Our sessions provide you with a multitude of educational options to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, and participate in discussions on current issues within the interpreting and translating professions. You will find a vast array of session options covering all levels of expertise.
All Saturday and Sunday sessions are open seating. Continuing education credits are currently being submitted. Check our CEU page for regular updates. NOTE: Sessions are subject to change
A code of ethics defines the core values and principles guiding professionals in making decisions in complex scenarios. For interpreters, these codes promote critical thinking, responsible judgment, and ethical navigation of professional dilemmas—moving beyond rigid adherence to rules. The AAITE National Codes of Ethics introduced a framework rooted in Communicative Autonomy and Cultural Awareness, highlighting the importance of ethical decision-making and critical thinking. But how do these principles hold up against the growing perception that AI tools can perform interpreting tasks better and cheaper? Does the ethical behavior expected of interpreters extend to the use and implementation of AI tools? Join this thought-provoking, interactive session to explore these questions and examine the intersection of human judgment, professional ethics, and emerging technologies. Discover where interpreting ethics stand in a rapidly shifting legal and technological landscape.
Objectives: Attendees will understand the key ethical principles that guide interpreters in their role as providers of language access, highlighting their critical contribution to ensuring effective communication within the broader legal framework. They will learn to navigate ethical dilemmas ensuring that professional standards and human judgment remain central to the interpreter’s work. They will also develop an informed response to explain why artificial intelligence databases, despite their efficiency and vast data capabilities, cannot replicate the nuanced judgment, cultural sensitivity, and ethical decision-making inherent to the human mind in interpreting.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into interpreter training is transforming the educational process by blending human expertise with advanced technology. Online training platforms now feature AI-powered evaluation tools that provide real-time feedback, delivering performance assessments within three minutes of completing a practice session. During seminars, AI actively engages with students, asking them how much they have learned at specific intervals. Based on their responses, the AI immediately identifies areas that need further review, enabling students to address gaps in understanding while still engaged in the learning process. Additionally, trainees can create their own interpreting and translating exercises, receiving instant, tailored feedback to refine their skills. This innovative approach personalizes and accelerates interpreter training, fostering deeper learning and greater confidence in professional performance.
Objectives: In this session, we will showcase AI’s Role in interpreter training, explore how AI is enhancing the educational process by blending human expertise with advanced technology, and highlight real-time feedback mechanisms.
We will demonstrate AI-powered tools that provide instant performance assessments within minutes of practice sessions. We’ll promote interactive learning, examine how AI engages students during seminars, assessing progress and identifying areas for improvement in real-time. We’ll enable personalized training and discuss how trainees can create customized exercises and receive tailored feedback to refine their interpreting and translating skills. We’ll foster efficient skill development and showcase how AI accelerates the learning process, enabling students to address gaps and improve with greater confidence. Finally, we’ll encourage adoption of innovative tools and provide practical insights for trainers and institutions to integrate AI into their training programs for more effective learning outcomes.
Collaboration and support can be game-changers in the interpreting profession. This session draws on the real-life experiences of two interpreters and their professional administrative support to illustrate how teamwork enhances both the quality of interpreting and the efficiency of business practices. By working together as a cohesive team, the presenters have navigated challenges, developed innovative solutions, and built a thriving professional dynamic.
The session explores how partnering with colleagues and administrative professionals can optimize workflows, from client management and project organization to proposal writing and CRM implementation. Attendees will learn how this collaborative approach not only improves the delivery of services but also creates a balanced, sustainable business model. The presentation offers actionable insights and interactive discussions to inspire interpreters to rethink their professional relationships and embrace support systems for greater success. Conducted in English, this session provides valuable strategies for interpreters at any stage of their careers.
Objectives: This session showcases how collaboration among interpreters and with professional administrative support can lead to improved service quality, streamlined business operations, and enhanced career satisfaction. Through real-life examples and lessons learned, the presenters demonstrate how working as a team rather than as isolated professionals fosters trust, creativity, and efficiency.
