is it simultaneous?
[13:43:13] farre: the fact that you're not in the same room as the speaker is just awfully hard
[13:43:34] Lenneke: I can't do it simultaneously.
[13:43:50] Evelina Tetsman: Why not? Is it not possible technically?
[13:43:55] Parrot: They do (I ask 60% for travelling) but that also makes my offers less competitive.
[13:43:59] Mery Lo: NOt as such, someone speaks and you must wait until they finishes before you translate the content.
[13:44:11] Evelina Tetsman: OK, conseqtive
[13:44:15] Drew MacFadyen: Good point Mery Lo
[13:44:23] farre: and sound quality is tricky too.
[13:44:23] Lenneke: We get half for travel time.
[13:44:28] Mery Lo: Thanks, Drew,
[13:44:33] Parrot: I agree, farre. I'm also dependent on something physical.
[13:44:35] Lenneke: Absolutely true
[13:44:42] Evelina Tetsman: Sound quality is a problem
[13:44:43] Drew MacFadyen: that happens without interpretation -speakers on a video conference are always stepping on one anothers comments due to the delay in communication
[13:44:53] Drew MacFadyen: that would make simultaneous almost impossible
[13:45:14] adrianazh: that's what I am saying, there is a charge for our services, regardless of when and where, and then there are the other charges (like per diem). So, why are we being asked to lower our "basic" rate?
[13:45:17] Drew MacFadyen: or rather you would need some set up where the attendees have audio in two ears, one is the other attendees and one is the interpretation
[13:45:21] Lenneke: If you look at a person's mouth when he is speaking it is just not the same as the words you hear
[13:45:35] Mery Lo: Hey, I just submitted a rather not so funny story on the story contest, its the last one on the list, do have a listen............................took me a while to record it.
[13:45:41] Parrot: Sounds fine Lenneke. I only upped mine to 60% because of my translation rates (it has to be "lost opportunity" equivalent)
[13:45:58] Drew MacFadyen: a loss leader Parrot?
[13:46:15] Lenneke: Yeah it's not bad, but how are the hourly rates in your country then?
[13:46:35] Parrot: adrianazh: not the basic rate. Just cut out the per diem and hassle fees
[13:47:00] Lenneke: We are paid by the hour
[13:47:18] Parrot: Drew, travel time has to compensate for lost business
[13:47:26] Mery Lo: I never do by the hour, its either half or full day rate.
[13:47:34] gracemex: Hello all, ¿what's suppossed to be the more convenient type of interpretation for a conference call with few people?
[13:47:42] adrianazh: But Parrot, people are lowering their basic rate... otherwise they wouldn't be charging $10/hour for OPI or VRI
[13:48:01] gracemex: I am starting on themm..I did one , topic was not difficult
[13:48:16] Parrot: Lenneke: so are we. But we're paid by an outsourcer, so I maintain my own rate scale. They call me when they're really desperate, I can tell
[13:48:17] gracemex: but it turned out to go from consecutive to simult.
[13:48:43] airmailrpl: Just lost a three day consecutive Interpreting job because the client would not pay the travel expenses and per diem
[13:48:53] Mery Lo: yes, i can called for a job just two hours from the time i received the call and i usually say no,
[13:49:02] Drew MacFadyen: Duh Parrot - I was not following. Thanks
[13:49:13] GemmaLB: gracemex: It would probably depend on the languages. If there were any more than 2, I imagine consec would become very time-consuming
[13:49:19] farre: Well, too bad for your client. I don't understand how anyone cannot charge for either.
[13:49:20] Lorny: Please can we go back to "Where to look for conference opportunities" and how to "advertise?" Rates are are major problem for all of us but let's try to go a little step ahead
[13:49:22] Parrot: adrianazh, I don't see how $10/hour can square as a basic rate. I make 5 times as much revising. Don't people do the maths?
[13:49:54] Mery Lo: when rate is too low, i say no, not worth my time.
