PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY WORKGROUPS ARE HELPING TO RESHAPE INTERPRETING

Interpreting has come of age. That was the message of urgency and passion that emerged from the five workgroups held at InterpretAmerica’s 2^nd North American Summit on Interpreting in 2011. In a novel experiment, Summit attendees rolled up their sleeves and began the hard work of addressing key issues cohesively, coherently, and collaboratively across sectors, focusing on:

1. Professional Associations
2. Certification and Credentialing, 
3. Education and Training
4. Legal and Advocacy Concerns
5. Technology

The results were catalogued in Interpreting: Full Speed Ahead – Blazing a Trail Toward National Unity, (downloadable here). Amazing consensus emerged in three key areas:

1.     The need for a national umbrella organization to represent interpreters.

2.     A compelling call for a national generalist interpreter certification.

3.     The urgent need to embrace technology and support interpreters who need training on technology.

The key work started by Summit attendees and captured in Interpreting: Full Speed Ahead is reverberating throughout the field, as seen by closer collaboration between key professional associations, renewed momentum towards a generalist certification, and increased dialogue between interpreters and technology developers.

Interested in helping to shape the future of our profession? The 3^rd North American Summit on Interpreting (June 15-16 in Monterey, California) is bringing the workgroup sessions back to continue the work started last June. Attendees will again be asked to roll up their sleeves and tackle key issues shaping the future of our profession:

Track 1: Is It Time for a Generalist Interpreter Certification?

Track 2: Contemplating a National Consortium for Interpreter Trainers & Educators

Track 3: Towards a Working Technology Partnership for the Interpreting Profession

Track 4: Creating Connections with End Users of Interpreting Services: From LEPs to LSPs

Track 5: One Profession, One Voice - Selling the Interpreting Profession to the Public

Each workgroup will be moderated by a leading expert in the subject area and all participants will have the chance to share their ideas, expertise, and vision. Results will be captured in publications which will be made freely available to the public.

Complete details can be found at www.interpretamerica.net/summit. Early bird rates, student and teacher discounts, and poster presentation submissions all still apply! Register now!