Attendees will explore the benefits of delegating administrative tasks to a skilled support professional, including managing client relationships, organizing projects, and implementing a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The presentation also highlights how this partnership brings fresh perspectives that enrich both interpreting practices and business strategies. By adopting a collaborative approach and leveraging administrative support, participants will gain practical tools to elevate their professional and business outcomes.
There are over 500 Indigenous languages spoken in Latin America. Why is it then, that the popular narrative continues to assume that mostly everyone from south of the US-Mexican border speaks Spanish and this remains the default language when rendering service? This is not by accident but by design. During this presentation, you will learn from Indigenous experts in the field about the diversity of Indigenous languages, best practices, and techniques for identifying Indigenous languages. You will learn about case studies that demonstrate how this dominant narrative has fatal consequences and the efforts of Indigenous peoples to fight for their language rights.
Objectives: Participants will learn about the diversity of Indigenous languages and techniques for identifying these languages. They will walk away with the knowledge to apply these techniques in their everyday work. Participants will learn about best practices for interpretation when working with Indigenous interpreters and the community. This will include unique situations that may arise when working with Indigenous populations and how to navigate them. The presentation will include historical context of migration and displacement of Indigenous populations and how this contributes to historical traumas that arise when working with Indigenous populations. Participants will learn how to recognize and work through these challenges.
All Saturday and Sunday sessions are open seating. Continuing education credits are currently being submitted. Check our CEU page for regular updates. NOTE: Sessions are subject to change
Interpreters in every sphere work under stressful circumstances and rely on their minds and bodies to help facilitate effective communication. The stresses we experience stem from the cognitive load of balancing the need for complete and accurate renditions, on the one hand, and the need to be as inobtrusive and efficient as possible, on the other hand, while also hearing accurately and speaking clearly for hours on end, often with only brief breaks to decompress. There is also a moderate to high risk of vicarious trauma for interpreters working on assignments involving natural disasters, conflict or injustice of all kinds, debilitating health issues, and so on. It is essential, therefore, for interpreters to continually monitor their mental, emotional, and physical health, and to take care of their “instrument.” This 90-minute, language-neutral, hands-on workshop is co-presented by an Armenian<>English conference interpreter and vocal coach, and an English<>Japanese legal and community interpreter. The presenters discuss the research documenting symptoms of vicarious trauma in interpreters. They also share best practices for routine self-care, ranging from vocal exercises to ensure healthy vocal cords, accounting for the risk of hearing loss and acoustic shock from unsuitable headsets when interpreting remotely or in the booth, and prioritizing one’s mental and emotional health both to ensure delivery of reliable services during potentially traumatic assignments and to be able to de-stress afterward. Attendees will learn about, and practice together, a range of vocal, breathing, visualization, and other exercises. Ultimately, this session will equip novice and experienced interpreters with an array of self-care tools to enhance their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
Objectives: Attendees will have their memories refreshed, both about the cognitive and emotional demands placed on their minds and bodies when working as conference, legal, and community interpreters, and the ways in which prioritizing self-care allows them to decompress after particularly taxing assignments. Attendees will leave the workshop with a range of tools for maintaining their mental, emotional, and physical health.
Symbols play a crucial role in effective note-taking for consecutive interpretation, enabling interpreters to capture key concepts quickly and efficiently. However, many interpreters find it challenging to come up with symbols, incorporate them into their note-taking, and apply them consistently. This session is designed to demystify the use of symbols in note-taking, offering attendees a deeper understanding of how to develop their own collections of symbols and integrate them effectively into their practice. In this interactive workshop, the presenter will share her own symbols and the systems that she uses to create and connect them in her notes. She will introduce a classification method that ranks symbols by their efficiency and origin, creating families of related symbols and systematic ways to generate them that reduce the cognitive load of note-taking. This will help participants identify which symbols are most effective for their personal style. Through hands-on exercises, attendees will experiment with various symbols and strategies, gaining insight into how symbols can streamline note-taking, extend working memory, and reduce cognitive load. By the end of the session, participants will have practical strategies for refining their note-taking systems, improving both speed and accuracy in consecutive interpretation. This language-neutral workshop is open to all interpreters seeking to enhance their understanding and use of symbols in consecutive interpretation, offering valuable tools for boosting efficiency and effectiveness in their practice.
