“Save the world – with added bonuses”

This session aims to provide a critical look at volunteer work, focusing on real or perceived benefits – and beneficiaries. Can pro bono work for humanitarian organizations serve as a laboratory for for-profits? Are crowdsourcing and machine translation friends or foes in this segment? Is demonetization of this segment a danger for the profession, a desirable end or a bad mistake?

Analyzing famous case studies, we will try to do away with emotionally potent oversimplifications, and identify key aspects that can help in making conscious ethical choices.

Attila Piróth holds a PhD in theoretical physics and an MSc in scientific translation. He made the choice between the two careers when he had the opportunity to translate some of Einstein’s original articles.
In 2007, Attila passed the American Translators Association certification exam, which boosted his freelance career. In the same year he set up the Solidarités translation team with the twin aim of providing linguistic aid to a humanitarian organisation and of creating a unique working environment in which translators can network around worthy projects. In 2009 he started mentoring new translators, and in 2010 he joined IAPTI to promote ethical business practices in the translation and interpreting sectors and currently serves as Vice President of IAPTI’s Ethics Committee. Attila has given workshops and conference talks in 10 countries.