Samuel Murray, Translator - English into Afrikaans | Article index
What follows are four letters in the discourse between myself and SATI's Exec which began with an open letter to the SATI Exec about SATI's vision of the fugure. The open letter was written in English and Afrikaans, but the letters following it was unilingual.
[crossposted: ZaLang and Taalgesprek mailing lists x SATI Exec x sci.lang.translation newsgroup]
2003-05-30
OPEN LETTER TO MEMBERS OF SATI
To whom it may concern
Like many of SATI's [1] members, I am happy and proud to be a member of SATI. SATI is one of the only professional associations for translators in South Africa. That is why I'm concerned that SATI may not be quite on track with fulfilling their objectives and mission statement.
I joined SATI thinking that membership would benefit me and the profession. After a few years' membership, however, I fail to see how I have benefited. I'm also concerned about how the industry as a whole has benefited. When confronted by non-SATI translators about why membership of SATI is a good thing, I struggle to find good answers.
I have re-examined the stated objectives and mission statement of SATI, and I'd like to comment on some of them in the light of SATI's activities.
My name is Samuel Murray. My native language is Afrikaans, and I translate mostly from English into Afrikaans. I'm currently employed as translator of advertisements by the Afrikaans daily, Beeld, in Johannesburg. My SATI membership number is 1000252.
There is a page on SATI's web site [2] detailing the objectives of SATI. Personally I think SATI should publish a report every year in which they explain how they managed each of these objectives. The objectives are:
* To promote the interests of the translation profession.
At first sight this is a rather vague objective. However, it does indicate that SATI is not meant to be a club with benefits for members only, but an authority seeking to promote what's good for the profession as a whole.
* To undertake and promote research in the field of translation and to make the results of such research available.
I am unaware of any translation related research initiated or supported by SATI.
* To obtain appropriate publicity in newspapers and magazines and through other media and to publish and control a journal of its own.
During the last year SATI was mentioned no more than twice in the three big Afrikaans dailies. Therefore, press coverage was, as far as I can tell, minimal. I'm not very happy with the state of SATI's so-called journal either. It is published too infrequently and contains very little usable information. It does contain some news, however, which is good.
* To obtain the co-operation of experts and interested persons from universities and other organizations and of associations and bodies both in this country and abroad and to promote common interests and action.
Perhaps this objective is a long-term goal and one wouldn't really be able measure it in the short term. It would be nice, however, to have some kind of indication about how SATI is going about fulfilling this objective.
* To compile language and translation guides or to have them compiled.
I have seen none of these, ever. I am aware that there is a "guide for clients", which is not freely available but which is available on request.
* To collect and utilize funds for the achievement of its objectives.
To SATI's credit, they have done something in this regard: they've increased the rates of all their member services and a few years ago they have obtained sponsorship for a merit award.
* To introduce a professional code for translators and to work to ensure that members comply with it.
SATI did compile a code of ethics, but there is as of yet no measures to ensure that members comply with it, nor is there a code or procedure for dealing with members who fail to comply with it. A year or two ago there was a movement to change the code of ethics, but nothing has come of it, as far as I can tell.
* To work towards the establishment of proper training facilities for translators.
I should be very interested to know what SATI has done during the past year to fulfil this objective.
On a related note, in a recent article in the Muratho, SATI's journal, a list of translators' courses at tertiary institutions contained no mention of the BTech in Language Practice. Is this meant to imply anything?
* To introduce examinations with a view to admission to membership of the Institute.
This objective does not concern accreditation. It speaks about membership entry examinations. How far are we in realising this objective?
SATI also boasts a mission statement. The mission statement claims that SATI is committed to doing the following:
* Promote excellence in translation and related fields, as well as clarity of thought and expression
* Ensure high standards of professionalism among its members through accreditation and the adoption of a code of ethics
An accredited member is simply a member that passed a translation examination in an artificial environment (the candidate cannot liaise with other professionals nor can he contact the [virtual] client). Accreditation is a measure of how well a translator can translate, therefore. It is not a measure of how well he behaves professionally. The code of ethics does deal with some behavioural issues, but provides very little practical guidelines. In fact, it simply says that members should behave morally when dealing with clients. It does not in any way ensure that clients dealing with different members of the institute get similar treatment of have similar experiences with the different translators.