Objectives: By the end of the session, participants will learn how to streamline note-taking, extend working memory, and reduce cognitive load through the use of symbols. They will have a deeper understanding of how to effectively integrate symbols into their note-taking systems. Attendees will gain practical strategies for developing and refining their own symbols, tailored to their personal style, which will allow them to improve speed, accuracy, and overall efficiency in consecutive interpretation.
Even though team interpreting is widely considered best practices for longer judicial proceedings, its use is still questioned in certain courts. Participants attending this session will learn what the established practices are, how to implement them effectively and how to handle challenges encountered in putting team interpreting into practice. Participants will have an opportunity to learn and discuss best practices, share their experiences and gauge their ability to work as a team via three rounds of an interactive game. Participants will also have the option of taking part in a live debate on contentious topics that arise during the presentation. Now is the time for interpreters to reexamine their current approach to team interpreting and strategize for increased use of standard procedures in order to maximize accuracy and ensure due process!
Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to define team interpreting, recognize its indispensability in certain judicial proceedings, and apply established techniques for successful outcomes. They will also understand who benefits from team interpreting and why its use is essential.
Even though the consecutive mode allows interpreters to hear the entire utterance and take notes before speaking, interpreters may still find themselves forgetting details or confusing sequences of events. That is where the essential skill of memory comes in. Join Agustin de la Mora for this practical class on developing your memory skills with proven techniques that you can start using immediately. Learn how notetaking and memory compliment and support each other, as well as how to keep lists, sequences of events and more in order without writing a single word.
Objectives: Participants will improve consecutive interpreting skills and simultaneous interpreting skills. This session will improve their confidence in stored memories and the ease of encoding and decoding remembered information.
All Saturday and Sunday sessions are open seating. Continuing education credits are currently being submitted. Check our CEU page for regular updates. NOTE: Sessions are subject to change
In this entertaining and thought-provoking session, attendees will have a chance to do some introspection and find ways to stay ahead of life’s different curves. In the face of changing landscapes, with AI, and other threats and opportunities, it’s important to prepare and think about the different ways that one can future-proof one’s profession.
Objectives: Attendees will learn ways of thinking about their current and future situations and find ways to be prepared to provide the highest level services for their clients in a rapidly changing environment.
Traditional tablets have long been used for note-taking in interpreting, but they are heavier than many interpreters would like them to be. For quite some time, no good alternatives to old-school non-environmentally friendly paper notebooks were available, but the lightweight Remarkable tablet has changed all that. It’s a sleek, Norwegian-designed tablet that’s designed exclusively for note-taking and has revolutionized the way many interpreters take notes. Join the presenter, who is an early adapter of Remarkable, for a presentation of features of this device, which also allows you to upload your notes, convert them to text, annotate documents, and more. Attendees will be able to use the Remarkable during the session.
Objectives: Attendees will learn the basic functions of a new piece of hardware that they may never have had before and will also be able to use the presenter’s device to test it. Attendees will be made aware of the advantages — as well as limitations — a digital device that is lightweight and versatile and eliminates the need for paper.
This workshop is for current or aspiring self-employed professionals (i.e. freelance interpreters and translators). The topic? The behind-the-scenes grunt work that stops those freelancers from feeling satisfied. We are our own bosses, so how can we be the best boss possible? Through partner dialogues and class discussions, we’ll explore what our ultimate business goals are and how, practically, to reach them. Topics covered will include goal-setting and time management, stress reduction and budgeting.
Objectives: Participants will leave armed with the tools they need to make their self-employment as successful and fulfilling as possible. During this session, participants will understand business practices, career planning, and mapping success for linguists and language professionals.
