AUSIT Conference To Boost Translator and Interpreter Awareness

Translation and interpreting services are crucial in multicultural and multilingual Australia. Over 20% of the Australian population cannot speak English well or at all.

In 2016, the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT) is focussing efforts on raising public awareness of the translating and interpreting profession. These efforts will be discussed at the AUSIT National Conference being held on November 18 in Melbourne.

AUSIT National President, Professor Sandra Hale, stated that “when non-English speakers need to access any essential services, such as medical or legal services, they can only do so if interpreters are provided”.

“Similarly, any written communication also needs to be translated for them to access the information”.

AUSIT is calling on Australian service providers to better recognise the key role translators and interpreters play in bridging communication and cultural gaps between members of the community.

“The public need to understand that only competent professional interpreters and translators can accurately perform this role”.

“In an attempt to save money, many will resort to good intentioned bilingual friends or family who can in fact do more damage than good, as they will misinterpret or mistranslate, add or omit to the original messages”.

“This can produce further miscommunication and misunderstandings, sometimes leading to dire consequences” Professor Hale said.

The conference will provide a valuable forum for exchange between translators and interpreters, agencies and language service users, government departments, tertiary institutions and other industry stakeholders.

Translation and Interpreting Student excellence awards will be presented on the Friday evening.

On Saturday 19 November, the annual Jill Blewett Memorial Lecture will be given by the Victorian minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Robin Scott MP.

AUSIT is pleased to announce that the conference Gold Sponsor is the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI).

Other conference sponsors include - SDL, the Victorian Interpreting & Translating Service (VITS), All Graduates Interpreting & Translating, Ezispeak and ONCALL Interpreters & Translators. The organisation of the conference is supported by Monash University.