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About this shop
This is simply a suggested amount - all contributions, large or small, help us meet our goal!
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be made, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page.
For those who don't need a single thing ... but the knowledge that they are supporting excellent training in the field of interpreting!
This is simply a suggested amount - all contributions, large or small, help us meet our goal!
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be made, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page.
Instructor: Laura Holcomb
Workshop: Sound Simplified: A practical guide to preventing and solving online sound issues
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Time: 8am PST / 10am Guatemala / 11am EST / 5pm CEST
Format: Online
Location: Zoom
Recorded: Yes
Cost: $110
Description:
Many years ago, when I was a student of healthcare interpreting, I remember being told, “you can’t interpret what you don’t hear.” That is, when it comes to interpreting, hearing what’s said is the base of the pyramid. Step one. A precondition. A sine qua non.
Yet here we are, years later, now using online platforms to try and perform a very complex activity (interpreting from one language to another in real time), and facing the same essential conundrum: we can’t hear what’s being said. Or can we? Sometimes we can and sometimes we can’t? Like, we hear most of it and fill in the blanks, or stop interpreting, or don’t know what to do, or realize it too late.
In this 2-hr workshop we will strategize and troubleshoot around all things online sound. My aim is for you to become an authority on YOUR online sound experience and leave you feeling like you have some agency. Together we will:
Most of the work we will do together will be grounded in the private market, when working with direct clients via Zoom. However, I believe that much of what we discuss, if cleverly adapted, can still be useful in institutional settings, for agency clients, or when working via other interpreting-enabled online platforms.
About Your Instructor:
After earning her Master in Conference Interpreting from Glendon College in 2015, Laura returned as adjunct professor of the MCI’s healthcare interpreting practicum while also training for the interpret 2B program in Brazil. Laura went on to co-found Seven Sisters, designing and leading conference, healthcare and tech-focused workshops for interpreters and trainers. Since 2016, she and Lauren Michaels have run co>lab, an annual, week-long conference interpreting practice intensive held in Toronto and Mexico City. Laura is also an AIIC trainer and regularly teaches professional development courses for interpreters on a range of topics.
Alongside her training activities, Laura is a practitioner and business owner, directing String & Can Multilingual, where she partners with organizations to support meaningful multilingual communication via interpreting, translation, subtitling and event production services that focus on great tech, creativity, inclusivity, aesthetics, and care. Although originally from the US South, Laura has spent much of her adult life in the broader Americas and currently resides in Guatemala.
Instructor: Helen Campbell
Dates: April 24, 25, 26, 2026
Time: 10 to 1, 2:30 to ~5:30 p.m., all three days
Workshop/Webinar: Intensive Consecutive Note-Taking Refresher
Format: Online
Location: Zoom
Cost: Online Observer-Only Pricing: C$189 (or ~US$137)
Description:
You are invited to be a fly on the wall, online, during Helen Campbell's intensive:
This three-day workshop targets professional conference interpreters who feel their note-taking skills are getting rusty and would like to go “back to basics” to build up a progression over the three days. Helen Campbell, an experienced conference interpreter and interpreter trainer, as well as an engaging public speaker, will explain her note-taking strategies to help make you feel more at ease with your next consecutive assignment.
[Note: This is an online observer-only ticket. Due to the particular Zoom set-up, observers will not be able to ask questions during the intensive. In-person tickets are also available for this event!]
About your instructor:
Helen Campbell was a staff member of the Directorate-General for Interpretation of the European Commission (DG SCIC) in Brussels from 1973 until 2011. A highly qualified and experienced interpreter trainer, she has aptitude-tested, taught, and acted as examiner for university exams as well as jury member and speaker for EU accreditation tests and open competitions. She is a trainer for the MCI at Glendon College, York University Toronto, and regularly gives courses for AIIC.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
Instructor: Helen Campbell
Dates: April 24, 25, 26 2026
Time: 10 to 1, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., all three days (lunch will be provided)
Workshop/Webinar: Intensive Consecutive Note-Taking Refresher
Format: In-Person
Location: MCI Interpreting Lab, Glendon College, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
Cost: C$575 (or ~US$415)
Description:
Helen Campbell will lead an in-person, interactive workshop for professional interpreters who want to consolidate their note-taking skills for consecutive interpreting. This three-day workshop targets professional conference interpreters who feel their note-taking skills are getting rusty and would like to go “back to basics” to build up a progression over the three days (for dates and times, see above). Helen Campbell, an experienced conference interpreter and interpreter trainer, as well as an engaging public speaker, will explain her note-taking strategies to help make you feel more at ease with your next consecutive assignment.
