OSTI upcoming events

Translation Tuesday at Mother Foucault's (May 19, 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Translation Tuesday at Mother Foucault's

715 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

7:00 p.m.

Translation Tuesday double feature with Jeremy Klemin reading translations of fiction and non-fiction by Portuguese writer António Lobo Antunes, and Jen Mendez reading excerpts from their translation of one of German author Hans Peter Richter's YA historical novels. The reading will be followed by a short Q&A. Refreshments will be provided!

Jeremy Klemin’s writing and literary translations appear in AGNI, The Atlantic, The New Republic, The New York Times, The New York Times Book Review, and elsewhere. His work has received support from the Fulbright Program, Disquiet International, and the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. He holds an MFA in nonfiction writing from Oregon State University and was named a 2026 Literary Arts Oregon Literary Fellow to support his in-progress essay collection about skateboarding, disability, and public space.

António Lobo Antunes, who has been called “one of Portugal’s preeminent writers” by The New York Times, was born in Lisbon in 1942. The son of a physician, he too became a doctor and then spent four years in the Portuguese army during the Angolan War. His book on that war, South of Nowhere, was internationally praised and followed by other widely translated and much-honored novels, including Act of the Damned, Explanation of the Birds, and The Natural Order of Things. He passed away in March 2026.

Jen Mendez is a German to English translator with a focus on literary translation. Originally from Seattle, they now reside in the Portland area, where they graduated with a BA in German Language and Literature from Portland State University. At the beginning of 2026, Jen stepped into the position of Vice President of the Northwest Translators and Interpreters Society (NOTIS), a regional chapter of the American Translators Association, and they frequently commute to Seattle to attend events with the organization’s NW Literary Translation Division. Jen is currently hard at work on a secret translation project that is set to be released in 2027.

Hans Peter Richter is an award-winning German author and academic from Cologne. Having come of age during WWII, Richter served as a lieutenant between 1942 and 1945, where his experiences inspired the trilogy of semi-autobiographical young adult novels for which he is best known: Friedrich, I Was There, and The Time of the Young Soldiers. The book Friedrich was awarded the prize for best young adult novel from the Sebaldus-Verlag in 1961. More than just an author, Richter studied psychology and sociology after his time in the war, and from 1973 on, he taught scientific methodology and sociology at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.

Medical Interpreter Support Group (hosted by Providence LCSW) (May 20, 2026)

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:30:00 GMT

This interpreter support group is a safe space for medical interpreters to share their experiences.

Every Third Wednesday of the month, 5:30-6:30pm. RSVP for Zoom link. Registration is free.

We recognize the unique challenges you face in delivering crucial medical information and interpreting complex, emotionally challenging discussions. We hope to create a supportive community for you all in this challenging and rewarding profession.

This group is facilitated by Jamie Newell, LCSW, palliative care social worker at Providence with years of experience working with interpreters.

Sponsored by Providence, open to all interpreters.

Not an OSTI-sponsored event.

OSTI Board Meeting (June 08, 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 02:30:00 GMT

Greetings, OSTI members,

The OSTI board is moving its meetings to every 2nd Monday of the month at 7:30 PM. The next meeting will be held on April 13, 2026 at 7:30PM.

OSTI Members are welcome to attend.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link.

To request more info, please contact us.

Medical Interpreter Support Group (hosted by Providence LCSW) (June 17, 2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:30:00 GMT

This interpreter support group is a safe space for medical interpreters to share their experiences.

Every Third Wednesday of the month, 5:30-6:30pm. RSVP for Zoom link. Registration is free.

This group is facilitated by Jamie Newell, LCSW, palliative care social worker at Providence with years of experience working with interpreters.

Sponsored by Providence, open to all interpreters.

Not an OSTI-sponsored event.

Presentation: Working With Speakers of Mayan Languages: the Seeds of Mayan Language and Culture/Las Semillas de mi Lengua: Cultura y Lengua Maya/U Neek'il in t'aan (June 27, 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Metafóricamente el maaya t’aan es una semilla y como tal, en su interior encapsula la forma de vida de los mayas, la identidad cultural, el pensamiento y una forma distinta de mirar al mundo. Una semilla que anhela ser plantada, que ansía germinar, crecer, dar frutos y producir nuevas plantas; sobre todo desea preservar la encomienda que los yuumtsiles le otorgaron: “Que su sonido retumbe por los cuatro puntos cardinales de su nación”.

