Director of National Virtual Translation Center to speak at UF

November 15, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Translation Program will host Everette Jordan, the director of the National Virtual Translation Center, on Thursday.

Jordan will speak at noon in Room 219 of Dauer Hall about U.S. language policy and the need for translators and interpreters. Jordan is a decision-maker at the highest level in Washington on matters of “language policy.” The public is invited to his speech.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity at UF to hear from a senior public policy official on the critical importance of language studies and language careers in the United States,” said Elizabeth Lowe, director of the translation studies program.

Students will have an opportunity to meet with Jordan from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in Room 215 of Dauer Hall. They can learn more about language careers and internship opportunities in the federal government.

The National Virtual Translation Center is an Intelligence Community Element established under Section 907 of the USA Patriot Act and under the 2003 Intelligence Authorization Act. Building a nationwide team of highly qualified, motivated linguists and translators is part of the center’s mission.

Jordan is responsible for building a new Intelligence Community enterprise that employs language specialists across the United States who can increase government resources by translating high-priority translation requests from Intelligence Community agencies.