ITI was founded in 1986, as a breakaway group from the Institute of Linguists and successor to the IOL's Translators' Guild. As the principal professional association of translators and interpreters in the United Kingdom, it has become one of the primary sources of information on translation and interpreting to government, industry, the media and the public. It was one of the bodies consulted regarding the creation of the EN 15038 European quality standard for the provision of translation services.
Aim
The Institute of Translation & Interpreting aims to promote the highest standards in the translation and interpreting professions. It achieves this through the publication of a bimonthly bulletin and pamphlets, the organization of regular conferences and courses linked to Continuing Professional Development, rigorous criteria for full membership including examinations and peer assessment, and a mentoring scheme for newcomers to the profession. The institute also worked together with the CIoL on the establishment and administration of the new designation of Chartered Linguist, as well as collaborating with numerous other UK-based interpreting organizations in the umbrella body Professional Interpreters for Justice, to campaign against the new Ministry of Justice framework agreement for public service interpreting.
Membership
Although most of its members are based in the United Kingdom, ITI has members from across continental Europe and other countries where English is commonly used. The main grades of individual membership are Fellow, Qualified Member, Associate, Affiliate and Student, and there are categories for individual Supporters and Academics, with some Corporate Members, classified into Corporate - Language Services Business, Corporate Education and Corporate Affiliate. In November 2007 the numbers at each level were 30 Fellows, 1421 Members, 987 Associates, 85 Students and 77 Corporates, with a further 7 honorary and 35 concessionary members, making a total of 2642. Members are bound by the institute's Code of Professional Conduct. Fellows and Qualified Members are entitled to use the postnominals FITI and MITI; the equivalent AITI for Associates was abolished when the precise definition of 'Associate' changed several times in around 2005, but was reinstated in 2013.
Bulletin Magazine
The bulletin is published bi-monthly and has an estimated readership of 7000. As well as publicising ITI events, including conferences, workshops etc., it contains articles relating to translating and interpreting. Some editions include interviews with authors and articles on world issues running alongside regular features on the pitfalls of poor translation, reviews of translation software, taxation, money matters, and the many uses of translation and interpreting.
Conference
On of the highlights in the ITI Calendar is its , held every two years at different venues across the UK. The most recent event held at Cutlers' Hall in Sheffield in May 2019 was attended by 375 people, while previous editions in recent years were held in cities such as Cardiff, Newcastle, Gatwick Airport, Birmingham and London. In years when there is no conference, the Institute organises a one-day event, most recently in London in 2018. The next event will be held in Bristol in June 2020.
Regional groups and networks
From the beginning, ITI members have sought to form groups based on regional, language and specialist lines. ITI has regional groups that span the United Kingdom, such as the ITI Scottish Network and ITI London Regional Group. Language groups such as the German Network, French Network and Japanese Network, as well as subject-based networks such as STEP and infotech, maintain internet-based groups for purposes such as the clarification of terminological queries, discussion of best practice, sharing work, and organizing social events.