All Saturday and Sunday sessions are open seating. Continuing education credits are currently being submitted. Check our CEU page for regular updates. NOTE: Sessions are subject to change
This session will be divided into 2 sections:
PART 1 An introduction to the use of gender-inclusive language that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender or gender identity. The instructor will present the characteristics of formulaic legal language and its use for gender inclusivity. Participants will learn strategies for translating gender-inclusive language into English.
PART 2: This knowledge will then be applied and adapted while translating several excerpts from legal Spanish-language texts into English. Participants will then discuss and revise their translations to comply with standard legal translation into English and gender inclusivity.
Objectives: During this session, the instructor will introduce participants to the use of gender-inclusive language that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender or gender identity. The characteristics of formulaic legal language and its use for gender inclusivity will be thoroughly discussed. Participants will learn strategies for translating gender-inclusive language into English. This knowledge will then be applied and adapted while translating several excerpts from legal Spanish-language texts. Participants will discover ways to comply with the legal aspects of gender inclusivity while remaining true to the original legal text.
This workshop is for current or aspiring self-employed professionals (i.e. freelance interpreters and translators). The topic? The behind-the-scenes grunt work that stops those freelancers from feeling satisfied. We are our own bosses, so how can we be the best boss possible? Through partner dialogues and class discussions, we’ll explore what our ultimate business goals are and how, practically, to reach them. Topics covered will include goal-setting and time management, stress reduction and budgeting. Participants will leave armed with the tools they need to make their self-employment as successful and fulfilling as possible.
Objectives:Participants will explore the challenges of entrepreneurship, obtaining tools and strategies for running a successful and fulfilling business.
This will be an interactive session in which attendees will be encouraged to share their own perspectives and experiences in the application of one or more canons within the code of ethics applicable to their field. The main presenter will start the conversation with a general overview of what is “ethics” exactly and will then invite two guests to join her: ATA’s Christina Green and AAITE’s Giovanna Carriero. Together, we will compare and discuss different codes of ethics applicable to interpreters and translators in different domains, different jurisdictions, and even different professional associations. During the last part of the session, we will try to draft a code of ethics that is applicable to all languages—including indigenous languages—and all domains, plus a separate code of best practices for the legal domain.
Objectives: At the end of the session attendees will be able to
(1) define and differentiate deontological and teleological ethics,
(2) assess what constitutes a code of ethics versus a code of professional responsibility or a code of professional standards of practice, and
(3) apply critical thinking skills in their daily work moving forward to incorporate both ethical values and best practices as specifically applicable to their language combinations and specialization domains.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the landscape of language services. This 90-minute session aims to equip interpreters and translators with a comprehensive understanding of AI’s capabilities, challenges, and potential. We begin with a live demonstration of GPT-powered interpretation, highlighting how advanced voice technology facilitates seamless language conversion. Following this, we analyze findings from key reports, including sentiment and future expectations of AI adoption in the interpreting and translation sectors. Attendees will gain valuable insights from comparative studies on how AI tools are perceived, providing a snapshot of how the field is responding to technological advancements. The session also draws on examples from the legal and medical fields, how attorneys are learning how to leverage AI tools into their workflow, including reports on how AI could be used to automate a large part of legal work, and summaries of AI applications in medical workflows. These examples will encourage interpreters and translators to rethink how such tools could enhance their professional roles. Finally, we present findings from various research studies and our own original tests on AI’s performance in legal interpretation. We address practical questions about accuracy, bias, and reliability, while also exploring how AI’s interpreting performance has evolved over time and its effectiveness in complex fields, such as legal interpretation. This structured presentation will provide attendees with knowledge and tools for navigating AI’s evolving role in interpreting and translation.
Objectives: Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how GPT and other AI tools operate in the context of language interpretation and translation, enabling them to comprehend the technology’s functionality and potential applications. They will explore recent research findings on AI’s role in language services, gaining insights into its advancements and challenges. Through examples from the medical and legal fields, participants will learn practical strategies for effectively leveraging AI tools in professional settings. Additionally, attendees will evaluate AI’s strengths, limitations, and its evolution in interpreting performance, with a specific focus on its current capabilities and effectiveness in legal interpretation.
