The National Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ethiopia, NATIE, is based in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The association was founded with the aim to promote the science and practice of the translatiion profession across the country.

NATIE has a growing membership of professionals with specializations, backgrounds and inclinations in a range of translation areas including medical, legal, finance, technical, scientific and literary fields.

Being a country with a population of 75 million, and inhabited by about 80 ethno-linguistic groups, speaking as many as 200 tongues and dialects, the association believes that Ethiopia has a lot to exchange with the outside world through the medium of translation.

In addition to its rich ethno-linguistic diversity, Ethiopia is also home to seven important cultural and natural heritage sites, registered by UNESCO as world class wonders, and therefore enjoy the organizations protection. Similarly registered and being protected by UNESCO are other 13 literary heritages documented on parchments in ancient days and transmitted to this day through generations mostly under the custody of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the National Museum of Ethiopia.

Such characteristics have aroused an increasing interest in the country among foreign travelers causing international tourism to flourish in Ethiopia over the years. These developments have given rise to a noticeable demand for translation service in foreign languages particularly among tourists who are interested to know more about different aspects of life in Ethiopia including its history, culture and religion. On the other hand, as Ethiopian communities continue to multiply especially in parts of Western Europe, North America, and the Middle East a similar need is apparently on the rise for translation service mainly in local Ethiopian languages.

Not to be underestimated as well is the desire of the general readership in Ethiopia for a wide a range of international literature, modern and classical, fiction and non fiction translated in one or another of the different written indigenous tongues. By the same token, it is understood that a huge amount of potential interest exists worldwide in a variety of Ethiopian Literature translated into English and other global languages.

Regardless of the existing demands for translation services from and into Ethiopian languages (Amharic, Tigrinya and Oromo in particular), enough hasn't so far been done locally to meet these needs.

The national association of translators and interpreters of Ethiopia, NATIE, is committed to contributing its part to the development and standardization of the local translation practice. It aims to achieve this objective of high significance to service seekers at home and abroad in close collaboration with translation companies, publishers, language resource centers and like institutions and organizations.

Currently, NATIE brings together translators who are able to handle a range of indigenous tongues (Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya, Guraginya, Afar, Somali, Wolaita etc) as well as practicing in several international languages.

Hence, the association is both interested and ready to collaborate in joint translation ventures including the production of local language teaching aids and dictionaries, with all those who may desire such cooperation.

We may be contacted at the following addresses:

Yissakor Beyene
Chair - NATIE
Tel 00251-111-220760 off
00251-911-404865 Mob.
P.O.Box 15412
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia