American Translators Association Surpasses 10,000 Members

ast September, the American Translators Association (ATA) announced that the organization has surpassed 10,000 members. The ATA founded in 1959, is the largest professional association of translators and interpreters in the U.S. with members in over 80 countries.

"We are thrilled with the explosive growth that this vital profession has recently experienced," said Marian S. Greenfield, then ATA's President. "The business of translation and interpreting continues to expand with the global economy and has become the new, hot career."

In the past ten years, the $11 billion translating and interpreting services industry has experienced tremendous growth, increasing at a rate of 10% to 15% annually, particularly in the areas of the global marketplace, healthcare and national security, Greenfield pointed out.

In today's global business environment, the stakes are high. Translation mistakes can be costly, embarrassing, and even disastrous. Having a professional translator is vital and translation has proven to be one of the most sought after professions in the 21^st Century.

Parade Magazine recently listed translation as the 2^nd hottest job right now, saying that industry growth will be 26% in the coming year. The rapidly evolving global economy has given rise to a greater demand for translation services, and translators and interpreters are visible and being acknowledged as an indispensable force in the global arena.

"Translators and interpreters are no longer behind the scenes; they are now key players in an increasing number of international companies and organizations," continued Greenfield.

Translators and interpreters are in hospitals, courts, banks, telecom, pharmaceuticals, tech, and dozens of other businesses that speak to people around the world on a daily basis.