Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Translation & Interpreting Services
Founded in 1959, we are the largest professional association of translators and interpreters in the United States. Our mission focuses on promoting recognition of language professionals, establishing ethical standards, and advocating for the industry. With members spanning over 100 countries, we provide certification programs, educational resources, and networking opportunities to advance careers in translation and interpreting.Our organization emphasizes the critical role of human expertise in cross-cultural communication, actively opposing the replacement of professionals with AI in legal and medical contexts. Through our Language Services Directory, we connect clients with qualified professionals while offering members 24/7 promotion and business development tools.
Services
Translation Services
Interpreter Services
Certification Programs
Member Resources
Advocacy & Outreach
Details
- Year established: 1959
Highlights and features
- We have over 60 years of experience advancing translation and interpreting professions
- Our certification program sets industry standards for translation competence
- We actively advocate for human interpreters in legal and medical settings
- Our global directory connects clients with 7,000+ vetted language professionals
- We provide specialized business resources for language industry professionals
What people say
Huge source of information
Professional bridge
Home for serious professionals
Career advancement
Directory pays for itself
Services
Translation Services
Professional translation services convert written content between languages while maintaining technical accuracy and cultural context. Our certified translators handle legal, medical, technical, and business documents. Clients benefit from precise communication that preserves the original message's intent and nuance.
Interpreter Services
Certified interpreters facilitate real-time communication across languages in medical, legal, business, and conference settings. Our professionals ensure accurate message delivery while maintaining ethical standards and confidentiality in critical interactions.
Certification Programs
Our rigorous certification exams validate translation competence through practical assessments. The CT designation demonstrates expertise in specific language pairs, enhancing professional credibility and career opportunities for qualified translators in the U.S. market.
Member Resources
Comprehensive resources for language professionals include business tools, educational webinars, networking opportunities, and marketing assistance. Members gain 24/7 directory promotion and specialized division support for career development in translation and interpreting fields.
Advocacy & Outreach
Active advocacy campaigns protect professional standards and promote human expertise in language services. Our initiatives educate policymakers and clients about the risks of AI replacement in critical translation and interpreting roles.
People
Adrian Aleckna
Executive Director
Manages ATA operations with 20+ years of association leadership experience. Focuses on strategic development and member service improvement.
Caron Bailey
Certification Program Manager
Administers certification programs with expertise in professional credentialing systems. Ensures exam integrity and compliance with industry standards.
Kathryn DeVito
Membership Director
Oversees membership development and division relations. Develops programs to enhance member engagement and professional networking opportunities.
Inge Hafkemeyer
Events Manager
Coordinates professional development events and conferences. Designs programs that address current industry challenges and skill development needs.
Jeff Sanfacon
Publications Manager
Manages publication programs that deliver industry insights and educational content. Focuses on creating resources that enhance professional practice standards.
Questions
What's the difference between translators and interpreters?
Translators work with written text while interpreters handle spoken language. Both require specialized training to ensure accurate cross-language communication.
Why hire a certified translator?
Certified professionals demonstrate proven competence through rigorous exams. They adhere to ethical standards and provide reliable translations for official purposes.
Can I use machine translation instead?
Machine translation works for basic understanding but lacks nuance. Professional services ensure accuracy for legal, medical, or business-critical content.
How are translation costs determined?
Pricing varies by language pair, subject complexity, and deadline. Professionals typically charge per word or project, with interpreters billing by time spent.
Do you offer emergency language services?
While we don't provide direct services, our directory connects clients with professionals who offer urgent translation and interpreting assistance.
How to verify a translator's credentials?
Check certification status through professional associations. Our website provides tools to verify CT designation and search qualified professionals.
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