Are Base Standards Necessary For Certified Interpreters and Translators
18/04/20 19:14 Archived in: E-zine
By Miggy Bondoc, Tomedes USA
Meta Description: What are industry standards for professional translators? Certified interpreters? How to become a certified interpreter? How to get a job with a translation agency?
It seems that virtually all areas within the industrialized realm have some kind of certification or other regulatory standards in order to ascertain the individual level of professionalism of the practitioners of that industry. For plenty of translators, it's one of the many hurdles as one of the frequent translation challenges, specifically when looking for projects whether as a certified interpreter or professional translator working for a translation agency, is that there are so many different types of standards and certification.
Depending on the type of job that a person is looking for, and which particular industry they wish to gain entry into as a professional translator or certified interpreter, the requirements and even the certification will be entirely different, often having very little in common with very similar jobs in very different fields. Learning how to become a translator will be very different from learning how to become a certified interpreter in other ways as well.
The most notable difference between a translator and interpreter is that a translator, by industry specific standards, translates the written word where an interpreter interprets verbal communications. While both of these fall under a broader range of professional translation services, they remain separate and distinctly different job categories.
This is perhaps most well demonstrated in terms of court interpreters where certified or professional level court interpreters can be appointed and paid for by the courts, but even the most basic of professional translation services are not mandated as a responsibility of the courts. In legal cases where legal document translation services prove to be necessary, no court appointed translators will be made available. This was further upheld and an explanation of exactly what is the difference between a translator and an interpreter was made public record in the Supreme Court decision of TANIGUCHI v. KAN PACIFIC SAIPAN, LTD..
It should also be noted however, that even in court cases where a court appointed translator may be made available, there still may be some cost to the defendant. It is also probably a good idea to note that these appointees depend on the court for work and pay, so they just may, even subconsciously, be slightly prejudiced in the favor of the courts rather than the defendant.
What is often overlooked, are the common job descriptions for both the professional level interpreter and the professional or certified translator. At their most basic levels, both of these jobs are about exchanging the words in one language for the same words in another language, though it is never really this easy.
The entire purpose of a professional translator or a certified interpreter is to accurately and completely translate not only the words, but the actual meaning of that which is being translated or interpreted. There is a very subtle but very important difference.
This is also one of the things that complicates the issue of professional level certification for professional translators and certified interpreters. In fact, the basic standards and requirements for becoming a certified court interpreter have not even been established within the United Judicial System at anything other than the federal level.
According to the US Courts dot gov website, there are two types of court interpreters in the Federal Courts of the United States. The top rated people are certified court interpreters with another level being professionally qualified interpreters. Unfortunately, once a move is made down to the state courts or local courts, the requirements for becoming a certified court interpreter are subject to more local jurisdiction and may not even require much if any real training.
At the local level, courts are free to appoint anyone that has impressed the court to a sufficient level that the court is "reasonably assured" that the person can do the job that should be relegated to a certified court interpreter. At the State level, what it takes to become a certified court interpreter will depend on the different requirements of the different States in question. Each State has its own requirements and certification process for professional interpreters.
Also, remembering the Supreme Court decision, it should be noted that there is absolutely no way at present to become a court appointed legal document translation expert. Legal document translation services are generally the responsibility of the defendant, often through their private attorney. Furthermore, and on a more personal note, in cases where the legal process and the unique linguistic characteristics of the language of the law are in play, it may be best to consider the use of professional translation services.
A translation agency will generally have professional translators intimately familiar with the unique language of the law and capable of providing more accurate and complete translations. The same of course, also holds true for court appointed interpreters. With someone's life quite literally on the line, the relatively small cost to hire a translation agency that offers professional interpretation services seems a very small price to pay.
It may be necessary to both hone and enhance the skills of a translator before seeking to become a certified translator working for a translation agency. Fortunately, there are a great many ways to improve your skills as a professional translator and to get paid at the very same time.