* Provide support for its members both in their occupational lives and as members of a multi-cultural and dynamic society
I wonder what kind of support SATI has in mind? Job referral seems to be out of the question. The institute does not seem bent on publishing any guides for translators on how to deal with various occupational matters.
What else would I like to see SATI do for me?
1. Publish guides for translators, clients and employers:
- A guide to educate newbie clients
- A guide promoting translation among potential clients
- A guide to educate translators' employers
- Several guides for newbie translators, such as:
- how to deal with clients
- how to set rates, and how different rate systems work
- how to set up shop
- how to start a business
- how to deal with income tax and VAT
- how to obtain further education
- primers on confidentiality, deadlines, difficult client, intertranslator ethics, etc
2. Improve the job referral service
At a recent meeting in Gauteng the SATI Executive explained that a job referral service was not one of SATI's prime objectives. Nevertheless, I think that SATI should try to give members added value. SATI's objectives are to benefit the industry, and they do that using members' money. In order to keep members happy and/or to attract new members, SATI should offer member-only services. One such service is an efficient job referral service.
SATI currently takes out advertisements in local yellow pages and white pages, which is good. SATI also has a freelance register on their web site, which is rather inadequate. The freelance register makes no attempt to educate potential clients on the correct uses of the register, nor does it attempt to present the information in a userfriendly, palatable format.
3. Tell me about the institute's history and past achievements
The institute has been in existence since 1956. What has SATI been doing all those years? Why can't we have this information available on the web site? There is an archive of SATI papers and documentation, but this information is rather inaccessible for members living in Putsonderwater.
4. Improve the rates survey
Personally I think the rate survey should be made compulsory for all members upon renewal of their dues.
5. Improve their branding and public image
I wish I was able to tell clients "I'm a SATI member" and not wish secretly that they don't visit the SATI web site. I wish I could show the SATI journal to fellow translators and see something else than sympathy in their faces.
I'll try to be at the SATI AGM 2003, but because it is held on a weekday I may not be able to arrange time off from work to attend.
Sincerely
Samuel Murray
leuce.com[at]gmail.com
http://www.leuce.com/translate
[1] Suid-Afrikaanse Vertalersinstituut, volledig lid van FIT
[2] http://www.translators.org.za/indexes/english/gen.htm
Geagte lede van die SAVI-hoofkomitee
Daar is my daarop gewys dat die SATI-bestuursverslag sommige van die vrae wat ek in die Ope Brief vra, beantwoord, en tot my spyt moet ek bieg dat dit waar is.
Ek moet egter byvoeg dat ek graag sou wou sien dat die bestuursverslag en diesulke inligting sigbaarder is vir lede wat na dié soort inligting op soek is. Dis maar toevallig dat ek nog 'n afskrif daarvan gehad het (ten spyte van die feit dat dit aan alle lede geë-pos is). 'n Mens verwag immers nie om inligting oor die instituut op 'n mens se eie hardeskyf te vind nie, maar eerder op die instituut se webwerf.
Tog beantwoord die bestuursverslag nie al die vrae oor die toepassing van SAVI se doelstellinge en missiestelling nie. Ek lewer weereens kortliks kommentaar.
>> * Om navorsing op die gebied van vertaling te doen en te bevorder en om die resultate van sodanige navorsing beskikbaar te stel. <<
Ek sien die bestuursverslag maak melding van die navorsingsportefeulje. Wat is die posbeskrywing van hierdie portefeulje? Is dit om navorsing te inisieer, soos in die SAVI-doelstellings geformuleer? Indien nie, moet 'n mens nie dalk die doelstelling aanpas om te lui "Om bystand te lewer met navorsing op die gebied van vertaling en met toegang tot die resultate van sodanige navorsing." nie?
Word die SA Bibliography of Translation, Interpreting, Lexicography and Terminology deur SAVI uitgegee of op 'n manier geborg? Dit klink na 'n besonder nuttige uitgawe vir vertalers -- kan ons daarvan melding op die webwerf kry?