Metaphorically speaking, maaya t'aan (the Mayan language) is a seed and as such, it encapsulates the Mayan way of life, Maya cultural identity, and thought. It represents different ways of seeing the world. It is a seed that longs to be planted, that wants to germinate, grow, bear fruit, and produce new plants. Above all, the seeds of Mayan language and culture wish to preserve the commendation with the ancestors and to offer a bridge between ancient traditions and the present. This presentation will introduce translators and interpreters to many unique aspects of Mayan language and culture to facilitate communication with clients of Mayan background. It will build mutual understanding between interpreters working with those of Mayan heritage and their clients. May the Mayan language and culture resound through the four cardinal points of the world.

About the presenter

Originally from Peto (Yucatán, México), Lizbeth Carrillo Can is a native Mayan speaker, a Spanish-Mayan/Mayan-Spanish translator, a promoter of the Mayan language, and a Mayan language teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Social Sciences. From 2002 to the present, she has taught courses to promote the acquisition of the Mayan language at various levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced, as well as teaching Mayan literacy and grammar in collaboration with the Institutions: Directorate of Indigenous Education; Itzamná Municipal Academy of Mayan Language, at the institution's COEEST, CECIDHY's sites. She teaches "Spoken Yucatec Mayan" at the Yucatec Mayan Institute and at the UADY's (Autonomous University of the Yucatán) Language Institute Center. She has also been involved in several publication, translation and transcription projects, including: developing literary materials for Mayan-speaking communities published by El Instituto Nacional de Educación para Adultos (2004); voicing one of the characters in the audiobook "Kan maaya yéetel mejen tsikbalo'ob'' published by CEPHCIS, UNAM, Mérida (2009); creating a transcription and translation for the piece "Hispanic Linguistic Symposium" of Blooming, Indiana, E.E.U.U.; editing the book Elementos Esenciales del idioma Maya, published by the Ayuntamiento de Mérida (2015); translating of essays included in the 6th volume of the 2nd edition of the Yucatan Encyclopedia by the State of Yucatán’s Government (2018), publishing the text “U ch'a tuukulil u yúuchil ts'íib yéetel xook ich maayáaj t'aan”/ “Reflections on reading and writing in the Mayan language” (2019), and translating, into Spanish, the Mayan sections of the the Spanish-English-Mayan trilingual book Mar, Arena y Música:, Three Family Tales, written by Carlos Martínez Bolio (2020).

About the host

Allison deFreese is president of the Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters and has been collaborating on translations with writers from the Yucatan including Janil Uc Tun, Karla Marrufo, Nidia Cuan, and David Anuar. Becuase leanring is a lifelong process and every language is important, even those of lesser diffusion, Allison has been studying Yucatec Maya since 2021.

*Note: This workshop will be presented in Spanish

OSTI Board Meeting (July 13, 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:30:00 GMT

Greetings, OSTI members,

The OSTI board is moving its meetings to every 2nd Monday of the month at 7:30 PM. The next meeting will be held on April 13, 2026 at 7:30PM.

OSTI Members are welcome to attend.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link.

To request more info, please contact us.

Medical Interpreter Support Group (hosted by Providence LCSW) (July 15, 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:30:00 GMT

This interpreter support group is a safe space for medical interpreters to share their experiences.

Every Third Wednesday of the month, 5:30-6:30pm. RSVP for Zoom link. Registration is free.

This group is facilitated by Jamie Newell, LCSW, palliative care social worker at Providence with years of experience working with interpreters.

Sponsored by Providence, open to all interpreters.

Not an OSTI-sponsored event.

A Day at the Coast with OSTI (July 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

A Day on the Coast July 25, 2026

Join us for a day of exploring the best of Tillamook! Whether you can make one stop or all four, simply follow the schedule below and jump in wherever works for you. We'd love to see you at any point throughout the day!

Tillamook Farmers Market 10 Laurel Avenue, Tillamook, OR 97141 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Start the day at the Tillamook Farmers Market! Browse local vendors, fresh produce, and handcrafted goods in the heart of downtown

http://www.tillamookfarmersmarket.com

Tillamook Creamery 4165 N Hwy 101, Tillamook, OR 97141 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

We're kicking off the day at one of Oregon's most beloved landmarks! Enjoy a free, self-guided tour at your own pace and explore:

The Viewing Gallery — Watch award-winning cheddar being made right before your eyes
The Farm Exhibit Hall — Learn about the multigenerational farmer-owners and how their cows are lovingly cared for
The Sample Counter — Try a variety of cheeses (they're always switching it up!)

Entry is free to the public. No reservations needed. tillamook.com/visit-us/creamery

Las Margaritas Restaurant 1160 N Hwy 101, Tillamook, OR 97141 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Join your colleagues for lunch at Las Margaritas, a locally owned family Mexican restaurant. Known for its homemade dishes, vibrant atmosphere, and classic margaritas, the menu features favorites like burritos, enchiladas, and tamales, along with vegan options. Fresh ingredients, friendly service, and a welcoming feel make this a Tillamook favorite. Outdoor seating is available.

