posted 25 November 2002 01:19            

I live in Sweden so I can start with some information concerning this country.
SWEDEN
One has to live permanently in Sweden or in another EES country (exceptions possible).
Age > 18, “of good conduct”, not incapacitated, eligible (suitable) for a translator
(whatever it means – my remark MJW) and pass the Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s test (Kammarkollegiet in Swedish).
The test consists of three parts: legal, economic & general text (usually editorial text from a magazine). One is allowed to use dictionaries and computer but the translation must be of a very high quality i. e. one serious mistake in one of the parts fails the whole test. The catch is that one has to pass all three parts during the same session.
Translations are examined one by one (starting with the legal text which is the most difficult one) and the examination stops once the given part is not approved. There are two independent examiners, one of them is usually a university scholar and the other one an experienced translator.

As you can see it is a difficult test and you really feel brainwashed as it takes practically a whole day (9 AM to 6 PM with one hour break for lunch). No wonder that only 5-10% of the participants pass the yearly test. On top of this it gives you the authorisation in “one direction”. You have to subdue yourself to another test if you want to translate “to” and “from” the given language.

Well, that will be all. I would appreciate to find some information how (if at all) the authorisation procedure works in other countries.

All the best to all of you

MJW
Marian-Jozef Waszkiewicz
Authorised Translator Swedish-Polish
Gothenburg, Sweden