Swedish Association of Professional Translators (SF?)
http://www.sfoe.se/

Established in 1990, the Swedish Association of Professional Translators (SF?) has grown to be Sweden's largest organization for translators. SF? now counts approx 600 individuals and some 20 of Sweden's leading translation companies among its members.

SF? promotes sound translation practices, along with more frequent exchanges of experience and knowledge, among professional translators. We look after the common financial and legal interests of translators, while providing information about and actively shaping the evolution of the translation profession. By offering a forum for translators and their clients, SF? hopes to further elevate the status of translators, as well as that of translation as a vocation and commercial activity. Furthermore, we seek to improve communication between translation companies and individual translators in order to raise the level of knowledge, mutual understanding and reciprocal respect in the industry. SF? is firmly convinced that translation is key to a nation's economy, that it is essential to the exchange of technical and business information, and that it is a basic prerequisite for international trade, cooperation and harmony.

A changing industry. The world is shrinking and becoming increasingly interdependent, while global communication is growing by leaps and bounds. More than ever before, it is vital that we not misunderstand each other. When it comes to the translation industry, computer skills are now indispensable and the use of special software tools more and more common. The need for competent translators continues to swell. SF? is dedicated to helping its members remain up-to-date and develop new skills.

Target areas.
  Mentor program, allowing experienced translators to assist beginners with advice, support and pointers
  Local groups, where translators in a particular region can gather for seminars, field trips, social get-togethers, and exchanges of experience
  Language groups, where those who translate into a particular language can gather for seminars, field trips, social get-togethers, exchanges of experience, and classes
  A technology/user group that stays abreast of developments in the area of translation software tools and technology
  Task forces, whose members help shape SF?'s work in particular and the direction of the translation industry in general
  Entrepreneur group, devoted to the responsibilities of a translator as employer and businessperson

Activities, events, benefits
  A well-attended annual two-day conference focusing on a theme of current interest
  Sweden's largest and most detailed catalog of translators, an indexed, search-friendly version of which is available on this web site
  Continual updates to this web site that keep our members, as well as prospective purchasers of translation services, informed about SF? developments, the translation industry, special events, discussion groups and other relevant news
  The magazine Fack?vers?ttaren, published every other month
  Seminars, workshops and advanced training in language, software tools/technology and how to run a business
  Ongoing quality assurance work for the benefit of our members
  Preferential agreement on legal consultation with Eurolawyers law firm
  Special policy for professional translators at highly favorable rates with Trygg-Hansa Insurance Co.

Periodical
SF? publishes Fack?vers?ttaren, its member magazine, on a bimonthly basis. No other publication is circulated as widely among Sweden's translators. A typical issue includes:
  Information about technological developments and translation software tools
  Help wanted section and other ads of interest to translators
  Articles by translators and others who wish to share their experience and propose solutions in the areas of translation, running a business and software tools
  News about the activities of SF?'s various language groups
  Reports from international translation organizations
  Job opportunities abroad
  Calendar of global events and happenings of concern to translators
  Bulletins from SF?'s board of directors and task forces