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Translation & Interpretation

A Global Career

First, a quiz:What are the world's three most widely spoken languages (native speakers)?

Chinese (1.2 billion)Spanish (329 million)English (328 million)

What if non-native speakers are included?Chinese and English (1.3 billion each)Hindi (904 million)Arabic (530 million)

What languages are most spoken, proportionally, by Internet users?

English (30%)Chinese (22%)Spanish (8%)

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Basic Definitions:

Translation is transferring written text from a source language into the target language while maintaining the author’s intent.Interpretation is the transfer of oral speech from a source language into a target language while maintaining the speaker’s intent.

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What gets translated?• Personal documents• Literary works• Software (localization)• Film sub-titles• Advertisements• Legal documents • Contracts• Medical records…

ANYTHING IN TYPE!

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Machine Translation - What is it?

Automated translation - The application of computers to the task of translating texts from one

natural language to another - Largely unsuccessful except in very limited applications (e.g. repetitive

technical instructions)

Translation Memory tools (CAT = computer-aided translation)

- Software to create databases of previously translated material that can be referenced by the translator to improve consistency and improve productivity when translating highly repetitive texts

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Context is everything:Anlage

appendixaptitude arrangementassetattachment bearingconceptiondesignenclosureequipment

exhibit facility feedgiftgroundsinstallationinvestmentlandslidelawnlayout

parkpatternplacementplant restriderstructuresystem supplementtalent

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Translation is an art, not a science.

Machines can never replace the human translator.

As a good translator, your professional future is secure!

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What does “good” mean?

Accurate (same meaning)IdiomaticGrammatically correctStylistically effectivePresentation (formatting)

Ultimately: What the client needs

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More on Interpreting:

Types of Interpreting:ConsecutiveSimultaneous / ConferenceSight TranslationVoice-OverEscort

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Where do Translators Work?

Translators:“Free-lance” / Independent Contractor“In-house”• Medical • Legal • Government• Business• Literary• Hi-Tech

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Where do Interpreters Work?

Interpreters:Free-lance / Contractors “In-House”• Hospitals & General Community• Financial Institutions• Government / U.N. / Consulates• Business • Courts & Legal Entities • Escort

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Other related jobs:Besides translation into various languages, a number of other activities are involved in the translation industry to produce the final error-free product. These include:

Translation revision: Verification, correction, editing, proofreading

Terminology: Specialized domain vocabularyLanguage technology: Production of computational tools, R&DTranslator trainingPost-editing: Machine translation revisionTranslation management: Project coordinationAudiovisual translation: Dubbing, subtitling of film, TVTechnical and professional writing: Collaboration with translatorsPost editing: Machine translation revision

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How can I qualify to be a translator?

Skills: Foreign Language(s)EthicalEducationExperienceExcellent writerAttention to detailAccessibleSelf-motivated

Computer literateGood research skillsAble to focus and follow throughReliable & professionalFlexible

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How can I qualify to be an interpreter?

Skills: Foreign Language(s)“People person”EthicalEducationExperiencePleasant voiceAttention to detail

AccessibleCultural sensitivityPatient & good enduranceReliable & professionalFlexible

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Can I make a living at this?

According to various industry reports, the size of the global language services industry was $14.25 billion in 2008 and is projected to hit $25 Billion by 2013. Growth is projected at up to 10% annually. (Source: www.commensenseadvisory.com)

Areas of highest demand:

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How the market works:

International organizationsMultinational corporationsIn-house translatorsTranslation agenciesIndependent translators

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How work is billed:

By the wordBy the pageBy the jobBy the hour

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How much can I earn?

How hard are you willing to work?

As a freelancer, you largely determine your own income.

About a quarter of 1,135 interpreters in North America earn more than US$50,000 per year.

Male translators earn an average of US$65,901 compared with their female counterparts, who earn just US$55,790. However, in six countries – Denmark, France, India, Singapore, South Africa, and Switzerland – women earned more than men during each of the three years analysed

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How to get there...

Build a linguistic foundation (fluency)Cultural literacy - e.g. study and live abroadSubject knowledge - Focus on one or two areas that you like (e.g. medicine, fashion, environmental sciences)Advanced Training

miis.eduatanet.orgcourtinfo.ca.gov/programs/courtinterpreters/

InternshipsPro bono work

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The Bottom Line:

If you love languages

are self-motivated, capable, reliable,and know how to sell yourself, then

you can have a successful career as a translator and/or interpreter

and have a lot of fun in the process!

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T&I Organizations:Local

DVTA: Delaware Valley Translators Association www.dvta.org

NationalATA: American Translators Association www.atanet.org

InternationalAIIC: International Association of Conference Interpreters www.aiic.net