Cape Meares Lighthouse 3500 Cape Meares Loop, Tillamook, OR 97141 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM

End the day with breathtaking coastal views at the Cape Meares Lighthouse! Built in 1889 and first lit on January 1, 1890, it's the shortest lighthouse on the Oregon coast at just 38 feet tall — but it packs a punch with its impressive first-order Fresnel lens, visible up to 21 nautical miles at sea. Located within Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, highlights include:

Stunning ocean panoramas
Old-growth forest trails
The legendary "Octopus Tree" — a uniquely shaped Sitka spruce
A 0.2-mile paved path from the parking area to the lighthouse

Note: A day-use parking permit is required and can be purchased on-site. stateparks.oregon.gov — Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint

OSTI Board Meeting (August 10, 2026)

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 02:30:00 GMT

Greetings, OSTI members,

The OSTI board is moving its meetings to every 2nd Monday of the month at 7:30 PM. The next meeting will be held on April 13, 2026 at 7:30PM.

OSTI Members are welcome to attend.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link.

To request more info, please contact us.

Medical Interpreter Support Group (hosted by Providence LCSW) (August 19, 2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:30:00 GMT

This interpreter support group is a safe space for medical interpreters to share their experiences.

Every Third Wednesday of the month, 5:30-6:30pm. RSVP for Zoom link. Registration is free.

This group is facilitated by Jamie Newell, LCSW, palliative care social worker at Providence with years of experience working with interpreters.

Sponsored by Providence, open to all interpreters.

Not an OSTI-sponsored event.

OSTI Board Meeting (September 14, 2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 02:30:00 GMT

Greetings, OSTI members,

The OSTI board is moving its meetings to every 2nd Monday of the month at 7:30 PM. The next meeting will be held on April 13, 2026 at 7:30PM.

OSTI Members are welcome to attend.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link.

To request more info, please contact us.

Medical Interpreter Support Group (hosted by Providence LCSW) (September 16, 2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:30:00 GMT

This interpreter support group is a safe space for medical interpreters to share their experiences.

Every Third Wednesday of the month, 5:30-6:30pm. RSVP for Zoom link. Registration is free.

This group is facilitated by Jamie Newell, LCSW, palliative care social worker at Providence with years of experience working with interpreters.

Sponsored by Providence, open to all interpreters.

Not an OSTI-sponsored event.

OSTI Board Meeting (October 12, 2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 02:30:00 GMT

Greetings, OSTI members,

The OSTI board is moving its meetings to every 2nd Monday of the month at 7:30 PM. The next meeting will be held on April 13, 2026 at 7:30PM.

OSTI Members are welcome to attend.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link.

To request more info, please contact us.

Medical Interpreter Support Group (hosted by Providence LCSW) (October 21, 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:30:00 GMT

This interpreter support group is a safe space for medical interpreters to share their experiences.

Every Third Wednesday of the month, 5:30-6:30pm. RSVP for Zoom link. Registration is free.

This group is facilitated by Jamie Newell, LCSW, palliative care social worker at Providence with years of experience working with interpreters.

Sponsored by Providence, open to all interpreters.

Not an OSTI-sponsored event.

OSTI Board Meeting (November 09, 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 03:30:00 GMT

Greetings, OSTI members,

The OSTI board is moving its meetings to every 2nd Monday of the month at 7:30 PM. The next meeting will be held on April 13, 2026 at 7:30PM.

OSTI Members are welcome to attend.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link.

To request more info, please contact us.

Medical Interpreter Support Group (hosted by Providence LCSW) (November 18, 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 01:30:00 GMT

This interpreter support group is a safe space for medical interpreters to share their experiences.

Every Third Wednesday of the month, 5:30-6:30pm. RSVP for Zoom link. Registration is free.

This group is facilitated by Jamie Newell, LCSW, palliative care social worker at Providence with years of experience working with interpreters.

Sponsored by Providence, open to all interpreters.

Not an OSTI-sponsored event.

Medical Interpreter Support Group (hosted by Providence LCSW) (December 16, 2026)

Thu, 17 Dec 2026 01:30:00 GMT

This interpreter support group is a safe space for medical interpreters to share their experiences.

Every Third Wednesday of the month, 5:30-6:30pm. RSVP for Zoom link. Registration is free.

This group is facilitated by Jamie Newell, LCSW, palliative care social worker at Providence with years of experience working with interpreters.

Sponsored by Providence, open to all interpreters.

Not an OSTI-sponsored event.