>> * Om toepaslike publisiteit in koerante en tydskrifte te verkry, en ook deur ander media, en om in beheer van 'n eie joernaal te wees. <<
Nouja, 'n mens kan nie vinger wys na die SAVI-joernaal sonder om konkrete voorstelle te maak nie. Ek was sélf al by die publikasie van inhuisjoernale betrokke en ek weet hoe moeilik en frustrerend dit kan wees om onwillige artikel- en rubriekskrywers te melk vir publiseerbare teks.
Voorstelle dus om die joernaal se lyf aan te styf:
Elke uitgawe moet ook kortliks die doelstellings van SAVI bevat, plus besonderhede oor voordele van lidmaatskap, plus volledige inligting oor hoe om aan te sluit. As ek die Bulletin vir 'n medevertaler gee, en dié is suitably impressed, moet hy nie wonder oor hoe om aan te sluit nie.
Rubrieke deur [on]willige medewerkers:
- Inligting oor prominente SAVI-lede (nuus, interviews, ens)
- Inligting oor die verskillende portefeuljes binne SAVI
- Opsomming van nuusgebeure (plaaslik en internasionaal) waarby vertaling betrokke is
- Kortliks inligting oor nuwe lede (nie net name nie)
- Boekresensierubriek (nuwe én bestaande boeke wat vertalers nuttig mag vind)
- "Resensies" van ander vertalersberoepsliggame in die wêreld
>> * Om taal- en vertalinggidse saam te stel of te laat saamstel. <<
Goed, daar is 'n gids vir kliënte (daar is ook 'n opstel hieroor op die webwerf), en Marion-hulle werk aan 'n gids vir beëdigde vertalers en vir redigering. Skitterend. Maar ek wil nie glo dat SAVI in die afgelope 50 jaar net dié drie gidse gepubliseer het nie. Selfs óú gidse en publikasies is van waarde.
>> * Om 'n professionele kode vir vertalers saam te stel en om te verseker dat lede daaraan voldoen.
Daar is ook geen kode of prosedure vir hoe om lede wat nie daaraan voldoen nie, te hanteer nie. <<
'n SAVI-bestuurslid wys my daarop dat SAVI 'n professionele liggaam soos dié van dokters en advokate poog te wees. Wel, by sulke professionele liggame is daar duidelike prosedures vir tug en skorsing, en die lede van sulke liggame is deeglik bewus van die spesifieke vereistes waaraan hulle moet voldoen.
Persoonlik dink ek nie SAVI moet hom beywer as 'n "professionele liggaam" in dieselfde sin as dié van dokters en advokate nie. SAVI moet hom wél beywer om 'n sekere standaard onder sy lede te vestig.
>> * Om 'n eksamen in te stel met die oog op toelatingsvereiste vir lidmaatskap aan die instituut. <<
Indien dié doelstelling verwys na die akkreditasie-eksamen, dan stel ek voor dat die doelstelling gewysig moet word om te lui "Om eksamens vir lede van die instituut te bedryf met die oog op gehaltebestuur binne die bedryf.".
>> * Verbeter die werksgeleentheiddiens <<
Dit word telkens vir my gesê dat SAVI om verskeie redes nie prioriteit aan 'n werksgeleentheiddiens kan gee nie. Ek het één rede waarom dit wel 'n prioriteit moet wees, naamlik die feit dat dit ongelooflik groot waarde tot die SAVI-lidmaatskapvoordeel toevoeg.
>> SAVI het ook 'n vryskutregister op sy webwerf, wat taamlik ontoereikend is. <<
Goed, 'n mens moet darem konstruktief wees, né?
Kom ons maak dus 'n paar voorstelle:
1. In plaas van die ellelange lys vertalers, plaas hulle eerder in 'n soekbare databasissie sodat kliënte kan soek volgens taalkombinasie ens (gewoon CGI sal hiervoor werk).
2. Plaas geakkrediteerdes op 'n aparte bladsy, met 'n verduideliking van wat "geakkrediteerd" is en watter voordele dit vir die kliënt inhou.
3. Plaas beëdigde vertalers op 'n aparte bladsy, met 'n kort verduideliking oor die prosedures en wette in Suid-Afrika in dié verband.
