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Code of Conduct

Purpose

ALTA is committed to ensuring equity and access across the broad range of our activities and initiatives, maintaining a culture in which all members, staff, conference attendees, and participants in ALTA programming feel welcome, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, language, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ability status, socioeconomic status, immigration status, and other forms of difference, and valuing myriad and differing intellectual and artistic contributions, political and ideological views, and lived experiences for their capacity to enrich ALTA’s work and contribute to its success as a membership organization.

It is therefore incumbent upon the organization to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and welcome and has their needs accommodated. We wish to eliminate barriers to accessing our programming and to joining the literary translation profession. This document outlines the behavior expected to help achieve that environment and also specifies behaviors that are strictly prohibited.

“Participant” in this policy refers to anyone present at ALTA meetings, conferences, programming, and other events, including ALTA staff, contractors, vendors, exhibitors, venue staff, ALTA members, volunteers, and all other attendees.

Expected behavior

  • Respect everyone’s personal dignity and bodily autonomy—regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, language, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ability status, socioeconomic status, immigration status, and/or other forms of difference.
  • Take care to avoid making assumptions about what someone translates based on their stated or perceived identity or what their first language is.
  • Take care to avoid making assumptions about the quality of someone’s work or their amount of experience based on their stated or perceived identity or what their first language is.
  • Be aware that discriminatory behavior can take many forms in addition to the above. You may not realize when you make a biased statement or engage in harmful behaviors, so be open to hearing how your words and actions have affected others.
  • Respect the verbal and visual cues that say your words or actions are unwelcome.
  • Support anyone wishing to report harassment or abuse.

Prohibited behavior

The following is a non-comprehensive list of prohibited behaviors:

  • Abusive language, discourtesy, or rudeness towards any other participant at any time.
  • Bullying, belittling, intimidation, or taking unfair advantage of a fellow participant.
  • Harassing photography or recording.
  • Sustained disruption of panels, roundtables, talks, or other events.
  • Verbal or physical harassment or assault of a fellow participant.
  • Sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, abuse, assault, and stalking.
  • Prejudicial actions or comments related to actual or perceived age, race, ethnicity, language, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ability status, socioeconomic status, immigration status, and other forms of difference.
  • Real or implied threat of violence toward any individual or group.
  • Conduct endangering the life, safety, health or well-being of others.

Reporting and Resolution

Reports of complaints for formal resolution should be made to the ALTA Board Secretary, but initial reports of prohibited behavior may be made directly to any ALTA Board or staff member. If the complaint concerns the Board Secretary, a report should be made to the ALTA President.

Reports of these behaviors will be immediately investigated. Guidelines for the formal resolution process can be found here (opens in new tab).

If deemed necessary, the resolution panel may consult outside counsel to assist in the investigation. No individual will be retaliated against for making a complaint or assisting with the investigation of a complaint.

Anyone who has been found to engage in prohibited behavior is subject to disciplinary action. ALTA reserves the right to expel, censure, and/or bar from future ALTA meetings and events any participant who violates the code of conduct.

ALTA’s Equity Advocates are also dedicated to making the ALTA conference and the community a safe space for all translators. Concerns can be raised informally with any member of the Equity Advocates in person or at Requires JavaScript.

 

This Code of Conduct includes material adapted from ALTA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement, the Code of Conduct in the 2020 American Comparative Literature Association conference program, and the Nonprofit Risk Management Center’s sample Code of Conduct.