Mexican Translators Association

The Mexican Translators Association, known in Spanish as Organización Mexicana de Traductores or OMT, is a Mexican nonprofit professional association for translators and interpreters. It was established in Mexico City in 1992 to strengthen the professional standing of translation and interpreting, encourage ethical and quality standards, and create opportunities for education, research, and exchange among language professionals. The organization is not a commercial translation agency or a conventional consumer brand; its activities are centered on professional development, community building, advocacy, and the recognition of translation and interpreting as specialized occupations. The association later developed regional chapters as the demand for translation and interpreting services expanded across Mexico. Its Western Chapter emerged in Guadalajara from informal meetings among experienced translators. The group built professional relationships with academic institutions, organized seminars, and connected with the director of the translation and interpreting master's program at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, established in 1995. In 1999, the Guadalajara group formally affiliated with the national association and became the Western Chapter. By 2004, the OMT had four chapters: the Central Chapter in Mexico City, the Puebla Chapter, the Villahermosa Chapter, and the Western Chapter based in Guadalajara. Organizational difficulties later led to the dissolution of the Puebla and Villahermosa chapters, while the Central Chapter also ceased operations during the same period. The Western Chapter subsequently became the association's only active seat and its principal administrative and professional center. The Western Chapter provides a forum where translators and interpreters can meet, share professional experience, discuss technical and ethical questions, and pursue continuing education. Its activities include courses, workshops, seminars, certificate programs, conferences, and professional networking. Its educational portfolio has included English-to-Spanish translation and English-to-Spanish legal translation certificates. The legal translation program has been described as recognized by Mexico's Secretariat of Public Education and has also been offered online for people outside Guadalajara. The association has additionally supported workshops in computer-assisted translation tools, audiovisual translation, literary translation, pharmaceutical translation, and consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. A French translation course was offered at one point but was discontinued because of insufficient enrollment. One of the association's most visible initiatives is the St. Jerome International Translation and Interpreting Conference. It began with a 1996 gathering connected to International Translation Day and developed into an annual professional event featuring workshops, presentations, and roundtables. Since 2007, the conference has been included in the professional program of the Guadalajara International Book Fair, expanding its visibility and giving participants opportunities to engage with a larger literary and publishing environment. The association has also maintained links with universities and educational organizations, including the Monterrey Institute of Technology's León campus, the Angloamericano University Center, and the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. Its broader international connections include participation in the Latin American Regional Center and the North American Regional Center. In addition to events and training, the OMT has pursued public education and professional recognition through publications. A magazine associated with the organization was published in Puebla until 2003. The association's stated role remains to promote the professional image of translators and interpreters, facilitate knowledge exchange, advance ethical and quality standards, and serve as a reference point for education and research in the field. The current chairwoman identified in the available reference material is Michèle Cecilia Arriola de la Mora.

The Mexican Translators Association, or Organización Mexicana de Traductores (OMT), was created in Mexico City in 1992 as a nonprofit professional organization. Its purpose was to help establish translation and interpreting as recognized professions in Mexico, promote quality and ethical conduct, and give practitioners opportunities to exchange knowledge and improve their skills. As translation and interpreting activity grew beyond the capital, the association developed regional chapters. The Western Chapter originated in Guadalajara through informal meetings among experienced translators. The group gradually expanded its professional network by working with academic contacts, including the director of the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara's translation and interpreting master's program, and by arranging seminars on professional and technical issues. In 1999, the Guadalajara group formally joined the Mexico City association and became the Western Chapter. The OMT had four chapters by 2004: Central in Mexico City, Puebla, Villahermosa, and Western in Guadalajara. Later in 2004, organizational difficulties resulted in the dissolution of the Puebla and Villahermosa chapters. The Central Chapter subsequently closed as well, leaving the Western Chapter as the association's only active seat and principal headquarters. This chapter continued the OMT's national mission while serving as a local community and meeting place for language professionals. Education has remained a major part of the association's work. The Western Chapter has offered certificates in English-to-Spanish translation and English-to-Spanish legal translation, with the legal program described as officially recognized by Mexico's Secretariat of Public Education. An online version was made available to members and students outside Guadalajara. The association and its members have also organized workshops on computer-assisted translation tools such as Wordfast and memoQ, audiovisual and literary translation, pharmaceutical translation, and consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. A French translation course was offered in the past but was discontinued because enrollment was insufficient. The association's principal recurring event is the St. Jerome International Translation and Interpreting Conference. It began in September 1996 with a gathering held to mark International Translation Day. Over time, the meeting developed into an annual conference featuring workshops, presentations, and roundtables for translators and interpreters. The event has provided continuing education and a setting for discussion of cultural, practical, and professional issues. Since 2007, its inclusion in the Guadalajara International Book Fair's professional program has connected the translation community with one of Mexico's most important literary and publishing events. The OMT has also cultivated relationships with universities and educational institutions, including the Monterrey Institute of Technology's León campus, the Angloamericano University Center, and the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. Internationally, it has participated in the Latin American Regional Center and the North American Regional Center, helping give the organization visibility beyond Mexico. Its dissemination work has included a magazine published in Puebla until 2003 and other efforts to circulate knowledge about translation and interpreting. The association also hosts American Translators Association certification examinations for English-Spanish and Spanish-English translators, generally on a recurring schedule rather than as a permanent in-house credential. The available reference material identifies Michèle Cecilia Arriola de la Mora as the current chairwoman and lists several former presidents, but does not provide their terms. The OMT's continuing role is to support professional recognition, education, standards, research, and peer exchange for translators and interpreters in Mexico.

