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What
is the difference between an interpreter and a translator?
An interpreter works with the spoken word between two languages, meaning he/she must know both languages just about equally well. An interpreter must have good public speaking skills and like working with people.
A translator works with the written word between two languages, usually into his/her dominant language only, rather than into the second and less well-known language. A translator must have good writing, grammar and syntax skills into his/her dominant language. Translators must know how to use a computer, know software programs like MS Office, Word, Excel and PowerPoint and terminology management software, like Trados, Déja Vu, SDL, etc. Also, how to find new terminology on the Internet. The above skills are also useful for interpreters, but not as mandatory.
See the booklet “Translation, getting it right: A guide to buying translations” that the American Translators Association (www.atanet.org) published. Buy it in bulk, and hand copies to all your clients.
Where
can I get certified as an interpreter or translator?
In 2004, the American Translators Association (ATA) changed its program from accreditation to certification. There are a limited number of language pairs that can be certified at this time; more are being added as tests are developed and graders trained. Please contact the ATA directly for both membership and certification information. Their website is www.atanet.org.
For interpreters, there are the following certifications: (1) a Federal (nationwide) certification for court interpreters in three languages (Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Navajo) at present; visit the website at http://www.cps.ca.gov/fcice-spanish/faq.asp and (2) a State court certification available through the National Center for State Court’s Consortium in nine languages (Arabic, Cantonese, Haitian-Creole, Hmong, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese), with others being added as tests are developed and graders trained. There are 34 states, as of this writing, that are members of this Consortium and each of these states recognizes the certification of the interpreters in the other states. Please contact The National Center for State Courts in Williamsburg, VA for more details at www.ncsconline.org and go to Court Interpretation. Also see the FAQs at the site. You can also check this site to see if your state is a member of the Consortium or not.
NAJIT (National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators) also has a “national interpretation examination”. Check out their website at www.najit.org
In Texas, the
certification is called “licensing” and the exam and paperwork is
handled by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, visit the
website at
http://www.license.state.tx.us/ and under Professional (in the
right hand column) go to Licensed Court Interpreters, there is a huge
amount of information and forms, pay attention to all of it. This
is the same exam as the one used by the National Center for State
Court’s Consortium. There is NO certification for medical interpreters at this time, although some states do have some programs. However, visit the following websites:
(1) California Healthcare Interpreters Association (CHIA) at http://chia.ws/documents/publications/CA_standards_healthcare_interpreters.pdf for more information.
(2) The Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association (MMIA) at http://www.mmia.org/
(3) The Cross Cultural Health Care Program (CCHCP) in Seattle, WA at http://www.diversityrx.org/HTML/MOIP.htm and go to Interpreters and Interpreter Practice
Can
anyone become a translator or interpreter if one is bilingual?
Yes, but … please
read our
separate
article on Beyond
Bilingualism.
How
do I get started as a translator or interpreter, what are the
requirements?
Please see our
Where can I study to become an interpreter or translator?Berkana Language Center, offers closed enrollment classes which can be requested, as well as the classes listed on our home page which are generally given in Houston, TX. Self-study materials are also available for purchase, please check the information under Products in this website.
The ATA puts out a
publication called Translation and Interpretation Programs in North
America. A Survey, by Dr. William M. Park, that lists all the
teaching institutions, both public and private, that offer either
individual classes or full programs on translation and interpretation.
It can be purchased from the ATA for approximately $25.00.
The National Center for Interpretation gives intensive 3-week courses in Spanish only, every July at the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, as well as other courses at different times and places. Contact them at 520/ 621-3615 or e-mail at ncitrp@u.arizona.edu or visit their website at: http://nci.arizona.edu
For individual practice audio tapes and transcripts for consecutive and simultaneous interpretation (court and medical), see the excellent materials offered in Spanish and some other languages by ACEBO of Spreckles, California – www.acebo.com .
In North Carolina, check the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) http://www.ncahec.net/ for classes given regularly throughout the year and the state for community and/or medical interpreters.
What
should I charge for my translation or interpretation work?
Like in any business in a free market, what you charge is negotiated between you and your client. Just for your information, in the U.S. translations are usually charged by the number of words in the target language or in the source language; in Europe, translations are charged by the number of lines in the target language. Translations are almost never charged by the page. Interpretations are charged by the hour or by the day, if the job is for a whole day or is located out of town.
Some of the things you want to consider in estimating your cost for a translation are:
· Language – due to supply and demand, some languages can demand higher rates than others. · Difficulty of the text – how much research time will be involved, do you have the appropriate dictionaries, who will edit/proofread your translation, how much information and help will the client provide? · Turn-around time of job – how long is the text, is there a rush deadline, do you have to stay up all night to finish it, do you have ample time to do it correctly? · Is this for a translation company or a direct client – obviously, a translation company will pay you less than a direct client, as they have to bear all the costs of marketing, translating, editing, desk-top publishing, collecting payment, etc., etc. · Hardware/software – do you have the equipment necessary for the job, do you know how to use it, what is the client/translation company requiring in terms of the format of the finished product? · Skill/experience – how well do you know the subject, is this your specialty or not, is this your 1st job or your 500th , what special skills do you bring to this job?
When estimating your cost for an interpreting job, consider the following:
· Is the job for consecutive or simultaneous interpreting – do you know how to interpret simultaneously, do you have equipment for simultaneous interpretation, will you charge the client for providing this equipment, who is going to partner you, will the client get a second interpreter or will you? · Is the job for a business meeting, a court case or a medical case or something else, do you have the appropriate certifications or proof of ability and qualifications? · Are you properly familiar with the subject matter that the client needs. How much material will the client provide so you can study, how much research will you have to do on your own? · Is the job in town or out of town – is the client paying for your travel expenses and travel time, is a long trip worth it to you in terms of family members or pets/plants that must be looked after while you are gone? Where is the job taking place – some places around the country/world are more expensive than others, can you combine this job with a holiday, do you really want to go to that city/country, is it safe for you to travel there? · Will all of your travel expenses be paid for by the client – (airfare, hotel, meals, mileage, parking, ground transportation, travel time) as well as your daily/hourly fee? Be aware that in some states or cities, professional fees are higher than in others, depending on the market there; i.e., rural areas typically pay less than urban areas. If you are interpreting for the courts, the state or the federal court usually has an assigned amount it will pay for interpreting and/or mileage and you will have to accept those or not do the job. Each time you accept an interpreting job be sure and ask who is to be invoiced and when you can expect payment, so you don’t get the nasty shock of finding that you have just “volunteered” because there is no budget to pay an interpreter! Remember, you are doing this as a business!
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What does Berkana mean? The name Berkana comes from an old Celtic rune. It denotes that which promotes both actual and symbolic growth; its action is gentle, penetrating and pervasive. The rune calls for going into things deeply, with care and awareness. It was felt that this would be an appropriate name for an institution concerned with the dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of individual growth. |
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