Resources

Guidelines on the use of translations for Museums, Galleries and cultural institutions

A translation of intellectual property has status as a creative work and is protected by copyright.

As established by the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, Article 2, Section 3: “Translations, adaptations, arrangements of music and other alterations of a literary or artistic work shall be protected as original works without prejudice to the copyright in the original work.”

Navigating copyright can be a minefield, and sensitive and appropriate use of translations is not always intuitive; each case is unique. The International Federation of Translators (FIT) and The Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) have put together some guidelines to help cultural institutions who may use translated texts understand, at a glance, the best way to approach the use of translations.

The first step? Contact the translator, as a courtesy. It’s always good to be sure the translator is aware and part of the discussion, even if they don’t hold the copyright. In the event they don’t hold the copyright themselves, they will be able to tell you who does.

Download the guidelines here

The Atlas of Translation and Literature

A new resource for literary translators: The Atlas of Translation and Literature. You can take part in building a new resource for lovers of literature and translation. This interactive map of the world includes geolocation of events connected with translation and literature and relevant to those working in the industry. The aim of the map is not to describe the events in detail or to provide in-depth information about them, but to locate them geographically, offering an overview for professionals looking for information.

Add your events to the map via the link: ATL FORM

Share the link with organisations and bodies in your country or region who organise events connected with literary translation: translation awards, literary fairs, ongoing conferences, residencies for writers and translators, training programmes aimed at the industry

The Atlas is a proud collaboration between The International Federation of Translators (FIT) and its Translating for Publishing Houses and Copyright Standing Committee, the Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters of Catalonia (APTIC), the European Council of Literary Translators’ Associations (CEATL), Barcelona City of Literature and the Institut Ramon Llull.

If you have any queries, please write to secretaria@aptic.cat

Conflict Zone Field Guide for Civilian Translators/Interpreters and Users of Their Services

FIT in partnership with Red T and the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC), has drafted a Conflict Zone Field Guide for Civilian Translators/Interpreters and Users of Their Services. This document outlines the basic rights, responsibilities, and practices recommended by the three organizations. It applies to translators and interpreters serving as field linguists for the armed forces, journalists, NGOs and other organizations in conflict zones and other high-risk settings.

Brochure for Translation and Interpreting Buyers: Getting it Right

Interpreting: Getting It Right

Many buyers aren’t even sure they need a professional interpreter, especially if they know someone who seems to be bilingual and is willing to help out.
Red alert: working with amateurs or no interpreter at all can lead to serious risks for you and your business. Interpreting, Getting it Right is a brochure that explains the where, why, and how of purchasing professional interpreting services a quick read offering practical, hands-on information for language service consumers.

Other languages: Many FIT member associations have translated these guides and published them on their websites.

Translation: Getting It Right

English

There are hundreds of ways a translation project can go off track: ridiculous deadlines, misapplied machine translation, poor project management, unqualified suppliers, and much more. If you’re a first-time buyer, you are often flying blind.
Translation, Getting it Right is a handy brochure full of concrete tips to help you get the most out of your budget and get a translation that works. It’s available in a number of languages.

Other languages: Brazilian Portuguese :: Catalan :: German. Many FIT member associations have translated these guides and published them on their websites.

FIT Database of Training Institutions

FIT Database of Training Institutions for Latin America and other parts of the world. Last updated June 2020.

Other Resources

2020: ISO 17100 – FAQS for freelance translators

2015: PEN Club : The Quebec Declaration on Literary Translation and Translators (2015)

2012: Overall costs of non-quality in translation – A report from the European Commission

1963, updated1994: FIT Translator’s Charter

Open Letters

Translators and interpreters have been increasingly subject to unjust persecution, prosecution and imprisonment in countries across the world. To publicise and combat this critical state of affairs, the International Federation of Translators (FIT), the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) and Red T, later joined by the International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI), launched an Open Letter Project in mid-2012.

Its objective is to advocate on behalf of these embattled linguists by researching their individual cases and sending letters of appeal to the appropriate authorities.

We encourage you to join our project by writing a letter of your own. Every voice matters! The project began with letters relating to the cases of imprisoned Iranian translators and writers and later extended to local linguists working for foreign forces in conflict areas, particularly their situation when the foreign forces withdraw. Efforts have been made to publicise the letters and alert the media to them, helping to put pressure on governments to ensure the long-term safety of linguists who served their troops.

Below you will find open letters sent to the governments of various countries around the world.