This workshop will be held in English. Depending on language profiles of participants, other languages may be used, in which case some speech preparation by participants would be needed.
[Note: Spaces are limited! Online observer-only tickets are also available for this event.]
About your instructor:
Helen Campbell was a staff member of the Directorate-General for Interpretation of the European Commission (DG SCIC) in Brussels from 1973 until 2011. A highly qualified and experienced interpreter trainer, she has aptitude-tested, taught, and acted as examiner for university exams as well as jury member and speaker for EU accreditation tests and open competitions. She is a trainer for the MCI at Glendon College, York University Toronto, and regularly gives courses for AIIC.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
Instructor: Brian Bickford
Workshop/Webinar: Things they don't teach you in school: How to monetize your language services
Format: Online
Location: Zoom
Recorded: Yes
Cost: SALE price C$55
This is a RECORDING of the workshop!
Description:
Here's what they don't teach you in school.
This practical session focuses on how interpreters and language service providers can earn fair, sustainable income without burning out. We cover how to market your skills clearly, price your work properly, and communicate your value to clients. The session also looks at the role of professional associations—why they matter, how they support credibility, and how to use them as part of your marketing. We will also compare work as an employee vs. as a freelancer vs. as an agency. Throughout, we keep work-life balance front and centre, with concrete strategies to manage workload, set boundaries, and build a career that’s financially viable and human-scale.
About your instructor(s):
Growing up with my time split between North and South America, learning new languages was a necessity.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in French & Spanish from the University of Western Ontario, and working as a freelancer, in 2005, I founded Pendleton Translations, now PTL Global, which grew to become an ISO-certified, award-winning company.
Just a few accolades:
Entrepreneur of the Year (2008) by the Mississauga Board of Trade
Top 40 Under 40 (2012) by Business Link Media Group (Hamilton/Halton Region)
Small Business of the Year (2017) by the Milton Chamber of Commerce
The experience and wealth of knowledge I gained in my first business inspired the creation of UN Language Services in 2019 with one simple goal: help others bridge any language gap.
After 25 years as a translator and 23 years as a conference interpreter, I continue to lead UNLS with a commitment to quality, client satisfaction, and language accessibility. I remain actively involved in client projects and value building long-term relationships. I greatly enjoy providing translation and interpretation services to my clients as a member of my continuously growing team
Additional donation:
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be added, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page or to any other item at check-out.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
Instructor: Corinne McKay
Workshop/Webinar: The business side of interpreting: How to build a successful freelance career.
Cost: SALE C$55
Access the recording and slides of this past event!
Description:
The business side of interpreting: How to build a successful freelance career.
In this session, we'll discuss practical strategies for launching and running a successful freelance interpreting business, including marketing to agencies, marketing to direct clients, pursuing certification, and deciding how much to charge.
Based on the presenter’s experience starting a freelance business from scratch – twice! – she will talk about the differences between being a "price taker" and a "price maker," how to balance lucrative work with meaningful work, and how to effectively market your services to higher paying clients.
About your instructor(s):
Corinne McKay, a 2021 graduate of the Glendon MCI (English A/French B) has been a full-time freelancer since 2002. She is certified by the American Translators Association for French to English translation, and by the U.S. state of Colorado for French court interpreting. In addition to her own interpreting and translation work, Corinne writes books and teaches classes for other freelance language professionals, including How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator (a career guide with over 15,000 copies in print) and the newly published Getting Started as a Freelance Interpreter. She served on the Board of the American Translators Association for seven years, including as ATA President from 2017-2019.
Additional donation:
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be added, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page or to any other item at check-out.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
Instructors: Sian (Xiang) Gu and Andrew Clifford
Workshop/Webinar: Lost in Idioms: Navigating Top English Pitfalls for Mandarin Interpreters
Format: Online
Location: Zoom
Recorded: Yes
Cost: SALE Price $55 - Recording
Description:
Lost in Idioms: Navigating Top English Pitfalls for Mandarin Interpreters
Mandarin and English are worlds apart, so how do we interpret effectively between the two? Drawing on 12 years of experience training Mandarin interpreters at the Glendon Master of Conference Interpreting Program, the speakers will share their observations on the most common English mistakes.
You will need a reliable wired internet connection, a headset and microphone.
About your instructor(s):
Sian (Xiang) Gu is a conference interpreter and interpreter trainer based in Vancouver, Canada. She loves splitting her time between interpreting, teaching, practicing, and organizing meetings. After graduating with a master's degree in conference interpreting from Glendon, York University, she joined the instructor roster under the mentorship of Andrew Clifford. She is passionate about helping Mandarin students improve their English performance while staying true to the spirit of the source language. She is accredited as an interpreter (English, French, and Mandarin) by the government of Canada and a member of AIIC.
