CTTIC exams: Taking longer and longer

Each year, CTTIC organizes its annual certification examination for translators in February. When I took the exam years ago, it took the markers until early April or so to release the results. Since then, though, the pace has slowed down considerably.

In past years, I’d be one of the markers, and I was able to identify one main factor behind the excessively long time it takes for candidates to find out their results right from the start. The exam is usually held on the second Saturday in February. Markers, however, wouldn’t get the papers until late March or early April. (Why????) Since many markers, at least the ones I had to team up with (each paper must be graded by two markers in a team), can take up to a month after receiving the papers to grade them, candidates can easily wait until late April or well into May before they learn whether or not they have been accredited.

Today, one of the provincial translators’ associations in Canada sent out the following note:

The results from the Feb 28, 2009 exam are not expected to be ready until late June or even late July. The CTTIC has requested we inform members that they require more time this year, plus the exam was held later than usual in February.

As if holding the exams two weeks later than usual is any excuse for making candidates wait even longer. Markers should have received the papers within a week or so after February 28, and should have returned the results by the end of March. So, what’s the holdup? Why must candidates wait until late June or even late July? Ridiculous.

For the record, this is the first year I haven’t been called in as a marker. You see, I decided to cancel my membership with the Ontario association, ATIO, and apparently, that disqualifies me now as a marker. CTTIC is supposed to be a national organization, with the various provincial associations helping out with the administration. But, I suppose, unless you’re a member of the Ontario association, you’re no longer considered a suitable marker.

Mind you, I’m still a member of CTTIC through my membership of STIBC (British Columbia) and ATIA (Alberta), but both are “Western Canadian associations”, and since Easterners hate all Westerners (which is why I support an independent Western Canadian Republic), I’m now “second class” according to CTTIC.

Sorry, but ATIO membership simply didn’t do anything for me anymore. Their fees are the highest in the country for the worst possible service. Unlike the online directories of STIBC and ATIA, the ATIO directory is a joke and doesn’t show up in Google searches either.

What is more, ATIO began to establish very close links with translation agencies several years ago – including agencies who are known across Canada and the rest of the world as “non-payers”. I just didn’t like the fact that my (excessive) membership fees were going to this cooperation that is nothing if not extremely detrimental to the translation profession and freelance translators.

Oh well, who cares? I’m through with Ontario in every respect of the word. I am a proud Westerner. I only feel sorry for all those candidates now having to spend summer worrying about their professional future.

Comments

[Denis Bousquet]

Dear Vern: I will respond to this, both as CTTIC president and as Director, Independent Translators, for ATIO.
OUCH!
You certainly are sticking it to us. Wham! Right on the kisser. You raise many good points but some statements are a bit gratuitous, à la B-Movie. I would therefore suggest one of two avenues in response to your message. We can either take this private and exchange emails on the various points. Or we keep it public and I will discuss each point one by one with you. Your choice.
And while some might cringe at your words, I do appreciate your honesty and the directness of your comments.

[Werner Patels]

Denis, as you may well have gathered, I am honest, yet direct, and I don't have anything to hide. As far as I'm concerned, we can have this conversation right here in the comment section.

[Tom Ellett]

While I agree that late June or July is too long to wait for the results of a February exam, it's an improvement on the nine months I had to wait for my result when I took the Norwegian-English certification exam two years ago! After getting nowhere with inquiries to ATIO, after eight months I tried to contact CTTIC direct and was asked to refrain on the grounds that I was breaching the anonymity of the examination process.

[Werner Patels]

Tom, nine months? Hells bells!

Well, we're still waiting for Denis to follow up on the gauntlet he's thrown down and explain his position. From the site stats, I know that he's been back here frequently and reading all sorts of entries, but he's not posted any further comments, contrary to his "ominous challenge" earlier.

[Denis Bousquet]

Sorry, clients first. "I'll be back!" Tomorrow that is.

[Denis Bousquet]

Werner:
1) The delay in providing exam results is a simple matter of logistics. CTTIC organizes the exam once a year throughout the country. We offer it in up to 16 language combinations on top of the official languages (E-F, F-E). To have to wait 3 months to obtain your exam results is not extraordinary nor is it "ridiculous". It may be long but it must be understood that CTTIC's Board members, just like those of its member organizations, are all volunteers. Time is a precious commodity for all. To find markers for all combinations requested and to get them in a timely fashion requires great organization skills, which you will find in our administrative directors. This being said, CTTIC is actively working at improving all aspects of its certification program. It's a long and complex endeavour, and we are making progress.
2) That you were not called in as a marker has absolutely nothing to do with your decision to cancel your ATIO membership. This is pure hogwash and as a language professional you should know better than to denigrate the association in such a way. CTTIC uses markers from every corner of the country, from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, and everywhere in between. Why you were not called, I have no idea, but maybe we already had enough markers in your particular language combination, maybe there was no request in your language combination this year, and always using the same markers year after year can lead to problems such as complecency and bias. CTTIC is a national organization, its Board has national representation, and again, it's a matter of who volunteers to take on the various positions on that Board. We appeal to all member organizations when there is an opening. Instead of engaging in gratuitous ranting, get involved, give some of your time to your association, and give us a hand.
3) I will dispense from commenting on your East v. West rant.
4) ATIO's fees are not the highest. If you feel you did not get your money's worth, maybe you did not get involved enough. Whining does not fix things. Offering suggestions or solutions and participating in the process, do.
5) Your comment about ATIO and its close links with translation agencies does not make any sense and is simply baseless.
6) Your conclusion says it all. "Who cares?" I do and all our certified members should too.
À bon entendeur, salut.

[Werner Patels]

When an association official calls valid complaints "whining", the debate has already ended before it's even begun. This is the typical attitude of officials, and ATIO in particular. This is very unprofessional of you -- in the extreme!

I was scheduled to mark papers in a total of three (!) language pairs, and I was among the first to confirm, when contacted earlier this year, that I'd be available.

The close association between ATIO and a certain group of translation agencies, some of which are known as "crooks" on payment practices for translators is not "baseless" but a sad fact.

Your tone and non-answers only prove one thing: I was right to leave ATIO (and Ontario).

Enjoy your time with ATIO and continue to look down your nose on the "whiners".

Finally, ATIO fees are the highest in the country, and the return is NIL.

[hate CTTI , hate STIBC]

I feel you and I hate STIBC just equally for charging so MUCH money but provide visibly nothing in return. It's nothing bu detrimental to freelance translators.... Where are all those our hard earned money went???

We are better of without these suckers. Denis, I admire your courage, but sorry I just think the organization you preside suck. For starters, I registered for court interpretation exam, the fees are well over $300, that's a lot. But guess what, I can't even get a simple guideline to prepare for the exam....

Never experienced a scam like this stinky.