El Paso Interpreters and Translators Association (EPITA) was officially begun on February 9, 1984 in El Paso, Texas, under the name of Texas Association of Court Interpreters and Translators (TACIT). In March of 1987, the membership approved a bylaws amendment for a name change and TACIT became Texas Interpreters and Translators Association (TITA). The word "COURT" was dropped as it was felt that many interpreters and translators not actually employed by the courts were reluctant to approach us. Finally, in October of 1993, the membership voted to approve the name change to our present name: El Paso Interpreters and Translators Association. The purpose of this change was to free the Texas Interpreters and Translators Association name in the event of an umbrella organization for all Texas associations became a reality.

The goals and objectives of this professional association are:

• The advancement, protection and benefit of its members.

• To elevate the status of its members and to advance their interests.

• To unite the interpreters and translators in El Paso and surrounding areas in a movement tending to upgrade the profession, to meet the increasing demand for more qualified interpreters and translators.

• To promote and support programs for certification, maintain communication with similar organizations, work with institutions of higher learning, government agencies, business in general, legal and medical professions to achieve our goals.

• To make the public aware of our special skill and uplift our image.

• To increase the working efficiency of our members through workshops and seminars.

• To promote fellowship and good will among members giving the organization the status of a professional organization.

From its inception EPITA has promoted continuing professional education of its members. In addition to speakers at its monthly meetings, for the last 11 years EPITA has held an annual Border Area Translation and Interpretation Workshop. See here for information on this year’s conference, where a renowned attorney, translator, lecturer, and lexicographer from Mexico City was the principal presenter.

During these yearly workshops many of the same Continuing Education topics that are now required of Texas Licensed Court Interpreters have been presented. In recent years we have covered topics such as: Ethics, Tape Transcription and Translation, Note-Taking for Consecutive Interpretation, Sight Translation Skill-Building, Business Practices for Freelance Interpreters, and Telephonic Interpretation. These topics have been presented by highly-qualified and experienced lecturers, including Certified Federal Court Interpreters with more than 20 years’ experience both professionally and in training other interpreters.

Consistent with our history of professional continuing education, participants in courses offered by EPITA will improve in their knowledge and skills for the highest-caliber of interpreting services to the Texas courts, bar, and public. They will have been exposed both to the theory and practice of each subject matter to be presented in the courses. And they will leave with an increased sense of professionalism and confidence in the discharge of their assigned duties.

In addition to the monthly speakers and yearly workshops, at different times specialized topics have been presented by particularly-qualified speakers. Most recently, in September 2005, Thomas L. West, attorney, translator, and lexicographer, presented a half-day workshop on “Criminal Law and Procedure in the United States and Mexico.”

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