Dr. Andrew Clifford is a former staff interpreter with the Government of Canada and remains active as a freelance interpreter. He holds a doctorate in Translation Studies and a Master of Conference Interpreting, both from the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on interpreting in all its forms, including the ethics of medical interpreting and how to assess and train interpreters. In 2012, he launched the Master of Conference Interpreting at Glendon. He is also an accredited life coach. His passion is helping others find their way in the demanding yet rewarding world of professional interpreting.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
Additional donation:
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be added, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page or to any other item at check-out.
Instructor: Rony Gao
Workshop/Webinar: C-A-R-E: Four contextual factors in conference interpreting.
Cost: Sale price $55 - Recording
Description:
C-A-R-E: Four contextual factors in conference interpreting.
Step into a conference interpreter's mind. With first-hand examples and case studies from interpreting assignments in business, technology and diplomatic settings, the speaker will examine four hidden forces that impact communication: cultural norms, audience profile, relationship, and expectations. This C-A-R-E framework entails contextual analysis, real time decisions and mission message delivery in a human centric way.
Although most examples will come from English to Chinese interpreting, explanations will be provided so that the same principles are transferable to all language pairs. (Re)discover the art of conference interpreting with humans at its core. Step one? CARE more.
About your instructor(s):
Rony Gao is a prize-winning Chinese/English conference interpreter, certified translator and trainer based in Toronto, Canada. As a member of the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) and Chinese/English conference interpreter accredited by the Canadian Federal Government, Rony Gao has provided interpretation for the Chinese Premier’s Delegation to Canada, several Canadian Prime Ministers, UN specialized agencies, the Tokyo Olympic Games, and many other leaders in government, business, technology and academia. He currently shares his expertise as an instructor at the Glendon Master of Conference Interpreting program at York University in Canada.
Additional donation:
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be added, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page or to any other item at check-out.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
For those who don't need a single thing ... but the knowledge that they are supporting excellent training in the field of interpreting!
This is simply a suggested amount - all contributions, large or small, help us meet our goal!
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be made, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page.
Instructor: Brian Bickford
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m. EST
Workshop/Webinar: Things they don't teach you in school: How to monetize your language services
Format: Online
Location: Zoom
Recorded: Yes
Cost: Pricing C$90 (or ~US$65)
Includes a link to the recording!
Description:
Here's what they don't teach you in school.
This practical session focuses on how interpreters and language service providers can earn fair, sustainable income without burning out. We cover how to market your skills clearly, price your work properly, and communicate your value to clients. The session also looks at the role of professional associations—why they matter, how they support credibility, and how to use them as part of your marketing. We will also compare work as an employee vs. as a freelancer vs. as an agency. Throughout, we keep work-life balance front and centre, with concrete strategies to manage workload, set boundaries, and build a career that’s financially viable and human-scale.
About your instructor(s):
Growing up with my time split between North and South America, learning new languages was a necessity.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in French & Spanish from the University of Western Ontario, and working as a freelancer, in 2005, I founded Pendleton Translations, now PTL Global, which grew to become an ISO-certified, award-winning company.
Just a few accolades:
Entrepreneur of the Year (2008) by the Mississauga Board of Trade
Top 40 Under 40 (2012) by Business Link Media Group (Hamilton/Halton Region)
Small Business of the Year (2017) by the Milton Chamber of Commerce
The experience and wealth of knowledge I gained in my first business inspired the creation of UN Language Services in 2019 with one simple goal: help others bridge any language gap.
After 25 years as a translator and 23 years as a conference interpreter, I continue to lead UNLS with a commitment to quality, client satisfaction, and language accessibility. I remain actively involved in client projects and value building long-term relationships. I greatly enjoy providing translation and interpretation services to my clients as a member of my continuously growing team
Additional donation:
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be added, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page or to any other item at check-out.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
Instructors: Sian (Xiang) Gu and Andrew Clifford
Date: Jan. 17, 2026 - Note revised date.
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 EST / 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. PST / 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 CST
Workshop/Webinar: Lost in Idioms: Navigating Top English Pitfalls for Mandarin Interpreters
Format: Online
Location: Zoom
Recorded: Yes
Cost: Online Pricing C$110 (or ~US$80)
Description:
Lost in Idioms: Navigating Top English Pitfalls for Mandarin Interpreters
Mandarin and English are worlds apart, so how do we interpret effectively between the two? Drawing on 12 years of experience training Mandarin interpreters at the Glendon Master of Conference Interpreting Program, the speakers will share their observations on the most common English mistakes.