All Saturday and Sunday sessions are open seating. Continuing education credits are currently being submitted. Check our CEU page for regular updates. NOTE: Sessions are subject to change
In 2017, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) launched an initiative to address a critical gap in interpreter certification: the absence of tools to measure the skills of interpreters working in languages of lesser diffusion. This led to the creation of the English-to-English (EtoE) exam, which evaluates the cognitive skills at the core of interpreting, such as listening comprehension, paraphrasing, and memory. Originally designed for healthcare interpreters, this psychometrically validated model is adaptable for any interpreting setting—including legal interpreting. The EtoE exam provides a vital pathway to certification for interpreters of languages with no existing language-specific exam, as is the case for many rarer languages spoken in courtrooms across the U.S. In 2024 CCHI presented this innovative exam model to wide acclaim at the NAJIT conference in Providence. This year, participants in this hands-on workshop will have the opportunity to engage in mock exam exercises that simulate the types of items found on CCHI’s EtoE exam, but adapted for court interpretation. By practicing these exercises, participants will explore how cognitive skills like paraphrasing and memory are crucial to effective interpreting in both healthcare and legal contexts, and how they can be measured and tested in an EtoE exam. Join us for an interactive experience that demonstrates how the EtoE exam can raise standards for interpreters across all fields, providing a pathway to skills-based certification, and helping elevate the professionalism of interpretation of all languages—whether in healthcare, courtrooms, or beyond.
Objectives: Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the English-to-English (EtoE) exam’s innovative approach to evaluating cognitive interpreting skills, which are essential for interpreting in various settings, including U.S. healthcare and legal contexts. They will explore how this exam tests readiness for interpretation by assessing cognitive subskills, such as paraphrasing, listening comprehension, and memory. Attendees will also engage in mock exercises designed for court interpreters, demonstrating the potential of the EtoE model to bridge certification gaps in languages with fewer resources, offering a valuable tool for interpreters working in the legal field, among others.
Client education is a critical yet often overlooked component of a successful freelance legal translation and interpretation business. This 60-minute session will explore the benefits and strategies of effective client education, drawing from the presenter’s extensive experience in client outreach. Attendees will gain actionable insights into advocating for their professionalism while elevating the profession as a whole.
Objectives: Client education is not an unfamiliar topic amongst freelance T&I professionals, most of whom also understand the importance and necessity of such an effort, not to mention the benefits of it when it is done right. In this 60-minute session, the presenter will share the experience and takeaways from her own client outreach effort to help the attendees achieve the following learning objectives: 1. Understanding the benefits of client education from the individual business perspective, as well as from the profession as a collective; 2. Recognizing the importance of client education from a position of strength; 3. Being able to utilize different client outreach strategies to effectively advocate for your professionalism and the profession as a whole.
In this session, participants will learn how to manage the communication flow without taking or stepping over boundaries while remaining calm and confident in their language skills. They will learn to expand and summarize information without altering tone, intent, or register of the information due to the urgency of the communication.
Participants will consider some of the approaches they can apply when intervention is needed to expedite communication without taking over the call while continuing being transparent and conducting a quick pre-session or introduction at the right time, setting the ground rules for interpreting for both the law enforcement team and the Limited English Proficient (LEP) person. The attendee will be aware of being mindful of the state of mind and condition of the LEP person: panicky, intoxicated while trying to remain unbiased with the parties.
Common law enforcement forms will be discussed, such as forms related to traffic and crime. Participants will learn how to recuse themselves from a call due to the inability to keep up with the content or because of a lack of credentials. Interpretation recordings can be played in a trial, so this is a setting where translators need to make sure that they do the best that they can. Finally, participants will develop their own materials and have them handy if the need arises to help them with the accuracy of the interpretation: translations, glossaries.
Objectives: The participant will be able to identify the setting of the telecommunication call at hand: adversarial vs. collaborative and identify the role of the interpreter to be applied to the specific call The participant will raise their level of awareness and concern about this topic and be motivated to discuss this further within the profession in order to propose initiatives to set guidelines for this uncharted interpreting setting.
