Talk Map:

1
Continuing Professional Development for
Translators Emma Wagner

• Talk Map
• CPD as an aspect of professionalism
• Defining CPD for translators
• Difficulties faced by translators
• How universities can help

2
CPD Continuing Professional Development

• also known as
• ongoing professional development
• life-long learning
• maintaining skills
• keeping up to date

3
Definition of CPD for all professions

• Source UK Construction Industry Council, 1986
• the systematic maintenance, improvement and
  broadening of knowledge and skill
• and the development of personal qualities
• necessary for the execution of professional and
  technical duties
• throughout the practitioners working life.

4
Why all professionals need CPD

• Source Critical Issues in CPD Professional
  Associations Research Network (PARN), UK
• To keep knowledge and skills up to date
• To safeguard public trust in the profession
• To see the bigger picture
• To maintain and enhance employability

5
Specific areas of CPD for translators

• Source ITI website www.iti.org.uk, CPD info
• ? Language
• maintenance development
• writing, editing, revision technique
• ? Subject medical, legal, technical,
  environment, literary
• ? Business
• tax, insurance, contracts, payments, marketing
• ? Computer skills
• MSOffice, Internet, translation memory, voice
  recognition
• ? Personal development
• ethics, self-promotion, stress management,
  fitness

6
CPD for translators
? The bigger picture new developments in the
profession changes in legislation, standards
Sharing Discussion Antidote to isolation
7
CPD for translators compulsory or voluntary?

Source Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs
(FIT) Survey Report by Jiri Stejskal, Ph. D.
(July 2005) 63 translators associations
surveyed in 2004 ? compulsory in 5 associations
(China, USA, British Columbia, Poland, Mexico)
? voluntary in 5 associations (Alberta, 2 UK
associations, Romania, New Zealand) ? plans for
new system (Australia)
8
Recognised forms of CPD

• Sources Summarised from ITI, ATA, ASLI, AUSIT
  info
• ? Self-directed learning
• reading, TV, visits, online learning
• ? Attending courses, workshops, conferences
• on language, specialism, business, IT,
  professional topics, bigger picture
• ? Membership of other professional associations
• accreditations
• ? Active contribution teaching, giving talks,
  writing books or articles
• serving on committees
• mentoring, assessment work

9
Institute of Translation Interpreting

CPD and Training

• CPD record booklet
• website section
• ITI events annual cycle including Professional
  Development courses
• ITI Peer Support Group (online mentoring)

• www.iti.org.uk

10
Take-up of CPD by translators

• Source ITI Survey of CPD Needs, 2005
• 74 currently engaged in CPD
• 49 use CPD record booklet
• 59 keen to participate
• only 4 feel they dont need CPD

11
Reported reasons for taking part in CPD

• Source ITI Survey of CPD Needs, 2005
• 61 - to learn how to use new technology
• 69 - to improve subject knowledge
• 70 - to meet other translators/interpreters
  and compare methods, share tips

12
Difficulties faced by freelancers

• Source ITI Survey of CPD Needs, 2005
• cost (loss of earnings)
• time
• distance
• very specific needs
• Possible solution e-learning?
• But is this an antidote to isolation?

13
How universities can help

• host CPD events
• attend and teach on CPD events
• invite translators as guest lecturers
• advise on new teaching formats (e-learning?)
• Thank you!