You will need a reliable wired internet connection, a headset and microphone.
About your instructor(s):
Sian (Xiang) Gu is a conference interpreter and interpreter trainer based in Vancouver, Canada. She loves splitting her time between interpreting, teaching, practicing, and organizing meetings. After graduating with a master's degree in conference interpreting from Glendon, York University, she joined the instructor roster under the mentorship of Andrew Clifford. She is passionate about helping Mandarin students improve their English performance while staying true to the spirit of the source language. She is accredited as an interpreter (English, French, and Mandarin) by the government of Canada and a member of AIIC.
Dr. Andrew Clifford is a former staff interpreter with the Government of Canada and remains active as a freelance interpreter. He holds a doctorate in Translation Studies and a Master of Conference Interpreting, both from the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on interpreting in all its forms, including the ethics of medical interpreting and how to assess and train interpreters. In 2012, he launched the Master of Conference Interpreting at Glendon. He is also an accredited life coach. His passion is helping others find their way in the demanding yet rewarding world of professional interpreting.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
Additional donation:
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be added, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page or to any other item at check-out.
Instructor: Corinne McKay
Date: December 13, 2025
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m. EST
Workshop/Webinar: The business side of interpreting: How to build a successful freelance career.
Format: Online
Location: Zoom
Recorded: No
Cost: Online Pricing C$110 (or ~US$80)
Includes a link to the recording!
Description:
The business side of interpreting: How to build a successful freelance career.
In this session, we'll discuss practical strategies for launching and running a successful freelance interpreting business, including marketing to agencies, marketing to direct clients, pursuing certification, and deciding how much to charge.
Based on the presenter’s experience starting a freelance business from scratch – twice! – she will talk about the differences between being a "price taker" and a "price maker," how to balance lucrative work with meaningful work, and how to effectively market your services to higher paying clients.
About your instructor(s):
Corinne McKay, a 2021 graduate of the Glendon MCI (English A/French B) has been a full-time freelancer since 2002. She is certified by the American Translators Association for French to English translation, and by the U.S. state of Colorado for French court interpreting. In addition to her own interpreting and translation work, Corinne writes books and teaches classes for other freelance language professionals, including How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator (a career guide with over 15,000 copies in print) and the newly published Getting Started as a Freelance Interpreter. She served on the Board of the American Translators Association for seven years, including as ATA President from 2017-2019.
Additional donation:
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be added, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page or to any other item at check-out.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
Instructor: Qjinti I. Barrios van der Valk
Date: November 22, 2025
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m. EST
Workshop/Webinar: A Novel Look at Consecutive Notetaking
Format: Hybrid
Location: Zoom
Recorded: No
Cost: Online Pricing C$110 (or ~US$80)
Description:
A Novel Look at Consecutive Notetaking
Beginners try to pack their notes with words. Teachers tell us to write down ideas. Either way, we're afraid we won't remember it all.
But what if we learn to see the story we're about to tell? Then note taking becomes a matter of drawing what's in our mind's eye, and interpreting is about painting a picture for our clients.
In this workshop, the presenter will begin by outlining the principles of visual note taking. From there, she will walk participants through real-world speeches they might encounter in the profession.
Participants will have an opportunity to share their notes, and to get feedback on their work.
[Note: This is an online ticket; in-person tickets are also available for this event.]
About your instructor(s):
Before she became an interpreter, Qjinti Barrios van der Valk explored many worlds: she studied political science in Paris; worked for UNESCO in La Paz, Bolivia; managed a community centre in the French banlieue; and even had a brief stint in street theater! Over time, she was drawn to interpreting, graduating in 2008 from the conference interpreter training program at the Université de Genève. She then began her career as a free-lance conference interpreter in Paris and at the EU. She also taught at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest, in Angers, and at the Université de Strasbourg, and she undertook undergraduate and graduate studies in Linguistics and Quechua at the INALCO in Paris. Her working languages are French, Spanish, English and Italian. She left it all behind in 2014 to join the Glendon MCI team and to become a Torontonian. She hasn’t looked back since.
Additional donation:
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be added, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page or to any other item at check-out.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
Instructor: Qjinti I. Barrios van der Valk
Date: November 22, 2025
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m. EST
Workshop/Webinar: A Novel Look at Consecutive Notetaking
Format: Hybrid
Location: MCI Interpreting Lab, Glendon College, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
Recorded: No
Cost: In-Person Pricing C$130 (or ~US$94)
Description:
A Novel Look at Consecutive Notetaking
Beginners try to pack their notes with words. Teachers tell us to write down ideas. Either way, we're afraid we won't remember it all.