[13:50:06] adrianazh: exactly, but that's what over-the-phone companies are paying
[13:50:12] farre: $10/hour also sounds beyond the pale to me
[13:50:14] Parrot: Drew, I responded to your "loss leader"
[13:50:37] farre: It's way below translation/review rates. Might as well stay at home and do nothing
[13:51:04] farre: Adriana, just say no thanks, but no thanks
[13:51:11] Mery Lo: i totally agree, when rate too low, i stay home and get on with my writing.
[13:51:27] Parrot: Tell them to be competitive, I'm not the only one trying :D
[13:52:22] Parrot: Back to the topic? Where to get clients...
[13:52:42] Mery Lo: that is the golden question.
[13:52:58] farre: Parrot, nothing beats a referral from someone you know, flesh and bone
[13:53:06] Parrot: We said, website. I said, do a good job and get referrals. What else?
[13:53:11] Mery Lo: i have advertised in local newspaper before and got clients that way but v.expensive.
[13:53:15] Alyangel: Yes clients and advertising themselves. Looking forward to hear your tips!
[13:53:22] farre: Give your card out to everyone you meet
[13:54:02] Csilla Benn: Do your clients take time to give some feedback on your services, translation or interpreting?
[13:54:22] Parrot: Only sometimes. I appreciate it, tho
[13:54:44] Parrot: Oh, but you'll hear about complaints
[13:54:46] farre: I always ask and I'm thinking of sending out a form together with my invoice
[13:54:56] Parrot: nice one!
[13:55:04] Csilla Benn: My feeling is they are happy when the job is done, and they are on ither projects and don't have time to give any feedback
[13:55:11] farre: Well, complaints will always be part of our business
[13:55:19] GemmaLB: how about getting work from agencies?
[13:55:28] Mery Lo: that is v.true, they pay but ref is too much hassle for them.
[13:55:36] Drew MacFadyen: form for feedback is smart - haveyou considered using ProZ.com WWA system
[13:55:42] Drew MacFadyen: WWA= wilingness to work with again
[13:55:43] Parrot: That's sometimes only. I think they're limited
[13:55:55] Csilla Benn: I've sent out several questionnaires with or after the invoice, radio silence. No news is good news, and eventually they come back six months later.
[13:56:11] Drew MacFadyen: it s a feedback system that you can use free of charge - the feedback that is allowed at this time is only positive
[13:56:16] Parrot: That's good news to me
[13:56:17] Csilla Benn: Yes through Proz it works, but direct clients are just too busy
[13:56:40] Drew MacFadyen: so it does not neccessarily provide you with the critical feedback you may want to improve, but shows a potential client that you have many happy references and past clients that would hire you again
[13:56:46] Parrot: Kidding? I got a client feedback 2 years after the fact!
[13:56:55] Alyangel: One of my clients found the WWA system too complicated and did not want to register
[13:57:21] Drew MacFadyen: Alyangel - really, thats too bad, I will have to have our team take a look at it
[13:57:22] Csilla Benn: That's encouraging, Parrot. They still remembered you.
[13:57:29] Drew MacFadyen: did you have specifics as to what was too complicated
[13:57:31] farre: Csilla, it's ok, that's how it works. Some organizers also hand out evaluation forms with a question about the interpreting service. I would love to get my hands on that too.
[13:57:45] Mark Thompson: On that note - I always get feedback before I walk out of the event at the end - difficult, but not impossible.......I also, using very subtle and diplomatic means, ensure that I am "educating" the
[13:57:48] airmailrpl: >clients found the WWA system too complicated and did not want to register
[13:58:06] airmailrpl: also happened to me
[13:58:11] Parrot: I think, Drew, it's the general impression that after logging into a site you begin to receive spam
[13:58:16] Csilla Benn: French love to evaluate.
[13:58:20] farre: The participants opinion is SO important. I always talk to my organizer midway trhough the conference to check whether she has heard any feedback from the participants
[13:58:36] Mark Thompson: organisers throughout - during breaks, meals - I'll go to dinner with them in my own time if I have to - of course some are more accessible than others
[13:58:59] Drew MacFadyen: hmm - very interesting
[13:59:06] Mark Thompson: but I think that you can't do enough of this education and going after feedback - difficult - not impossible though
[13:59:08] Parrot: Good idea, talk to the organizer midway
[13:59:17] Aksu-Translator: Hi to all. For new entrants it's not easy to get the clients, like in any market. Clients are with well-known translators who have never left this market and witg students-volunteers.
