The ATA Chronicle - January/February 2021 - 16

Instead of " going with
the flow, " I found
myself being more
active and proactive,
researching new
avenues, working
hard but enjoying the
process, and feeling
alive and grateful.
New challenges are
invigorating-what's
there not to like?

expect will soon enhance my

projects related to COVID,

translation business while

including guidelines, press

also providing a potential

releases, and medical staff

new pillar outside of the

training. I even gained

translation industry. Yet,

two clients, who initially

despite the extra leisure

contacted me for a COVID-

time, 2020 was exceptionally

related project and now

chaotic and I looked forward

send me projects regularly.

to its close.

Another positive impact of

AnneCharlotte
Giovangrandi
Palo Alto,
California
As a California-based

a major communication
platform moved their annual
conference online, I got to
translate the subtitles of
their keynote speeches.
So, overall, I feel lucky
and grateful!

working exclusively with
agencies, when I first heard
Bill 5 (AB 5) in 2019, I was
terrified. By January 2020,
my fears had materialized:
my two largest clients were
demanding I incorporate
to keep our relationship.
I adamantly refused,
choosing instead to
advocate for an exemption
alongside the Coalition of
Practicing Translators and
Interpreters of California,
a nonpartisan nonprofit
advocacy group.
Surprisingly, the year
started strong, thanks to
additional projects from
regular clients who accepted
my sole proprietor status
and supported my fight
against AB 5. And then the
pandemic hit.
After an abysmal April,
I got a brief stint in
videogame localization,
a sector that definitely
benefited from the
lockdown. Luxury products,
on the other hand, did not,
and my regular translations
of high-end jewelry catalogs
vanished. However, as a
medical translator, I also
started receiving many

The ATA Chronicle | Januar y/February 2021

brighter 2021.

Anwar
Martinez
New York City,
New York
Times have
changed considerably.
I know I'm stating the
obvious, but I would have
never thought in a million
years what 2020 had in

English>French translator

of California Assembly

16

the pandemic for me: when

calling, which has been very
powerful for me.
2020 was full of silver
linings and I'm looking
forward to an even

Ben Karl
Long Beach,
California
Last spring,
a friend of

store. As I had recently
begun my career as a
translator and interpreter,
my vision of the future
didn't include a global
pandemic that was going

mine said that despite all

to shut down entire cities

the challenges 2020 lobbed

across the world.

at us, she found it very easy

I'm based in New

to count her blessings. I

York City and work for a

couldn't agree more. I'm

Catholic religious order

very thankful for my health,

of men dedicated to

my family, my home, and

educating young people,

my work.
Last March, less than six
months after moving to a
new city in a new state and
just when I was getting a
feel for the lay of the land,
we were ordered to shelter
in place. I didn't have to
transition to working from
home, but I did have to
transition to an entirely
home-based existence, my
usual outlets outside having
suddenly closed their doors.
With few places to go and
terrified that my clients
would disappear, I threw
myself into my work and
nearly burned out in the
process. Thankfully, my
clients are all doing well and
I've even managed to find
some new ones. I've found a
new work balance where I'm
no longer afraid they'll stop

especially those who are
disadvantaged. Suddenly,
I found myself wondering
if I should count myself
among the disadvantaged as
my work began to steadily
decrease as the number of
COVID-19 cases increased.
Fortunately, my studies as
a graduate student not only
kept me busy but provided
me with a community of
like-minded individuals who
were going through similar
experiences. This renewed
sense of purpose became
one of the driving forces
that has helped me navigate
the murky waters of the
pandemic. Hopefully the
situation will improve, since
translation and interpreting
remain at the heart of what I
do and who I am.
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The ATA Chronicle - January/February 2021

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