But what if we learn to see the story we're about to tell? Then note taking becomes a matter of drawing what's in our mind's eye, and interpreting is about painting a picture for our clients.
In this workshop, the presenter will begin by outlining the principles of visual note taking. From there, she will walk participants through real-world speeches they might encounter in the profession.
Participants will have an opportunity to share their notes, and to get feedback on their work.
[Note: This is an in-person ticket; online tickets are also available for this event.]
About your instructor(s):
Before she became an interpreter, Qjinti Barrios van der Valk explored many worlds: she studied political science in Paris; worked for UNESCO in La Paz, Bolivia; managed a community centre in the French banlieue; and even had a brief stint in street theater! Over time, she was drawn to interpreting, graduating in 2008 from the conference interpreter training program at the Université de Genève. She then began her career as a free-lance conference interpreter in Paris and at the EU. She also taught at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest, in Angers, and at the Université de Strasbourg, and she undertook undergraduate and graduate studies in Linguistics and Quechua at the INALCO in Paris. Her working languages are French, Spanish, English and Italian. She left it all behind in 2014 to join the Glendon MCI team and to become a Torontonian. She hasn’t looked back since.
Additional donation:
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be added, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page or to any other item at check-out.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
Instructor: Rony Gao
Date: October 18, 2025
Time: 12-1:30 EDT / 9-10:30 PDT
Workshop/Webinar: C-A-R-E: Four contextual factors in conference interpreting.
Format: Hybrid
Location: MCI Interpreting Lab, Glendon College, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
Cost: In-Person Pricing C$130 (or ~US$94)
Recorded: Yes
Includes a link to the recording!
(A CEP-eligible workshop for ATA members)
Description:
C-A-R-E: Four contextual factors in conference interpreting.
Step into a conference interpreter's mind. With first-hand examples and case studies from interpreting assignments in business, technology and diplomatic settings, the speaker will examine four hidden forces that impact communication: cultural norms, audience profile, relationship, and expectations. This C-A-R-E framework entails contextual analysis, real time decisions and mission message delivery in a human centric way.
Although most examples will come from English to Chinese interpreting, explanations will be provided so that the same principles are transferable to all language pairs. (Re)discover the art of conference interpreting with humans at its core. Step one? CARE more.
[Note: This is an in-person ticket. Online-only tickets are also available for this event.]
About your instructor(s):
Rony Gao is a prize-winning Chinese/English conference interpreter, certified translator and trainer based in Toronto, Canada. As a member of the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) and Chinese/English conference interpreter accredited by the Canadian Federal Government, Rony Gao has provided interpretation for the Chinese Premier’s Delegation to Canada, several Canadian Prime Ministers, UN specialized agencies, the Tokyo Olympic Games, and many other leaders in government, business, technology and academia. He currently shares his expertise as an instructor at the Glendon Master of Conference Interpreting program at York University in Canada.
Additional donation:
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be added, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page or to any other item at check-out.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
Instructor: Rony Gao
Date: October 18, 2025
Time: 12-1:30 EST / 9-10:30 PST
Workshop/Webinar: C-A-R-E: Four contextual factors in conference interpreting.
Format: Hybrid
Location: Zoom
Recorded: Yes
Cost: Online Pricing C$110 (or ~US$80)
Includes a link to the recording!
(A CEP-eligible workshop for ATA members)
Description:
C-A-R-E: Four contextual factors in conference interpreting.
Step into a conference interpreter's mind. With first-hand examples and case studies from interpreting assignments in business, technology and diplomatic settings, the speaker will examine four hidden forces that impact communication: cultural norms, audience profile, relationship, and expectations. This C-A-R-E framework entails contextual analysis, real time decisions and mission message delivery in a human centric way.
Although most examples will come from English to Chinese interpreting, explanations will be provided so that the same principles are transferable to all language pairs. (Re)discover the art of conference interpreting with humans at its core. Step one? CARE more.
You will need a reliable wired internet connection, a headset and microphone.
[Note: This is an online ticket. In-person tickets are also available for this event.]
About your instructor(s):
Additional donation:
For those with the means, a donation of any amount can be added, even without purchase, at the very bottom of this page or to any other item at check-out.
Note:
Since this workshop is given as part of a fundraiser, we are not able to process any refunds. Thank you for your support!
$
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