ISIG meeting on March 21, 2026
After a long hiatus following the departure of its previous coordinator, AATIA’s Interpreters Special Interest Group (ISIG) will resume meeting on March 21, 2026 under the leadership of our new ISIG Coordinator, Dolores Gloria. The meeting will be held at the Asian American Resource Center (8401 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX 78754) from 12 to 2 p.m.
Our program will feature a presentation by freelance interpreter Bertha Jacobson. Her topic will be “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Interpreting Between Languages.”
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Interpreting Between Languages
This presentation will explore the multifaceted world of language interpreting, highlighting the triumphs, challenges, and pitfalls that interpreters encounter in cross-linguistic communication. Attendees will gain insights into effective strategies for accurate interpretation, common obstacles that can hinder the interpreting process, and ethical dilemmas that professionals may face. Join us for a candid discussion on what works, what doesn’t, and how to navigate the complexities of bridging languages in diverse settings.
About our presenter
Bertha Jacobson was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico. Upon graduating from high school, she moved to the United States, where she graduated with a BSEE and MSE in Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. She worked in the DFW area for fifteen years as a software engineer while nurturing her interest in the written word.
In 1999, Bertha moved to San Antonio, Texas, and was a stay-at-home-mom for three years before entering the court interpreting profession. She was approved as a licensed court interpreter (LCI) (master level) for the state of Texas in 2003 and became a federally certified court interpreter (FCCI) in 2007. She spent nine years working as a freelance interpreter and gained experience in multiple areas: court interpreting, child protective services, conferences, medical interpretation, school related events, marketing focus groups and church services, among others.
Since 2013, she has been freelancing exclusively for the Texas Workforce Commission appeals department. This job gives her a lot of satisfaction and flexibility to spend time with her family. When not working, Bertha loves to travel and learn new things. She is also a published writer both in English and Spanish.
When? March 21, 2026, 12-2 p.m.
Where? Community Room 1, Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX 78754 map
Those who are unable to attend in person may join the meeting via Zoom.
Contact ISIG Coordinator Dolores Gloria for connection information.
SpanSIG meeting on March 26, 2026
AATIA’s Spanish Special Interest Group ( SpanSIG) will meet on March 26, 2026, at
6 p.m. under the leadership of its new coordinator, Claudia Palma-Murray.
The meeting will be held online via Zoom. This will be an informal meeting to discuss future plans for SpanSIG. The meeting is expected to last about an hour. Anyone who works in Spanish/English is welcome to attend.
Contact SpanSIG Coordinator Claudia Palma-Murray for connection information.