AI Can't Do WHAT?! Your Translation Career Depends on This!

Hidden Dangers of Bad Translation: Why Certified Human Expertise is Essential.

What Is the ATA—and Why Should You Care?

When you hand a birth certificate or a court brief to a translator, the words must survive the trip unscathed. The American Translators Association (ATA) is the body that makes sure that happens. Founded in 1959, the ATA certifies translators who prove—under exam conditions—that they can carry meaning, tone, and nuance from one language to another without dropping a single comma.

ATA certification is not a paid membership badge. Candidates sit for a three-hour, proctored exam and must maintain continuing education credits every three years to keep the credential active. When you see “ATA-Certified Translator” on a seal or letterhead, you know two things:

• The linguist passed one of the world’s toughest translation exams.

• The linguist is still sharpening skills through mandatory training.

That seal is your first line of defense against costly errors.