4. Maak ekstra registers vir ander taalpraktyke, en plaas mense wat meer as een diens bied, op meer as een register (teen 'n klein ekstra bedraggie dalk). As mense dus vertaling én redigering bied, kan hulle op die "vertalersbladsy" én die "redigeerdersbladsy" gelys word.
5. Bied mense wat nie lede van SAVI is nie, aan om teen, sê, R50 of R100 per jaar, hulle besonderhede op die vryskutregister te plaas, slégs indien hulle 'n taalkombinasie bied wat minder as 5 SAVI-lede bied. Sodra daar dan soveel lede is met daardie taalkombinasie, word dié nielede verwyder en genooi om by SAVI aan te sluit. Dit sal die register nuttiger maak vir kliënte.
6. Gee lede die geleentheid om vir 'n ekstra R50 of R100 'n eie bladsy op die SAVI-webwerf te hê wat direk van hulle inskrywing in die register af skakel, waarop hulle 'n foto'tjie kan sit of 'n CV of so iets. Maak reëls vir sulke bladsye wat maak dat kliënte wat op dié bladsy beland, ook bewus word van die register se bestaan.
>> * Verbeter die tariefopname
Persoonlik dink ek dat deelname aan die tariefopname verpligtend vir alle lede moet wees, vir opname tydens die hernuwing van hul lidmaatskap. <<
Ek besef dit is moeilik om mense te dwing om bedrae te gee.
Kom ek maak dus weer voorstelle:
- Vra vir benaderde bedrae
- Vra vir wat hulle beskou as 'n billike bedrag
- Vra vir watter bedrae (of maksimum/minimum) wat agentskappe hulle aan aangbied het
- Indien nie verpligtend nie, spoor mense dan aan met dinge soos:
(a) afslag op die plasingsbedrag in die vryskutregister
(b) iets in die register wat hulle *effens* prominenter in die lys laat vertoon
Verdere opmerkings
1. Persoonlik dink ek die webwerf is só 'n belangrike onderdeel van SAVI se kommunikasie én beeld dat dit 'n aparte portefeulje moet wees. Marion verrig 'n wonderwerk met al die hooi wat sy op haar vurk het, en 'n mens is dankbaar hiervoor, maar intussen ly die webwerf daaronder.
2. Die Gauteng-chapter is onlangs berispe omdat hulle die naam van SAVI gebruik het sonder die bestuur se toestemming. Dalk moet die bestuur 'n dokument saamstel oor hoe SAVI-lede en SAVI-chapters die naam van SAVI mag en nie mag gebruik nie. Waar trek SAVI die streep tussen "melding van SAVI maak" en "iets in SAVI se naam doen", byvoorbeeld.
3. Ek herhaal wat ek in die eerste paragraaf gesê het -- sigbaarheid is belangrik. Lede is nie altyd bewys van wat alles gedoen word nie, en soms is hulle wel bewus daarvan dat iets gedoen word, maar hulle weet nie presies wát nie.
Groete
en sterkte met die AJV.
Samuel Murray
leuce.com[at]gmail.com
http://www.leuce.com/translate
Dear Samuel
Your open letter regarding SATI refers. A few general comments first:
1. The executive appreciates the fact that you are concerned with the running of the Institute and desire to see it function optimally. However, we feel strongly that these matters should not be aired in a public forum, largely among non-members, in the first instance. Approach the executive first, and if necessary through them the whole membership. While there may be some merit in sounding out non-members about why they are not members and what SATI would have to do to get them to join, it is also a fact that some non-members have personal axes to grind that have nothing to do with SATI's functioning and that others base their views on outdated information as a result of a loss of contact with the Institute. Airing these views in a public forum (on the Websites of ZaLang and Taalgesprek, as well as in a number of discussions on ZaLang) simply increases the amount of misinformation in circulation (unless you arrange for a SATI representative to reply to each point). In the interests of fairness to all, this is the route that we would prefer you to take.
2. You may get the impression that the executive is not open to hearing your concerns. This is not correct. We welcome constructive criticism. What we object to is apparent criticism with no consideration of what goes on behind the scenes, which is the way that much of your original letter comes across. Your second letter, with the more constructive suggestions, is far easier for us to swallow, and you make some very good suggestions, which we will certainly consider.