• 2007

  St. Jerome conference enters FIL programming

  [1]Mexican Translators Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The Guadalajara International Book Fair began including the conference in its professional activities.

• 2004

  Western Chapter becomes the active seat

  [1]Mexican Translators Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The Puebla and Villahermosa chapters were dissolved, and the Central Chapter later closed, leaving the Western Chapter as the only active seat.

• 2003

  Puebla publication ends

  [1]Mexican Translators Associationen.wikipedia.org

  A magazine associated with the organization was published in Puebla until this year.

• 2002

  Institutional relationships expanded

  [1]Mexican Translators Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The Western Chapter began developing relationships with additional universities and educational institutions in Mexico.

• 1999

  Western Chapter joins the OMT

  [1]Mexican Translators Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The Guadalajara group formally affiliated with the national association and became its Western Chapter.

• 1996

  First St. Jerome conference gathering

  [1]Mexican Translators Associationen.wikipedia.org

  Translators who would later form the Western Chapter held a gathering in September to mark International Translation Day, the beginning of the association's long-running St. Jerome conference.

• 1995

  Academic relationship with Guadalajara translation program develops

  [1]Mexican Translators Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The Guadalajara translator network established ties with the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara's master's program in translation and interpreting.

• 1992

  Association established in Mexico City

  [1]Mexican Translators Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The Mexican Translators Association was founded as a nonprofit organization focused on professionalism in translation and interpreting.

A nonprofit, education-led professional association positioned as a national meeting point for Mexican translators and interpreters. The OMT emphasizes professional recognition, ethical practice, quality standards, continuing education, academic exchange, and connections between language professionals and cultural or educational institutions.

• Professional education

  English-to-Spanish Translation Certificate

  A certificate course intended to develop specialized English-to-Spanish translation skills. It forms part of the OMT's broader educational mission to help practitioners improve competence, remain competitive, and strengthen the professional standing of translation in Mexico.

• Professional education

  English-to-Spanish Legal Translation Certificate

  A specialized certificate program focused on legal translation between English and Spanish. The available material describes the program as recognized by Mexico's Secretariat of Public Education and notes that an online format has been available for members and students outside Guadalajara.

• Conference · 1996

  St. Jerome International Translation and Interpreting Conference

  The association's principal recurring professional event, featuring workshops, presentations, and roundtables for translators and interpreters. It grew from a 1996 International Translation Day gathering and has been part of the Guadalajara International Book Fair's professional programming since 2007.

• Professional education

  Continuing education workshops

  Short courses and workshops address practical and specialist topics, including computer-assisted translation tools, audiovisual and literary translation, pharmaceutical translation, and consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. Topics are designed to respond to changing professional needs.

• Certification support

  ATA certification examination hosting

  The OMT hosts American Translators Association examinations for English-Spanish and Spanish-English translators. The examination is generally scheduled every two or three years and is distinct from an OMT-issued certification.

• 2007Guadalajara International Book Fair professional partnership

  Mexico · Publishing and literary sector

  The St. Jerome conference was incorporated into the Guadalajara International Book Fair's professional activities, linking the OMT's translator and interpreter community with authors, publishers, educators, and other book-industry participants.

  Outcome. The conference gained additional networking and professional-development opportunities through participation in the book fair.

  Source
• 1996St. Jerome International Translation and Interpreting Conference

  Mexico · International professional community

  A professional conference originating in Guadalajara as an International Translation Day gathering. It developed into an annual event for continuing education, peer exchange, workshops, presentations, and discussion of cultural and practical issues in translation and interpreting.

  Outcome. The gathering became one of the association's signature initiatives and later attracted approximately 250 language professionals according to the available reference material.

  Source

• 2004

  Consolidation around the Western ChapterStrategy

  Background

  Organizational challenges affected several OMT chapters during and after 2004.

  Action taken

  The Puebla and Villahermosa chapters were dissolved, the Central Chapter later closed, and the Western Chapter became the only active seat.

  Aftermath

  The Guadalajara-based Western Chapter assumed the association's continuing operational and professional role.

  Source

• 1999

  Formal affiliation of the Guadalajara networkStrategy

  Background

  Translators in Guadalajara had developed an informal professional network and wanted a more formal organizational structure.

  Action taken

  The group associated with the Mexico City-based Mexican Translators Association and established the Western Chapter.

  Aftermath

  The Western Chapter became the foundation of the association's continuing presence in Guadalajara.

  Source

1. 1Mexican Translators Associationen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Organización Mexicana de Traductores official websiteomt.org.mx