1. TAALS official website and logo
(Image source: www.taals.net)
II. Introduction to TAALS
In 1957, the Association of American Chinese Experts (TAALS) was founded in Washington, D.C. The Association of American Chinese Specialists is a professional association of senior translators and interpreters who aim to continuously improve the standard of work in the language service industry. The purpose of the Association of Chinese Specialists is to define and represent language professionals (including interpreters, translators, reviewers, terminologists and editors), safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its members, and provide high standards of professional services to promote communication improvement and promote the development of the industry.
Members of the Association of American Chinese Speakers are required to adhere to strict ethical standards and confidentiality, have years of experience in language services, and meet the strict requirements of peer help. Through the American Chinese Speech Specialists Association, clients have direct access to qualified and experienced professional translators and interpreters for all their language needs.
The Association of American Chinese Speakers has membership throughout the Western Hemisphere, with some members in Europe, Asia and Australia. Members include freelancers as well as long-term staff employed by international organizations, government agencies and universities.
III. Member Benefits and Description
The Association of American Chinese Experts has four membership categories: full member, associate member, honorary member, and honorary member. Anyone who has or has practiced the profession of a linguist is eligible to become a full or associate member.
(1) Full Members
All members except Associate Members, Honorary Members and Emeritus Members are full members. Full members have the right to participate in the deliberations and vote in the General Assembly and are eligible to serve as officers and members of the Council. The position of Executive Secretary is open to full and associate members.
(2) Associate Members
Persons who do not meet the formal membership requirements but agree with the principles and purposes of the Association may apply to become associate members. Associate Members have the right to participate in the deliberations of the General Assembly, but do not have the right to vote and are not eligible to serve as officers or members of the Council.
(3) Honorary members and retired members
Upon the recommendation of the Council to the General Assembly, individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Association may become honorary members. At the same time, members who have a good reputation in the language service industry but are no longer active can become emeritus members. Honorary members and retired members have the right to participate in the discussion of the General Assembly, but not the right to vote. Honorary and retired members are not eligible to hold the positions of Bureau of the Association, Council and Executive Secretary of the Association. There is no need to pay membership dues to the association.
IV. Admission Requirements
All qualified conference interpreters and translators are eligible to become members.
Applicants can submit their application for membership in either spring and autumn cycles. The application deadline for the fall is September 15 each year. The application deadline for spring is February 15 each year. At the general meeting in November or December each year, applicants must be approved by two-thirds of the members to become new members of the Association.
(1) Full Members
Full membership applicants are individuals who apply for membership, re-enroll, or reclassify languages to the Association of American Chinese Experts.
A. Substantive Requirements
(1) Interpreters
Interpreters applying for full membership must have experience in simultaneous and/or consecutive interpretation of meetings (at least 100 days). Applicants must have the assistance of at least three full members in good standing. The full member in question must be a full member of the Association in the Interpreting category (at least two years), confirm that he or she has worked with the applicant and listen to the applicant's relevant opinions.
(Image source: www.taals.net/en/membership-application/)
(2) Translators or revisers
Translators or reviewers applying to become full members must have the assistance of at least two full members in good standing. The full member in question must be a full member of the Association in the translation category (at least two years).
Applicants must also meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Work as a full-time translator or reviewer (at least one year) in an accredited institution or three years in a position closely related to language services, most of which is spent on translation.
- A freelance translator contract (for one year) is signed with an accredited institution, and during the contract period, the remuneration for the work accounts for a significant proportion of the applicant's income.
- Has published and signed translations.
- Freelance translators who work primarily in the private market must submit three letters of recommendation from public or private entities in the target language. The source of the recommendation letter should be a client that the applicant has served within the past three years. Letters of recommendation should indicate the relevant dates and working language. Applicants should also submit a list of additional translations, if available, with the relevant dates and working languages.
(Image source: www.taals.net/en/membership-application/)
(3) Re-membership
A person applying for re-admission may be presumed to have fulfilled the substantive requirements at the time of initial membership.
(4) Special approval/special circumstances
If the applicant is unable to meet the above requirements due to special circumstances, he or she may apply for special consideration. The application must be accompanied by a full explanation of the situation.
B. Formal Requirements
Applicants must state peer assistance, relevant experience, work residence, and required language classification in their application. Peer help is available in the following situations:
(1) Interpreters
Level A: Get three times with the same A interpreter Level B: Get two help from the same A or B interpreter
Level C: Get help twice from an A or B level interpreter
(2) Translators or revisers
Level A: Get help twice from the same Level A translator or reviser
Level B: Get help twice from the same A or B translator or reviser
Level C: Get two times with help from a translator or reviewer at A or B level
(Image source: www.taals.net/en/membership-application/)
(2) Associate Members
Translators and interpreters who lack the necessary experience described above but wish to obtain full membership should submit an application for associate membership to the Admissions Secretary. Applications for associate membership must be signed by at least two full members in good standing. The full member must be a member of the Association (at least two years) and demonstrate that the applicant serves as a conference interpreter or translator/reviewer and supports the purpose of the Association of American Chinese Experts. The testimonials in question are not an endorsement of language combinations or the quality of work.
In Chinese the TAALS Yearbook, associate members and full members create separate rosters. Associate Members may apply to become full members immediately upon meeting the full membership requirements. The Association of American Chinese Speakers welcomes associate members to full membership. Associate Members who do not apply for full membership within five years will automatically lose their membership.
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Source: International Translation News
Reprinted editor: Wang Zhenzhen