About Us
TAPIT Tennessee Association of Professional Interpreters and Translators
Tennessee’s Language Bridge
We celebrate that TAPIT incorporated as a non-profit organization in August 2004… we are celebrating our twentieth anniversary!!
TAPIT is a professional organization of interpreters and translators specializing in spoken, written, and signed languages. Our members are experts in a variety of fields, including court, medical, and community interpreting, as well as document translation.
By bridging language gaps and breaking down communication barriers, TAPIT ensures effective interaction between individuals with and without English proficiency across both
About Tapit
Our mission is to elevate the professional image of translators and interpreters by educating the public and language service users while emphasizing the importance of certification and language proficiency. TAPIT unites court, medical, community, and sign language interpreters and translators in Tennessee, fostering collaboration and addressing common interests to build a strong statewide presence that:
- Advocates for and promotes the interests of interpreters and translators in Tennessee.
- Upholds the highest ethical and professional standards in the fields of interpreting and translation.
- Provides a platform for discussion of language access and professional issues affecting interpreters, translators, courts, legal and healthcare services, educational institutions, and business and individuals contracting for language services.
- Communicates the latest industry news.
- Organizes and delivers training courses and workshops for interpreter and translator professional development.
- Serves as an advisory resource for interpreters, translators, courts, legal professionals, law enforcement, healthcare providers, businesses, and educational institutions on matters related to the interpreting and translation professions.
Our Board
TAPIT’s Board of Directors is elected by TAPIT active members in good standing, according to our bylaws. Our next Election will be in November 2024.
President (Elected 2023) Coral Getino, Ph.D, CCI, CHI-Spanish
A native of Spain, Coral has lived in Knoxville (East Tennessee) since 1990. She holds a PhD in Chemistry and was a scientist at ORNL and Spanish lecturer at the University of Tennessee before working in translation and interpreting full time. She is a Spanish certified interpreter by the TN Supreme Court and CCHI, and has been a Spanish editor and translator for almost 20 years, working on educational reading materials. She is the owner of a small agency (Spanish Language Solutions, Inc.) which provides various language services in medical, legal, business, and educational settings. She served in the TAPIT Board as a Member-at-Large in 2007 and in 2023.
Interim President Elect (Appointed 2023) David L. Trinkle, CCI
David was born and raised in Virginia, where he studied French and became an American Sign Language interpreter. He moved to the Knoxville, TN, area in 1998 to further his undergraduate studies. He studied in Peru, being exposed to Spanish as well as sign language in multiple South American countries. Upon returning to Knoxville he continued to self-immerse in the Spanish-speaking community, which led to interpreting opportunities in the community, religious, medical, and judiciary venues. In 2007 David became a TN certified judiciary interpreter and has served in courts in numerous TN counties. In 2010 he moved to Middle TN, where he also enjoys assisting his wife and 4 children with their equine business, their specialty being taming and preparing wild mustangs for adoption and happy homes or careers.
Secretary (Elected 2023) John Mark Maust, RCI
Born to North American parents in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, John Mark lived in four countries in his childhood (Honduras, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the United States). Bi-lingual and trans-cultural, he served as a volunteer interpreter from a young age. He studied a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Master of Arts in Romance Languages from the University of New Orleans. John Mark is a registered court interpreter, and is currently studying a Master's Degree in Professional English-Spanish Translation, while also working in Tennessee courts and hospitals, teaching college level courses, and pursuing his hobby of nature photography.
Treasurer (Appointed 2024) Matthew Benton, CCI
Matt was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN and attended Vanderbilt University. He lived in Chile for seven years, where he worked as an English teacher. Upon returning to the United States, Matt became a Spanish court interpreter, and over the last seven years, he has had the privilege of working in courts all across the state of Tennessee as well as immigration courts. Matt enjoys travel, reading, and listening to music. In the past, Matt served several terms as TAPIT’s Secretary from 2019.
ADVISORY BOARD
TAPIT is very lucky to have a group of advisors who were appointed to furnish insight and guidance to the board, having each contributed greatly to our organization and the profession. Our current Advisory Board includes three founding members (Marvyn Tipps, Judith Kenigson Kristy, and Nick Perez.)
Marvyn Tipps, Ph.D, President Emeritus
Judith Kenigson Kristy, Life Member
Hope Collins, Past President
Nick Perez, Past Treasurer
Dennis Caffrey, Past Treasurer