3. Please realise that SATI has really only become a relatively effective organisation over the past ten years, and specifically over the past two or so, when the virtual office was established. As the organisation has grown and become more established, more and more demands have been placed on it, which have been difficult to meet with the voluntary services of a handful of executive members, as dedicated as they have been. So although you might ask, "What has SATI done over the (almost) 50 years of its existence?", the reality is that probably close to 80% of its real achievements have occurred since the late 1980s. Looking at it with a slightly longer perspective than what you have, and being in a position to compare what the Institute used to be and what it is today, the executive has in fact achieved a minor miracle in a lot of respects.
4. Another fact that hamstrings a fair number of our plans is the current limbo the Institute is in owing to the proposed establishment of the Professional Board for Language Practitioners - a matter that has been on the back burner for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with SATI. We have been very frustrated by this, but have not been able to do anything about it. We do not want to invest too many resources in projects or action that may be taken out of our hands shortly. Obviously, we can't just stand still, marking time, but it is something that colours all our decisions. There would seem to be some stirrings of action on the side of the Department of Arts and Culture, with a meeting scheduled for late June, so hopefully some constructive developments will occur soon, and we will obviously keep members informed.
5. As you have found in your dealings with the Gauteng Chapter, it is not easy to get people to become involved in the running of an organisation. The majority of the members of the executive have extremely heavy workloads and it is not always easy to make available the time that one should devote to the Institute. This means that at times things move more slowly than they should, and than the executive would like them to. Unfortunately, though, there is not a great deal that can be done in this regard, until the Institute can afford full-time office-bearers. We do feel that there has been a considerable improvement over the past few years and we will continue to strive for further improvement.
That may sound like a lot of excuses, which it probably is in one sense, but the background is important for a full picture. To answer a few specifics from your letter:
* The Institute's objectives: The objectives are there as a guideline. With the Institute's current resources, it is unrealistic to expect to see huge amounts of progress under every objective every year. The constitution does not give a job description for each portfolio, but forms a context within which we can operate. More pressing needs are given priority, so efforts to make the Institute and the profession more widely known receive more attention than, for example, research. But when opportunities arise or gaps become apparent, we do what we can, for example the current project to compile a manual on sworn translation. Similarly, we may not have had much exposure in the newspapers, but we definitely have increased awareness about the profession.
* The Web-site: You are quite right in saying that the site is currently inadequate and this will receive attention in the second half of the year. Expect to be called on to share your expertise!
* Code of ethics: This has unfortunately floundered a little owing to pressure of work and other commitments, but has not been forgotten. Initial discussion on disciplinary procedures is on the agenda for Friday's AGM.
* Training: You ask what the Institute has done over the past year to "work towards the establishment of proper training facilities for translators". The answer is nothing directly, as training has improved considerably over the past decade in South Africa. We were instrumental in introducing the Diploma in Legal Interpreting/BA in Legal Interpreting five or so years ago and we are currently very closely involved with the SAQA proceedings - all training-related. As far as the info in Muratho relating to the BTech course is concerned, we did not receive any feedback from the technikons regarding their courses and assumed that with the current mergers of universities and technikons they would be falling away.
* The Institute's mission: You ask how the Institute sees itself "Provid[ing] support for its members both in their occupational lives and as members of a multi-cultural and dynamic society". Some of the things we have done in this line are providing members with information on developments within the profession (e.g. the National Language Policy, the proposed Professional Council, SAQA), holding workshops and seminars (admittedly on a very limited scale, owing to manpower restrictions), creating public awareness of the professions and what its members do, referring prospective clients to members (we don't understand why you say "Job referral seems to be out of the question" - it's something the current executive actually introduced and actively participates in; we simply do not see the Institute as a job agency, with this as its main focus), providing the opportunity for networking and contact with others in the profession (since a large proportion of members work as freelancers and do not have the support of office colleagues and the resources offered by such an environment), the mentorship programme, organising the Forum for Language Workers in Southern Africa in collaboration with FIT in 1997, establishing the SATI Development Fund and awarding more than R70 000 in bursaries since 1994, our participation in the consultative process (with PanSALB) regarding the SA Language Practitioners' Council and the information that we have that the Min of ACST will be tabling the related Bill in the next few months, our likely participation in the legislative process relating to the Council by commenting on the Bill ... is that adequate for the moment?