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of interpreting has sparked debates about its ability to match or surpass human interpreters in performance. This study provides a comprehensive comparison between human interpreters and AI-based interpreting systems, focusing on key performance metrics such as accuracy, contextual understanding, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability. By analyzing real-world scenarios across various languages and interpreting modes, the research highlights the strengths and limitations of both approaches. The findings reveal that while AI excels in speed and consistency, human interpreters remain unmatched in nuanced cultural understanding and handling ambiguous contexts. This study aims to inform stakeholders in the interpreting industry about the potential of AI as a complementary tool rather than a replacement, advocating for a hybrid approach to maximize efficiency and maintain quality in communication.
Objectives: 1. Understanding AI’s Role in Interpreting, 2. Comparison of Human and AI Performance – results of SCSI Research Paper, 3. Exploring Real-World Applications, 4. Promoting a Hybrid Approach, 5. Engaging Stakeholders in Strategic Decision-Making, 6. Addressing Ethical and Cultural Considerations, 7. Fostering Innovation and Adaptation
All Saturday and Sunday sessions are open seating. Continuing education credits are currently being submitted. Check our CEU page for regular updates. NOTE: Sessions are subject to change
The revocation of Executive Order 13166 represents a pivotal shift in federal language access policy with potential far-reaching implications for millions of limited English proficient (LEP) individuals nationwide. This panel will examine the immediate and long-term consequences of this decision in light of the legal bases for language access as a civil right, while exploring adaptive strategies and potential pathways forward in this changing policy landscape.
This presentation is geared to helping interpreter’s help judges get it right in the courtroom. the focus will be on the importance of making sure that interpretation part of any judicial proceeding is recorded. What is the best placement for an interpreter during difference types of hearings. What is the interpreter’s ethical duty while they are interpreting in a courtroom. What is the role of an interpreter during a court proceeding. Another goal will be to examine the role./need to have a centralized entity to oversee all interpretation matters that affect your court system. Be it at the local level or at the State level. Also, there will be a discussion on the future of AI as it applies to it’s use in the courtroom. It’s coming those that work as interpreters better get ready.
Objectives: Attendees will get a broader view of an interpreter’s role in the courtroom. The interpreter has an important and valuable role in the courtroom process. It is true that when an interpreter is need the Court cannot proceed with the defendant’s case without them. But it is the hope that by seeing this presentation that an interpreter will understand that they do not control the courtroom process. the judge controls what happens in their courtroom. A good judge will seek and hopefully follow the advice of the interpreter on how to best proceed with the type of hearing needed (e.g., regular pre-trial, bench trial, jury or other). But the goal is to help the interpreter in succeeding in the courtroom by making sure the record of their interpretation is preserved, that language they are using is the correct for the defendant, and that the overall court record is free from any bias or misinterpretations. The coming force of AI will also be a focus of this presentation.
This 90-minute presentation will provide an in-depth exploration of the Code of Professional Conduct for court interpreters, focusing on how ethical standards may shift depending on the nature of the legal proceeding. Court interpreters play a crucial role in ensuring fairness and access to justice for non-English-speaking individuals involved in legal processes. However, the interpretation of ethical guidelines can vary significantly across different types of proceedings, such as criminal, civil, immigration, or family law cases.
The session will begin by reviewing the core principles of the Code of Professional Conduct, including accuracy, impartiality, confidentiality, and professional demeanor. The presenter will then introduce the concept of situational ethics, emphasizing that the context of a case can influence how these principles are applied.
Specific scenarios will be discussed in detail, highlighting the challenges interpreters face when balancing ethical obligations with the demands of different legal contexts. The presentation will also touch on the interpreter’s role in maintaining professional boundaries, dealing with conflicts of interest, and making ethically sound decisions when unexpected situations arise during legal proceedings.
Objectives: By the end of the presentation, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how the Code of Professional Conduct applies in various legal settings and how they can adapt their practice to uphold ethical standards while navigating situational complexities in their work as court interpreters. The session will conclude with a Q&A, allowing attendees to share experiences and discuss best practices.