Some people are under the mistaken belief that just because someone grew up in a bilingual household that they are capable of translating Spanish to English or translating from English to Spanish. While the ability to speak two languages fluently is certainly a step in the right direction, it often lacks a more comprehensive national linguistic and cultural understanding, most notably in terms of idioms and other variations including more localized vernacular.
These, or even a lack of these skills will be readily apparent especially in the realm of a live interpreter, but also for the certified or professional translator. While it is not the job of a professional translator to interpret what is said, it is also important that they understand enough about localized and even national expressions of speech that they can differentiate these from an actual exchange of information, and translate them accordingly.
Luckily, it is relatively easy for someone who is bilingual to get a job working for a translation agency, even without any real experience. These jobs may force the translator to work for slightly lower wages in the beginning, but as they increase their skills, there is virtually no limit as to how much you can earn as a certified translator.
Freelance sites are also another great way to find work as a translator or even as an interpreter working from home. The secret to making this a successful way to make a living from home is in digging deep enough into the freelance websites to find people that are looking for regular, long-term partnerships. In this way, not only can the skills of a professional translator be rapidly improved through constant work but there is a built in way for the translator online to steadily increase their rates and their earnings potential.
It is important to note that the actual requirements for both professional translators and certified interpreters will vary based on the different industries. About the only way to transcend all of these individual and unique requirements for professional certification as a translator or interpreter, is to learn how to become a language specialist.
For those that are seeking to become a professional translator or certified interpreter, there are some industry standards for a language specialist that will open up doors and job opportunities virtually anywhere in the world. For anyone that can work on getting a job with the CIA or other alphabet agencies to become a language specialist, the resulting certification and the power of the name alone will allow for the person being certified to find a job virtually anywhere in the world.
The CIA currently lists eighty-seven languages for which it is hiring language specialists, many including programs including educational opportunities to advance existing skills in translation and interpreting. The ability to secure one of these jobs, regardless of whether or not a career as a professional translator or interpreter in government service is the choice, will open up doors in virtually all industries where translators and interpreters are needed.
One very good paying career choice for both professional translators and interpreters is service in the global diplomatic corps. For certification as a translator or interpreter in the diplomatic corps, one need look no further than the United Nations. Virtually every word spoken and every document written at any United Nations facility is immediately translated or interpreted into at least six primary languages.
Becoming a certified translator or certified interpreter for the United Nations is another job like the language specialists for the alphabet agencies, that will result in doors opening up virtually everywhere. The United Nations does require that certain language skills are already in place for both professional translators and interpreters, but generally these are no more than the requirements for work in any government embassy.
Embassy work also opens up opportunities around the world for both professional translators and certified interpreters, and only a portion of these fields will be filled by agents of the many, more secretive government agencies. Nonetheless and despite the pervasive and global nature of politics, United Nations or even national government certification for translators and interpreters will not result in global linguistic standards for either field.
At the end of the day, it is virtually impossible to establish any real base standards for certified translators and interpreters. This is largely due to the fact that virtually every area will have its own unique and specific needs. The oversight of government and other regulatory agencies may be necessary at the end of the day, but this should only be to establish minimal industry standards. Each industry must be capable of setting its own terms on how to become a certified translator or interpreter.
As was briefly noted above, the requirements for legal document translation services and those of a court interpreter will be different, even if they are both similar in nature. Each must certainly have a good grasp of the law and legal terminology to be able to translate not only the words, but their specific meanings as well.
A translation agency specializing in medical document translation services will have different requirements than an interpreter working, interpreting the conversations between a doctor and their patient. Again there will be a great many similarities between the two, but there are still going to be a great many subtle differences that only an industry professional is going to recognize.
In order for the professional translator or interpreter to determine exactly what is going to be necessary for becoming certified in their respective fields, it will be necessary to determine in which fields they want to work. Given the ongoing globalization, not only in the realm of diplomacy, but even in regards to business and industry, that should do nothing to limit the fields open to professional translators and interpreters.
Submitted by M. Bondoc, Tomedes USA
The Challenges of Certification for Professional Translators and Interpreters
Meta Description: What are industry standards for professional translators? Certified interpreters? How to become a certified interpreter? How to get a job with a translation agency?
