The University Jaume I is witnessing the birth
of an association of translators and interpreters.
Although the idea of creating this association
already appeared more than seven years ago,
a favourable context was never found until this
moment. The distance between the graduates had
always set an important drawback to its creation.
Fortunately, the X Anniversary of the Translation
and Interpreting Degree at the University Jaume
I provided a moment for different graduates
to meet and some committed to this idea, which
the others received with enthusiasm.
The idea was so welcomed and we started to
work. An already existing association at the
University, called SAUJI, offered us a structure
from which we could begin working for the community.
Within SAUJI, and as a first specialized section
within its structure, we hope to motivate translators
and interpreters to participate constantly and
to actively commit with and meet the needs of
the profession.
The association's final target, once its solidity
can be proven, would be to become an independent
entity offering a wider range of services to
its members –primarily, giving voice to the
claims for an institutional recognition of the
professionals who devote their efforts to offering
translation and interpreting services.
This association may well be a first step to
contribute to a cooperative milieu where students
and former students, professionals and trainers
can keep in touch. Hopefully, the initiative
will improve the situation of all its members
and, also, of the whole society, as a consumer
of translation and interpreting services.
