Translation and Ethics

Today I published a post requesting clarification from AIPTI and Nota del Traductor as to what seemed to be an overlap in time and aims between TEBP and AIPTI. This post resulted in everything from angry messages to someone leaving TEBP (and something tells me more people will probably follow). However, it was not all negative; it also resulted in what turned out to be a very productive conversation with the president of AIPTI.

My initial post raised questions on several issues surrounding the creation of AIPTI, which included what appeared to be inconsistencies in the public statements made by AIPTI creators as to when exactly their project came to be and why if the association had been in the making for years it was not yet constituted as a not-for-profit organization. During our conversation, the president of AIPTI volunteered information and evidence that an association has been in the making at least since 2007. I must refrain from providing details as to what information I was given because I promised confidentiality. But I do now believe beyond any reasonable doubt they have been organizing this association for a very long time.

In my post I had also raised a question regarding someone who left our group only three days before AIPTI purchased its domain. My question surrounded the time line, the fact that this person expressed a “difference of opinions” but had never voiced their opinions, etc. After my conversation with the president of AIPTI, some light has been shed on this person’s odd behavior and I don’t think it has anything to do with AIPTI.

I also questioned why no one thought to include TEBP when AIPTI was launched. During our conversation I explained to the president of the association that if TEBP would have known about their project, upon reviewing their mission statement we would probably have given them our full support. I was then told that because AIPTI supports TEBP’s mission, they had decided the president would be sending me the info personally. In fact, she had actually sent me (and several other people) a copy of their press release through LinkedIn the day before the association was launched to the public. Unfortunately, I never saw that information, and I believe that may have contributed in part to the misunderstanding.

What in my view made this conversation productive was that, despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding it, I had the chance to exchange opinions with the president regarding some of the issues translators face today and I have found that we share a great deal of common views. I also got the chance to further understand AIPTI’s mission and I feel that it differs a bit from that of TEBP, but aside from a couple of things I would like to further discuss with her if I get a chance, overall I think what they are trying to do is quite respectable and I sincerely hope they are able to carry their mission out.

On a personal note, I wish the circumstances surrounding how I got to talk to the president were different. After our conversation I felt I was talking to someone who genuinely cares about our industry and who is willing to work (and fight) very hard to improve working conditions for us all. Although that’s just my personal impression, I think it’s worth sharing.

As far as members of TEBP who are using materials from TEBP on other forums, I would again like to kindly ask them to let me know next time. Under the series of events that led to this misunderstanding, that didn’t help.

Finally, there are two things I would like to clarify with this post, just for the record:

My intention when publishing my first post was not to discredit or harm AIPTI or any of its members in any way. All of the information I had is verifiable and true to the best of my knowledge at the time, unfortunately there was some information I lacked because it was not intended for the general public in the first place.

Although I was requested and advised from several sources to delete my previous post, I have decided not to do that at this time. The reason is simple: what I published was published in good faith. I know in general there are going to be a lot of mixed feelings regarding my post for while, but all the information I had before today made me feel things needed to be clarified. I could not bring myself to letting something that seemed odd and fishy just sit there. I will not apologize for defending my beliefs or for trying to clear up a misunderstanding. I cannot apologize for speaking my mind or fighting for what I think is right. If I ever did that, I would have to drop out of Law School. I will, however, apologize if I have caused any real harm, as it was never my intention to do so and I will NOT condone or support any misuse of my previous post, particularly if it is used with the intention of harming AIPTI or any of its members in any way.