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tranfree issue 28 - 19th March 2001
Answers to Questions Most Commonly Asked by Translators No. 1
How do I become certified/accredited?
As moderator of the General Translation Business Issues forum...
http://www.translatortips.net/cgi-bin/ubb/Ultimate.cgi
...I have seen this question pop up a couple of times.
Professional societies offer the best route to achieving
recognisable certification, which can be useful for raising your
profile as a quality conscience translator. Links to the websites
of these societies can be found at...
http://www.translatortips.net/profsoc.html
Here's an outline of some of the certification/accreditation
programs...
- ATA (American Translators Association) accreditation is awarded
after a candidate passes an open-book examination administered
under controlled conditions. It is available only to Association
members and covers a limited number of language pairs. The ATA
website has lots of information about their accreditation
program, including an online practice test.
- The ITI (Institute of Translation & Interpreting) offers a method
of self-certification through membership and fellowship of the
ITI. They have a set of guidelines and seals for self-
certification by its members. The ITI also maintains a list of
Translation and Interpreting courses available in the UK.
- The IoL (Institute of Linguists) offers a range of professional
qualifications for various applications of language skills. They
are examination based, and qualifications such as the Diploma in
Translation are available in a wide range of language pairs with
exam sittings available worldwide.
- Through the CTIC (Canadian Translators and Interpreters Council)
you can obtain the titles of certified translator, certified
conference interpreter, certified court interpreter and certified
terminologist. To become a certified translator you need to sit
an examination which is held annually on the same day in a number
of cities across Canada. However, a language professional who has
had at least 5 years of professional practice may apply for
certification on dossier. They also say that a third alternative,
certification by internship (mentoring), will soon be available.
Others have referral and recommendation systems which are
designed to assure clients of a translator's quality level, and
promote member translators towards clients looking for such. Not
certification really, but a quality assurance system for members
to take part. Check your local society to see what they can
offer...
http://www.translatortips.net/profsoc.html
There may be full certification/accreditation programs I have
missed. If so please let me know and I will add it to my list to
pass on to future interested parties. Thanks 
phil@translatortips.net
If you have a go at becoming certified, or have recently done so,
I'd be very interested to hear your opinion of how the program
you followed works...
phil@translatortips.net
I hope this helps - good luck!
Phil Naylor is Business Development Manager of...
http://www.translatortips.com
helping translators do better business
There's also now extra information on Accreditation and Certification
for translators in the tranfree discussion forum...
Click here to go there now...
Click here to return to tranfree 28 main page
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