Open Letter to Ministers of the Federal Republic of Germany regarding campaign for the protection of Translators and Interpreters working in Conflict Zones – August 2022

Statement from the International Federation of Translators (FIT) concerning the imprisonment of a translator in Belarus – February 2021

Open Letter to Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison Regarding a Humanitarian Promise – February 2020

Open Letter to Chancellor of the Republic of Germany Angela Merkel with a Plea to Provide a Safe Haven – July 2019

Open Letter to the UN Secretary-General seeking a UN Resolution to Protect Civilian Translators/Interpreters in Conflict Situations – May 2019

Open Letter to President of the Republic of France on Afghan interpreters – August 2017

Open Letter to the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship – August 2016

Open Letter to US Congress – May 2016

Open Letter to Prime Minister Tsipras of Greece on Protective Asylum for Afghan Interpreters – October 2015

Open Letter to the President of the Republic of Turkey on behalf of Mohammed Ismael Rasool – September 2015

Open Letter to His Holiness Pope Francis for protecting translators and interpreters at risk – June 2015

Open Letter in support of Danish translators’ associations – January 2015

Open Letter in solidarity with the victims of the attacks on Charlie Hebdo – January 2015

Open Letter to the Prime Minister of The Netherlands on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the Polish Armed Forces – September 2014

Open Letter to the President of the Republic of Poland on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the Polish Armed Forces – July 2014

Open letter to the Spanish Minister of Defence on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the Spanish Armed Forces – September 2013

Open Letter to the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the German Armed Forces –
June 2013

Open Letter to the Prime Minister of France on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the French Armed Forces – June 2013

Open Letter to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the British Armed Forces – June 2013

Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Denmark on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the Danish Armed Forces – May 2013

Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Sweden on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the Swedish Armed Forces – April 2013

Open Letter to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security on behalf of Afghan and Iraqi conflict zone linguists – February 2013

Open Letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of Iranian translator Manijeh Najm Araghi – August 2012.

This letter was also sent out in Farsi, addressed to Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani, Head of Judiciary, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Our thanks go to Eriksen Translations Inc. for generously providing the Farsi translations.

Open Letter  to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of Iranian literary translator Mohammad Soleimani Nia – May 2012.

This letter was also sent out in Farsi, addressed to Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani, Head of Judiciary, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Our thanks go to Eriksen Translations Inc. for generously providing the Farsi translations.. Update: In late May 2012, Mohammad Soleimani Nia was released on bail. A few weeks later, he responded to a summons by authorities to pick up his personal property and was reportedly rearrested.

Babel

Babel (benjamins.com/catalog/babel) is a scholarly journal designed primarily for translators, interpreters and terminologists (T&I), yet of interest also for non-specialists concerned with current issues and events in the field.

The scope of Babel is intentional and embraces a multitude of disciplines built on the following pillars: T&I theory, practice, pedagogy, technology, history, sociology, and terminology management. Another important segment of this journal includes articles on the development and evolution of the T&I professions: new disciplines, growth, recognition, Codes of Ethics, protection, and prospects.

The creation of Babel was proposed on the initiative of Pierre-François Caillé, founding president of the Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs (FIT) and approved by the first FIT Congress of 1954 in Paris. Babel continues to be published for FIT and each issue contains a section dedicated to THE LIFE OF FIT.

Articles for Babel are normally published in English or French but we also accept articles in Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish.

Publication Details: ISSN 0521-9744 | E-ISSN 1569-9668. Visit benjamins.com/catalog/babel for publications

Publications

  • Translatio - Catch up on FIT's latest news in Translatio.
  • Resources - Conflict Zone Field Guide for Civilian Translators/Interpreters and Users of Their Services, Brochure for Translation and Interpreting Buyers: Getting it Right, Other Resources
  • Open Letters - Translators and interpreters have been increasingly subject to unjust persecution, prosecution and imprisonment in countries across the world. To publicise and combat this critical state of affairs, the International Federation of Translators (FIT), the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) and Red T, later joined by the International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI), launched an Open Letter Project in mid-2012.
  • Position and Discussion Papers -

    Position Paper on the Use of AI in Interpreting

    The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the field of translation and interpreting presents significant issues for both professional interpreters and the individuals whose words they interpret. As a global body representing over 65,000 individual translation, interpreting and terminology practitioners in over 65 countries, the stance of the International Federation of Translators is firmly against the replacement of human interpreters with unsupervised, unrevised machine interpreting and translation, as it creates unacceptable levels of risk and error, and undermines the role of professional interpreters and translators. Read more…
  • Babel - Babel is a scholarly publication presenting articles from all round the world. It is published quarterly.