[13:59:34] gutiez: I have an idea about how to qualify for a translation job. Maybe it is not so interesting for an interpreting job unless there are searchable depository. The idea is to put in a depository the TMs of
[13:59:40] Drew MacFadyen: on the one hand we need some preliminary information on those WWA feedbacks - i.e. anonymous WWA is not valuable. Perhaps we should look to allow a "quick registration" with some data on SPAM etc
[14:00:02] gutiez: a translator an see which translator fits better with the job, according with his TM
[14:00:17] farre: A new entrant's best client is a swamped interpreter
[14:00:24] Drew MacFadyen: hi Gutiez - this is something others have been doing, and ProZ.com may seek to do in the future
[14:00:47] Drew MacFadyen: a repository of KNOWN work (TM) is likely a very good data point as to whom is best to hire for the current job - how to do that in interpreting
[14:00:55] farre: someone who needs to staff a booth when everyone is busy. that's how I got in the market.
[14:01:04] gutiez: Of course, it is interesting always together with WWA, because just matching says nothing about quality
[14:01:23] Parrot: A swamped interpreter - so true!
[14:01:51] gutiez: Depository of speech material
[14:01:59] gutiez: In the cloud
[14:02:12] gutiez: searchable through Dragon or the like
[14:02:15] airmailrpl: >that's how I got in the market.
[14:02:18] gutiez: Everything is possible
[14:02:26] farre: Yes, this is the rule here in Brazil. My interpreting instructors were also fundamental in my career path
[14:02:28] airmailrpl: must have been scary the first time
[14:02:31] Drew MacFadyen: True enough Gutiez
[14:02:55] farre: they made the first introductions, invited me to the first events, had faith in me. today we work side by side
[14:02:58] gutiez: It is just, somebody must organize it
[14:03:04] Parrot: It's always scary the first time (and sometimes also the second)
[14:04:50] Parrot: Are we off now?
[14:05:12] farre: I think the chatroom is still on
[14:05:16] gutiez: no, es que pasó un ángel
[14:05:25] Drew MacFadyen: This session is supposed to end now , yes, but we can keep it open a bit lkonger if people wish to continue chatting
[14:05:25] farre: :)
[14:05:58] Parrot: Up to you guys. Any other tips on finding clients welcome :D
[14:05:59] Drew MacFadyen: Gutiez - i like the idea, ProZ.com is considering items like that - just a matter of assigning the labor and resources at the right time and not detracting from our day to day opperations
[14:06:05] gutiez: Wil we get the chat log, Drew?
[14:06:16] gutiez: chat history
[14:06:17] Drew MacFadyen: yes Gutiez, it will be in the wiki when we're done :)
[14:06:36] gutiez: not per email?
[14:06:43] gutiez: please....
[14:07:10] airmailrpl: >it will be in the wiki when we're done __how do you access it??
[14:09:33] Alyangel: Thank you Drew. so basically all contents and resources are in the wiki. Could you give us the link again?
[14:09:43] airmailrpl: how do you access the wiki??
[14:11:26] SoleProz: See http://wiki.proz.com/wiki/index.php/State_of_the_interpreting_industry_in_2011
[14:11:31] Drew MacFadyen: http://wiki.proz.com/wiki/index.php/State_of_the_interpreting_industry_in_2011
[14:11:36] Drew MacFadyen: oops - sole beat me to it
[14:11:57] Drew MacFadyen: all you have to do is click the link (and be logged in to ProZ.com) - anyone can edit and update
[14:12:08] Drew MacFadyen: the wiki is only the chat history
[14:12:35] Drew MacFadyen: the session recordings and handouts will be accessible from those individual session pages - like this -http://www.proz.com/virtual-conferences/260/program/6035
[14:12:45] Drew MacFadyen: some of the handout materials are not available yet, but all recordings are
[14:14:04] SoleProz: you may also want to check the featured article in the wiki: http://wiki.proz.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page on Healthcare interpreting - anyone can edit and update