It seems that virtually all areas within the industrialized realm have some kind of certification or other regulatory standards in order to ascertain the individual level of professionalism of the practitioners of that industry. For plenty of translators, it's one of the many hurdles as one of the frequent translation challenges, specifically when looking for projects whether as a certified interpreter or professional translator working for a translation agency, is that there are so many different types of standards and certification.
Depending on the type of job that a person is looking for, and which particular industry they wish to gain entry into as a professional translator or certified interpreter, the requirements and even the certification will be entirely different, often having very little in common with very similar jobs in very different fields. Learning how to become a translator will be very different from learning how to become a certified interpreter in other ways as well.
What is the Difference Between an Interpreter and a Translator – And What is the Same?
The most notable difference between a translator and interpreter is that a translator, by industry specific standards, translates the written word where an interpreter interprets verbal communications. While both of these fall under a broader range of professional translation services, they remain separate and distinctly different job categories.
This is perhaps most well demonstrated in terms of court interpreters where certified or professional level court interpreters can be appointed and paid for by the courts, but even the most basic of professional translation services are not mandated as a responsibility of the courts. In legal cases where legal document translation services prove to be necessary, no court appointed translators will be made available. This was further upheld and an explanation of exactly what is the difference between a translator and an interpreter was made public record in the Supreme Court decision of TANIGUCHI v. KAN PACIFIC SAIPAN, LTD..
It should also be noted however, that even in court cases where a court appointed translator may be made available, there still may be some cost to the defendant. It is also probably a good idea to note that these appointees depend on the court for work and pay, so they just may, even subconsciously, be slightly prejudiced in the favor of the courts rather than the defendant.
What is often overlooked, are the common job descriptions for both the professional level interpreter and the professional or certified translator. At their most basic levels, both of these jobs are about exchanging the words in one language for the same words in another language, though it is never really this easy.
The entire purpose of a professional translator or a certified interpreter is to accurately and completely translate not only the words, but the actual meaning of that which is being translated or interpreted. There is a very subtle but very important difference.
This is also one of the things that complicates the issue of professional level certification for professional translators and certified interpreters. In fact, the basic standards and requirements for becoming a certified court interpreter have not even been established within the United Judicial System at anything other than the federal level.
How to Become a Certified Court Interpreter
According to the US Courts dot gov website, there are two types of court interpreters in the Federal Courts of the United States. The top rated people are certified court interpreters with another level being professionally qualified interpreters. Unfortunately, once a move is made down to the state courts or local courts, the requirements for becoming a certified court interpreter are subject to more local jurisdiction and may not even require much if any real training.
At the local level, courts are free to appoint anyone that has impressed the court to a sufficient level that the court is "reasonably assured" that the person can do the job that should be relegated to a certified court interpreter. At the State level, what it takes to become a certified court interpreter will depend on the different requirements of the different States in question. Each State has its own requirements and certification process for professional interpreters.
Also, remembering the Supreme Court decision, it should be noted that there is absolutely no way at present to become a court appointed legal document translation expert. Legal document translation services are generally the responsibility of the defendant, often through their private attorney. Furthermore, and on a more personal note, in cases where the legal process and the unique linguistic characteristics of the language of the law are in play, it may be best to consider the use of professional translation services.
A translation agency will generally have professional translators intimately familiar with the unique language of the law and capable of providing more accurate and complete translations. The same of course, also holds true for court appointed interpreters. With someone's life quite literally on the line, the relatively small cost to hire a translation agency that offers professional interpretation services seems a very small price to pay.
How to Become a Certified Translator
It may be necessary to both hone and enhance the skills of a translator before seeking to become a certified translator working for a translation agency. Fortunately, there are a great many ways to improve your skills as a professional translator and to get paid at the very same time.
Some people are under the mistaken belief that just because someone grew up in a bilingual household that they are capable of translating Spanish to English or translating from English to Spanish. While the ability to speak two languages fluently is certainly a step in the right direction, it often lacks a more comprehensive national linguistic and cultural understanding, most notably in terms of idioms and other variations including more localized vernacular.
