Translation Evolution

Translation Evolution

Translation as an activity exists at least since mankind started developing trade millennia ago; so, if we include interpreting, it is no exaggeration to say that the origins of language industry are older than those of written language. Modern language industry has developed rapidly following availability of the internet. Achievements of the industry include the ability to quickly translate long texts into many languages. This has created new challenges as compared with the traditional activity of translators, such as that of quality assurance. There are some quality standards such as EN 15038 in Europe and ASTM F2575-06 in the USA. There are language industry companies of different sizes; none of them is dominant in the world market so far. There are human resources in translation of very different levels; internet has gathered professional translators, students, language teachers and professionals from other disciplines, all of them offering translation services. Apart from this, phenomenons such as crowd sourcing are every day more frequent to find in big-scale translations, which has given place to several polemics. One field of research in the industry includes the possibility of machine translation fully replacing human translation. 32 | P a g e Global Translation Institute (GTI)

Bilingual Dictionary | Translation Dictionary

A bilingual dictionary or translation dictionary is a specialized dictionary used to translate words or phrases from one language to another. Bilingual dictionaries can be unidirectional, meaning that they list the meanings of words of one language in another, or can be bidirectional, allowing translation to and from both languages. Bidirectional bilingual dictionaries usually consist of two sections, each listing words and phrases of one language alphabetically along with their translation.

In addition to the translation, a bilingual dictionary usually indicates the part of speech, gender, verb type, declension model and other grammatical clues to help a non-native speaker use the word. Other features sometimes present in bilingual dictionaries are lists of phrases, usage and style guides, verb tables, maps and grammar references. In contrast to the bilingual dictionary, a monolingual dictionary defines words and phrases instead of translating them.

Translation Agency Reputation

Translation Agency Reputation

From the moment you decide to become a Professional Translator, you are establishing the intention of working with translation and you might be thinking about the possibilities of possessing professional credibility and developing a good business reputation throughout your work presentation. Making mistakes and having negative information could cause problems for your business as a Professional Translator. Listen to your clients’ ideas and suggestions and don’t underestimate them. Even the hardest critique they might make towards your way of approaching a new translation work can be used to help you achieve your goals as a good translation provider. Properly and professionally addressing their concerns will also improve the image of your translation agency, whether you already have one or if you plan on opening an agency or working as a freelance in the future. What could be so special about your translating job that would actually keep bringing your clients back to you? Could that be the way you approach and develop the translation of your documents? What about the attention and care you give to your clients that makes them require even more from your professional translation services? Other valuable qualities that might make a big difference and increase your business reputation are the tools you choose to work with including a neat and organized office and, the most important of all things as a Professional Translator; your performance. All of these details are extremely important in order to earn a successful and well recognized Translation Agency Reputation. Remember your business is not only built by the big translation projects you work on, but also giving your small pieces of work the same meaning and respect that they deserve. You will feel proud and rewarded by doing your best!

Setting your Translation Rates There is a lot of demand for translators today

Setting your Translation Rates

There is a lot of demand for translators today. Knowing how much to charge your client can help you grow your client list or improve the profitability of your freelance translation business. When starting a career as a translator the rates can vary from $0.01 per word to $0.30 per word. But the rate depends on the project, length of the project, your expertise in that field, timeline of the project, and other variables that any translator should consider. If you have experience within a niche area, leverage that and position yourself as being more specialized in that space. Many times however, translators who have worked on just 2-3 projects will stretch the truth and claim expertise in areas they have never worked. Be upfront with your clients, be straightforward and honest with them and if needed slightly lower your rate on the first project or two in a new area until you prove yourself to them. 13 | P a g e Global Translation Institute (GTI)

Here is list of some common ways of rating your translation work:

 Charge By the word – this is the most common way used by translators today. On top of that, you could also add a minimum fee. For instance, you could charge $0.10 per word and have a minimum fee of $25. (You can control the minimum fee by decreasing or increasing it at anytime). It gives you liability in the amount of work, and you are not "stuck" with very small projects.

 By the hour – often charged for those types of translation job where charging by the words wouldn’t result in a reasonable payment (estimate how many hours it is going to take to translate). If the project will take too much of your time, the best way to get compensated in this case, is by charging your client by the hour.

 By the Page – usually for official and legal documents (ex. Birth Certificates, Marriage Licenses and other legal docs).

 Flat Fee – for small projects where you translate a minimum amount of words such as 250 words.

 Geographic location – Where you should live should not affect how much to charge your clients.

By working for a translation company, your salary should be determined by the agency. So it is up to you whether you want to work for yourself and set up your own rating, or work for an agency where the fee is established by them.

Ways to Become a Translator

Ways to Become a Translator

There are two distinct ways to become a translator: you may either have the talent and skill to translate; or you just happen to become a translator by circumstance, which could be through your current job or you may even be living abroad and find the opportunity to start a career as a translator. Some translators just happen to be passionate about learning foreign languages and enjoy discovering and understanding cultural differences between other people and their cultures. This drives them to engage into a translation study program, course or certification so that they will have credibility to start working as a professional translator. It could be either on a freelance basis or work for a translation company. Most of the people who work as translators find out about their abilities to translate later on in life in association with what they were already doing. Perhaps they traveled often to a foreign country on their current job position or they happened to be exchange students and translating was a good way of making money while studying and living abroad. By clicking here you can also find out if you’re eligible to join the CTP Certified Translation Professional program and join a qualified and reliable translation certification course.

The procedure for translating to legal equivalence

The procedure for translating to legal equivalence

The procedure for translation to legal equivalence differs from country to country. The standards of translation in Poland are regulated by a relevant department of the Ministry of Justice and every translator wishing to provide such services must pass a formal examination. Afterwards such a person is recognized as a 'sworn' translator - just like in Mexico. However, for ordinary translations (business, administration, and correspondence) it is enough to have an independent expert in the field. Spain, only sworn translators can do a sworn translation in Spain. To become a sworn translator in Spain you need to pass an exam by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Passing that exam allows you to apply for the certification as a "sworn interpreter". Then you register your stamp and signature and you communicate your rates for sworn translations to the Ministry, and they include your data in a public list of sworn interpreters.

In South Africa, the translator must be authorized by the High Court, and must use an original (or a sworn copy of an original) in his physical presence as his source text. The translator may only swear by his own translation. There is no requirement for an additional witness (such as a notary) to attest to the authenticity of the translation.