* Job referral system: You say you'd like to see this improved. How? We think we currently deal with referrals quite efficiently when we get them. The Web register's format can be improved, but beyond that what do you expect? This is also a function that often happens more effectively at chapter level, as your chapter has been doing.
* History and archives: We can certainly look at making information more readily available. It's unrealistic to expect EVERYTHING to be put onto the Web site, though. If the member in Putsonderwater is really that interested, he should approach us and we can see what we can do about finding the information that is not readily available.
* Tariff survey: We'd love to make it compulsory, but that's just not feasible, is it? We are always very disappointed at the poor response. Especially when people who didn't respond then complain that the information is inaccurate! However, we will be talking to Dan Bradu and perhaps we can come up with a better format this year that will elicit a better response.
* The SA Bibliography of Translation, Interpreting, Lexicography and Terminology: Yes, this is available for sale. The information has been conveyed in the Bulletin on various occasions. However, as background for you... A first draft of this bibliography was published in 1992 together with the proceedings of a round table seminar on changes in translating domains in South Africa by Dr Alet Kruger (SATI executive member and lecturer in Translation Studies at Unisa). This was well received and an update was then commissioned by SATI, which was launched on the Institute's 40th anniversary in August 1996. The second update of the Bibliography was published in 1999. It contained two sections: details of approximately 1 000 articles relating to translation, interpreting, lexicography and terminology, as well as a list of approximately 500 dictionaries and grammar books in European and African languages most used by translators in South Africa. In her capacity as head of the Research portfolio, it is Alet Kruger's task to contact researchers and trainers in these four domains and collate the most recent research. The most recent issue of the Bibliography contains only the section on research and will be presented to SATI at the AGM on 6 June 2003. All listed entries are available to researchers in various public and university libraries, and SATI's collection of "The Language Practitioner" can be consulted in the Archives of the Unisa Library. It will again be for sale as a ring-bound printed document and on stiffy. Please note that neither SATI nor Unisa pays Alet for compiling the Bibliography. SATI sponsors the printing costs, and all proceeds of sales go to SATI's Development Fund, which is used to provide bursaries for translation/ interpreting students.
Thanks once again for your suggestions. We will certainly give attention to them and do our best to improve the service members receive from the Institute.
Regards
Annette Combrink
SATI Chairperson, on behalf of the Executive
Dear Annette
Thanks for your reply. I realise that you must be very busy with arrangements for the AGM, and therefore I'll keep my answers short.
>> However, we feel strongly that these matters should not be aired in a public forum, largely among non-members, in the first instance. <<
There is no private forum exclusively for SATI members.
>> Airing these views in a public forum ... simply increases the amount of misinformation in circulation... <<
I disagree. The very nature of a public forum is that it decreases the amount of misinformation because comments are peer reviewed. All of the forums where I posted are frequented by SATI members, whom I would have hoped would be able to point out any misinformation.
>> * The Web-site: ... Expect to be called on to share your expertise! <<
Gladly. However, I don't think it is lack of expertise that caused the current state of the web site -- rather it is lack of personnel (or lack of time available to current personnel).
Yours sincerely
Samuel Murray
These are my final comments on the SATI executive's response (published here, but not sent to them).
>> However, we feel strongly that these matters should not be aired in a public forum, largely among non-members, in the first instance. <<
As SAVI 'n private klub was waarvan die aktiwiteite nie juis buitestanders sal interesseer nie, sou ek hiermee akkoord gaan. Of as die sake wat ek aangeroer het, inligting uitgelap het wat net vir lede bedoel was en onder gewone omstandighede nie aan nielede bekend sou wees nie, sou ek dit ook verstaan het. Maar SAVI is die vertaalbedryf se enigste en amptelike beroepsliggaam, en die kwessies wat ek uitlig, behels nie enige geheime of vertroulike sake nie. As SAVI wil hê dat 'n mens nie buitestanders moet betrek nie, moet hy hom nie voordoen as 'n nasionale liggaam nie maar eerder as 'n private, geslote klub.