These, or even a lack of these skills will be readily apparent especially in the realm of a live interpreter, but also for the certified or professional translator. While it is not the job of a professional translator to interpret what is said, it is also important that they understand enough about localized and even national expressions of speech that they can differentiate these from an actual exchange of information, and translate them accordingly.
Luckily, it is relatively easy for someone who is bilingual to get a job working for a translation agency, even without any real experience. These jobs may force the translator to work for slightly lower wages in the beginning, but as they increase their skills, there is virtually no limit as to how much you can earn as a certified translator.
Freelance sites are also another great way to find work as a translator or even as an interpreter working from home. The secret to making this a successful way to make a living from home is in digging deep enough into the freelance websites to find people that are looking for regular, long-term partnerships. In this way, not only can the skills of a professional translator be rapidly improved through constant work but there is a built in way for the translator online to steadily increase their rates and their earnings potential.
It is important to note that the actual requirements for both professional translators and certified interpreters will vary based on the different industries. About the only way to transcend all of these individual and unique requirements for professional certification as a translator or interpreter, is to learn how to become a language specialist.
How to Become a Language Specialist
For those that are seeking to become a professional translator or certified interpreter, there are some industry standards for a language specialist that will open up doors and job opportunities virtually anywhere in the world. For anyone that can work on getting a job with the CIA or other alphabet agencies to become a language specialist, the resulting certification and the power of the name alone will allow for the person being certified to find a job virtually anywhere in the world.
The CIA currently lists eighty-seven languages for which it is hiring language specialists, many including programs including educational opportunities to advance existing skills in translation and interpreting. The ability to secure one of these jobs, regardless of whether or not a career as a professional translator or interpreter in government service is the choice, will open up doors in virtually all industries where translators and interpreters are needed.
How to Become a Certified Interpreter in the Diplomatic Corps
One very good paying career choice for both professional translators and interpreters is service in the global diplomatic corps. For certification as a translator or interpreter in the diplomatic corps, one need look no further than the United Nations. Virtually every word spoken and every document written at any United Nations facility is immediately translated or interpreted into at least six primary languages.
Becoming a certified translator or certified interpreter for the United Nations is another job like the language specialists for the alphabet agencies, that will result in doors opening up virtually everywhere. The United Nations does require that certain language skills are already in place for both professional translators and interpreters, but generally these are no more than the requirements for work in any government embassy.
Embassy work also opens up opportunities around the world for both professional translators and certified interpreters, and only a portion of these fields will be filled by agents of the many, more secretive government agencies. Nonetheless and despite the pervasive and global nature of politics, United Nations or even national government certification for translators and interpreters will not result in global linguistic standards for either field.
Industry Specific Certification Requirements for Professional Translators and Certified Interpreters
At the end of the day, it is virtually impossible to establish any real base standards for certified translators and interpreters. This is largely due to the fact that virtually every area will have its own unique and specific needs. The oversight of government and other regulatory agencies may be necessary at the end of the day, but this should only be to establish minimal industry standards. Each industry must be capable of setting its own terms on how to become a certified translator or interpreter.
As was briefly noted above, the requirements for legal document translation services and those of a court interpreter will be different, even if they are both similar in nature. Each must certainly have a good grasp of the law and legal terminology to be able to translate not only the words, but their specific meanings as well.
A translation agency specializing in medical document translation services will have different requirements than an interpreter working, interpreting the conversations between a doctor and their patient. Again there will be a great many similarities between the two, but there are still going to be a great many subtle differences that only an industry professional is going to recognize.
In order for the professional translator or interpreter to determine exactly what is going to be necessary for becoming certified in their respective fields, it will be necessary to determine in which fields they want to work. Given the ongoing globalization, not only in the realm of diplomacy, but even in regards to business and industry, that should do nothing to limit the fields open to professional translators and interpreters.
Submitted by M. Bondoc, Tomedes USA