ATIO Offers Community Interpreting Workshop to help Syrian Refugees arriving in Canada

Translators and interpreters from all over Ontario will gather in Toronto and Ottawa to learn how they can help 25,000 Syrian refugees arriving in Canada.

OTTAWA, Dec. 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Helping 25,000 Syrian refugees settle in communities across Canada will be difficult as many do not speak English or French. ATIO is aware that translators and interpreters' help will be crucial to make a difference.

"Our education systems do extremely well preparing English and French translators and interpreters, but right now we need more Arabic and Kurdish professionals. That is why we are calling on all interpreters and translators in Ontario to register with ATIO or their provincial associations to help," says Lisa Carter, President of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario.

The lack of Arabic and Kurdish translators in Canada means the Government faces an even more daunting challenge helping Syrian refugees settle in predominantly English-speaking or French-speaking provinces.

An exploration of these issues and the ways in which translators and interpreters can help newly-arrived refugees will form the basis of workshops to be held at York University's Glendon College in Toronto and the University of Ottawa on December 15 and 16, 2015, respectively.

During the training sessions in Ottawa and Toronto, translators and interpreters will review interpretation best practices, carry out practice interpreting scenarios and review the code of ethics in order to develop good skills in interpretation. Non-member professionals will also discover the advantages of being part of the professional association that promotes the language professions in Ontario.

"We hope that after this workshop, translators and interpreters will recognize how important their professional skills are to help others in humanitarian situations such as this one. We are certain they will return to their communities with new knowledge and eager to help the newly-arrived Syrian families," added Ms. Carter.

Your media house is cordially invited to the training session at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at the Glendon College, York University and at the University of Ottawa on December 16, 2015.

• Toronto-- Glendon College, Room YH129, York University, 2275 Bayview Avenue, Toronto ON  M4N 3M6  Canada
• Ottawa-- Faculty of Arts, Simard Hall, Room 125 & 129, 60 University, University of Ottawa

ABOUT ATIO

ATIO is the first translators' association in the world whose certified members are deemed professionals by law. In February 1989, the Province of Ontario granted a reserved title for certified members of ATIO through the Association of Translators and Interpreters Act, 1989. In Ontario, ATIO is the exclusive certifying body for translators, terminologists, conference interpreters, court interpreters, community interpreters and medical interpreters.

SOURCE The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario

Image with caption: "The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (CNW Group/The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151209_C9539_PHOTO_EN_44555.jpg

For further information:

Marc Pandi, Executive Director, Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario, Phone: [phone], Toll-free: 1-800-234-5030, Cell: 613 979-2909, Email: [e-mail]; More information is available at www.atio.on.ca