>> Approach the executive first, and if necessary through them the whole membership. <<
Dit smaak na sensuur. Die brief was juis bedoel as 'n ope brief, gerig aan alle lede van SAVI in 'n poging om enersyds mense aan te spoor en andersyds mense te laat nadink oor die toekoms van SAVI.
Sou die SAVI-bestuur die ope brief onveranderd aan lede deurgestuur het? Ek twyfel. Die SAVI-bestuur is van mening dat hy ál die ope brief se vrae voldoende beantwoord het, en daarom sou dit dus onnodig wees om die vrae aan niebestuurslede aan te stuur.
>> While there may be some merit in sounding out non-members about why they are not members and what SATI would have to do to get them to join, it is also a fact that some non-members have personal axes to grind that have nothing to do with SATI's functioning and that others base their views on outdated information as a result of a loss of contact with the Institute. <<
Ja-nee, hiermee stem ek saam. Omtrent 'n kwart van die steun wat ek gekry het vir die ope brief was afkomstig van mense wat uit voeling was met wat SAVI die afgelope paar jaar gedoen het. Dit beteken egter dat ruim driekwart van die mense wat hul solidariteit met my uitgespreek het, óf bestaande lede is óf lede is wat onlangs om redes soortgelyk of onsoortgelyk aan myne uit die instituut getree het.
>> Airing these views in a public forum ... simply increases the amount of misinformation in circulation (unless you arrange for a SATI representative to reply to each point). <<
On the contrary, the purpose and function of a public forum is peer review. I posted the open letter on forums where SATI members probably visit often and I was hoping that those who are more knowledgable than I am would point out my errors (as well as the errors of anyone else offering misinformation). This is in fact what happened.
>> What we object to is apparent criticism with no consideration of what goes on behind the scenes, which is the way that much of your original letter comes across. <<
I have consideration for what I know of, but it is unreasonable to expect of me to have consideration for what I am ignorant of. A silver thread running through much of the open letter is the lack of transparency and lack of available public information about what is going on "behind the scenes".
>> Please realise that SATI has really only become a relatively effective organisation over the past ten years, and specifically over the past two or so, when the virtual office was established. <<
I find this hard to believe, but I have no information to the contrary. Since I assume the executive's response to the open letter was done in good faith, I will therefore accept the executive's bona fides in this regard.
>> Looking at it with a slightly longer perspective than what you have, and being in a position to compare what the Institute used to be and what it is today, the executive has in fact achieved a minor miracle in a lot of respects. <<
Perhaps the executive should blow its own horn and make known to ordinary members this fact.
>> Another fact that hamstrings a fair number of our plans is the current limbo the Institute is in owing to the proposed establishment of the Professional Board for Language Practitioners - a matter that has been on the back burner for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with SATI. We have been very frustrated by this... <<
And so have we. We are even more frustrated by the fact that up to date information on the latest happenings is largely unavailable. The latest official documents (or indeed any documentation) regarding the latest developments available online at the time of writing this reply is dated October 2000. We hear rumours and we hear that SAVI members are working hard behind the scenes. There is a lot of uncertainty.
>> The [institute's] objectives are there as a guideline. With the Institute's current resources, it is unrealistic to expect to see huge amounts of progress under every objective every year. <<
Nevertheless it should be possible to list what little has been achieved under each objective. Perhaps we should rewrite the list of objectives to make it more realistic. It's no good aiming for the stars if what we really should aim for is getting out of the mud.
>> Similarly, we may not have had much exposure in the newspapers, but we definitely have increased awareness about the profession. <<
I can't think of a way to measure this.
>> You say you'd like to see [the job referral system] improved. How? We think we currently deal with referrals quite efficiently when we get them. <<
When we get them, yes.
>> It's unrealistic to expect EVERYTHING to be put onto the Web site, though. <<
Not being able to put everything on the web site is no excuse for putting almost nothing on the web site. My concern is not so much about mere information as it is about answering possible questions in the minds of web site visitors (which includes the press, clients, potential clients, members, ex-members and potential members).
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