No, we are not alone in the translation universe. Generally, professionals providing linguistic services tend to identify the industry they belong to with performing a quite solitary activity and in which sometimes it seems like we are alone in a sea of questions, both formal and about translation. However, although it is true that translation is definitively the result of a chain of services provided by different experts and that, to do so, we absolutely cannot accept that appraisal, since it is not a job that lets us socialise much in our day-to-day life with our colleagues or in which we have an immediate knowledge of the advances in the sector.
Precisely for this reason, in the field of translation, so-called translators associations started to appear. At first, they came about as an immediate need in response to the absence of organisms regulating the profession or recognising their labour. This enabled them to improve the work conditions of their members little by little, strengthening their position in the service market and making known the importance of contracting quality linguistic services for international relationships. Once these bases solidified, these associations became authentic institutions which are a point of reference among translators, many of which (both new and experienced) are unsure if they should be a part of one in particular and what advantages they could gain in them. This is why in this article we will summarise some of the most important advantages offered by translators associations.
First of all, these are interconnected networks with a large number of professionals from the sector for providing linguistic services. Normally, we do not have easy access when we want to get in contact with other professionals or look for specific profiles. Associations let us access a high number of people from all parts of the world, and even access profiles that are not common in our immediate circles. Likewise, this extensive network in which all its members have something to contribute lets us stay up to date with everything that happens in the world of translation: new professional tools, market studies, advances in the industry, changes in the regulations of institutions, etc. Belonging to an association is also being in the middle of current events in the industry; often, conferences or webinars are organised to share news items among the members or to present the development of certain projects or initiatives. All of this lets the members of an association to grow professionally in many directions. In fact, it is common to create specific courses about a subject in particular (the use of machine translation tools, studying international rules, training for translating in certain institutions, etc.) and offer them to the members. Many of these courses are open to the general public, but belonging to an association also gives certain discounts in training plans and activities or events. Likewise, individual contributions are always welcome from interested parties who may have something to contribute to the community and want to share it in the form of workshops, presentations, consulting or volunteer work. This professional growth can reach the next level by issuing official certificates. There are translators associations that offer examinations oriented towards accrediting the quality of the translation services of a professional. This is another reason why it is an interesting idea to consider joining an association which provides the opportunity to obtain a certificate with international recognition, especially in countries where there are no official regulating organisms. Thus, we will also be able to improve our reputation, because in the eyes of third parties it can reflect a marked commitment with working in this profession. Additionally, it is considered a distinctive element among colleagues in the sector. Finally, through this, we continue to contribute in order to give this sector the importance it deserves in the commercial environment. Moreover, an advantage extremely well received by the members of several translators associations is access to legal consulting. This is fundamental because there are many professionals who work as freelance translators or work with other countries and do not know what their obligations and rights are. To do so, they can always search in this interconnected network of translators and find someone who is in their same situation or knows the procedures that should be followed. Of course, these legal consulting services also branch out to managing incidents, cases of fraud, unfair competition, etc. Finally, on the most practical level, we should not forget that translators associations are an excellent resource to promote our services in their portfolio of professionals, since almost all the associations have a directory where anyone can look for language pairs, experience, areas of expertise, etc. To do so, we must think about this association as one more tool to make our way in this highly competitive world. In a parallel manner, there is also the possibility of consulting job offers that are published. On occasion, translator colleagues cannot manage a task and look for a profile that fits their needs. If we consult these publications regularly, they can help us increase our volume of work and, with this, our income.
Translators associations are a reality in the industry for providing linguistic services and, without a doubt, provide very positive things for the community. Any translator who wants to can consult a wide variety of associations and decide to join the association they identify with the most, or the one that benefits them the most. Regardless of this, we should remember that we are a community of dedicated professionals and that constant communication among us and a desire to keep learning is what helps us to keep moving towards excellence.
Picture reference: https://n-o-v-a.com/blog/team-works-together-stays-together/
