ATA - American Translators Association Use of Reference Materials Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A candidate preparing for the ATA exam is deciding which reference materials to use. According to ATA rules for both in-person and online exams, which of the following combinations is fully permissible?
- A collection of personal, printed glossaries and multiple bilingual and monolingual paper dictionaries. (Correct answer)
- An external hard drive containing a personal terminology database and several specialized PDF dictionaries.
- A subscription-based terminology management tool and a list of bookmarked online forums.
- An electronic dictionary device and a smartphone with access to a pre-approved list of online dictionaries.
Correct answer: A collection of personal, printed glossaries and multiple bilingual and monolingual paper dictionaries.
The ATA allows candidates to use any and all printed reference materials, including personal notes, glossaries, and any type of paper dictionary. Electronic devices, including external hard drives, dedicated electronic dictionaries, and smartphones, are explicitly forbidden. While some online resources are permitted, interactive forums are not, and all access is through the exam software, not a personal smartphone.
Question 2: During the computerized ATA exam, a candidate is permitted to use a specific, pre-approved list of online resources. What is a key restriction when using an approved search engine like Google from this list?
- The candidate can only perform five searches per passage.
- The candidate may only search for terms and check usage, but is not permitted to click on any of the search results. (Correct answer)
- The candidate must log all searches on a separate sheet for the proctor to review.
- The candidate can click on any link as long as it does not lead to a forum or an interactive chat.
Correct answer: The candidate may only search for terms and check usage, but is not permitted to click on any of the search results.
The ATA's official policy for permitted online resources states that when using a search engine from the approved list, the candidate may search for a term to check spelling or usage but is explicitly forbidden from clicking on any of the search results. This rule prevents access to a wider, uncontrolled range of internet content while still allowing for basic term lookups.
Question 3: What is the primary rationale behind the ATA's policy of allowing 'open book' access to dictionaries and other reference materials during the certification exam?
- To compensate for the fact that spell-check and grammar-check are disabled on the exam software.
- To reduce the need for candidates to have specialized subject matter expertise.
- To simulate a professional translator's real-world working environment where such resources are standard tools. (Correct answer)
- To ensure that all candidates, regardless of their native language, have equal access to lexical support.
Correct answer: To simulate a professional translator's real-world working environment where such resources are standard tools.
The open-book policy is designed to reflect how professional translators work. In real-world assignments, translators have access to and are expected to use dictionaries, glossaries, and style guides to produce accurate and high-quality work. The exam aims to test translation skills in a realistic context, not rote memorization of vocabulary.
Question 4: A candidate is taking the exam and encounters an unfamiliar legal term. They have several print resources available. Given the time constraints, which of the following is the most efficient and effective use of these materials?
- First, look up every word in the sentence in a general bilingual dictionary to build context.
- Immediately consult a specialized, subject-specific dictionary (e.g., a legal dictionary) for a precise, in-context definition. (Correct answer)
- Use a thesaurus to find alternative words in the source language before attempting to translate.
- Cross-reference the term in two different general bilingual dictionaries to see if the first result is correct.
Correct answer: Immediately consult a specialized, subject-specific dictionary (e.g., a legal dictionary) for a precise, in-context definition.
For specialized terminology, a subject-specific dictionary is the most direct and reliable resource. A general dictionary may not have the term or may provide a definition that is not appropriate for the specific legal context. Wasting time looking up every word or cross-referencing in multiple general dictionaries is inefficient under timed exam conditions. ATA's exam tips recommend using dictionaries judiciously.
Question 5: Which of the following resources is explicitly allowed for both in-person and online ATA certification exams?
- A personal laptop to access locally-stored glossaries and PDFs.
- A tablet device for looking up terms in pre-approved online dictionaries.
- Printed, personally-created glossaries and style guides. (Correct answer)
- Interactive terminology forums like the WordReference forums.
Correct answer: Printed, personally-created glossaries and style guides.
The ATA consistently states that all printed resources are allowed for both exam formats. This includes any dictionaries, thesauruses, and personally created materials like printouts and notecards. A personal laptop is used to take the exam but not to access locally stored files (translations are typed into specific software). Other electronic devices like tablets are forbidden, and interactive forums are never allowed.
Question 6: A candidate wisely brings a monolingual target-language dictionary to the exam, in addition to bilingual dictionaries. In which scenario would this resource be most valuable?
- When the candidate does not understand a word in the source text.
- When confirming the spelling of a common word in the target language.
- When choosing between several potential target-language translations offered by a bilingual dictionary to ensure the chosen word has the correct nuance and usage. (Correct answer)
- When trying to find a direct, one-to-one equivalent for a source-language idiom.
Correct answer: When choosing between several potential target-language translations offered by a bilingual dictionary to ensure the chosen word has the correct nuance and usage.
A bilingual dictionary may offer several potential translations for a source term. A monolingual target-language dictionary is the best tool to verify the precise meaning, connotation, and typical usage (collocations) of each option in the target language. This helps the candidate select the most appropriate and idiomatic term, which is a key skill tested. While it can be used for spelling, its main value lies in confirming nuance and context.
