Translators and Interpreters
Translators/Interpreters
Those who have a flair for languages, can make a career out of it.
India’s expanding trade links need people with skills in languages. Foreign languages like French, German, Russian, Chinese and more recently Japanese, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean are in great demand..
Interpreters need a thorough knowledge of the language, because they have to transfer spoken statements from one language to another mostly in real time, where as translators have to translate written documents, which needs writing skills but are not in real time.
Job Prospects
Foreign language specialist can find good jobs in the travel and tourism sector, hotel industry, exhibitions and fairs, airline offices, export agencies, radio stations, trade organizations and of course teaching.
For pursuing a career in teaching, a teacher should be a graduate in that foreign language and must have a teaching degree.
After pursuing courses in foreign languages, some people like to work as freelancers. There is work in translation bureaus, research organizations, international organizations like UNO, FAO, foreign companies, Reserve Bank of India, publishing houses etc.
Skill in foreign language with other additional qualifications in areas like management, tourism, hospitality industry, airlines can enhance chances for employment.
Interpreting and translation are rather more skilled jobs, and innate knowledge of more than one language is the basic requirement.
There are 3 types of courses available for a career in foreign languages,
Certificate
Diploma
Degree course.
Some institutes offer both basic and advanced level courses such as postgraduate and PhD, some of them extending upto 5-6 years.
The Difference between translator and Interpreter
Apparently, the difference between interpreting and translation is only the difference in the medium: the interpreter translates orally, while a translator interprets written text.
However, the differences in the training, skills, and talents needed for each job are huge.
The key skill of a very good translator is the ability to write well, to express him/herself clearly in the target language. An ability to understand clearly the source language is necessary but the person does not have to be fluent in it. With the help of dictionaries and other reference material translation can be done.
An interpreter, on the other hand, has to translate in both directions, without the use of any dictionaries, on the spot. s/he has to be fluent in both the languages .
Translator
Translators translate written material from one language to another.
The kind of material involved may include product manuals, business reports, business correspondence, legal documents, websites, subtitles for films, song lyrics, and literature.
Translation is not just typing. Every job has different combination of research, analysis, composition, editing and formatting .
To be a translator you need the talent to write and express yourself competently in the target language, usually your native tongue, and a good knowledge of the source language(s), usually some foreign languages.
Fluency in the source language(s) is not essential, but you definitely need an excellent understanding of the written version of the source language and the culture of the people who speak it.
Expert knowledge of other subjects, qualifications in translation, and membership of a professional association are also very helpful.
Translation can be organized in three dimensions:
By approach,
By field,
By tools used.
Translation by Approach
• Absolute translation:
A complete translation of a text without any modification of content or form of the first document.
• Abstract translation:
A summary, or an shortened version of useful content.
• Keyword translation:
Only the keywords, indicative of basic concepts of the text, are transferred into the target language to establish the necessity of full translation.
• Selective translation:
A description of the details relating to a specific aspect of the source translation and eliminating any other irrelevant information. Additional explanatory notes are often included to add depth to the certain subject.
• Sight translation:
the oral translation of a written text that usually occurs without preparation, on demand, in a professional environment.
Translation by Field
• General
• Technical
• Scientific
• Medical
• Literary
• Business
• Financial
Translation by Tools
There are software available for translations. Indeed some search and other sites are also offering onsite translations using such tools.
CAT (Computer Assisted Translation)
MT (Machine Translation)
Human, Dictionary Assisted Manual Translation
The internet and other reference materials.
Translation memory software, such as TRADOS.
There is a difference between CAT and MT.
When using Machine Translation, the computer is in control of the translating process, with the translator used as a source of information required from the computer.
Computer Assisted Translation is a software that serves to aid the translator, who is in control of the translation process.
Most of a translator's work can be done electronically as a freelancer with little interaction with the client, but sometimes hardcopy is used with no aid outside of dictionaries.
Openings
Many translators are freelancers, and/or work for translation agencies, who find clients and arrange payment.
There are also positions for in-house translators in some large organizations.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India recruits translators for various languages including Pushto and Tajik. The vacancies for these posts are advertised in the ‘Employment News’ from time to time.
Remuneration
Translators get paid between Rs. 50/- to Rs.100/- per page.
An interpreter gets paid on hourly basis and at present the rate varies from Rs. 300/- to Rs. 500/- per hour.
For those working with embassies can get paid between Rs. 8000/- p.m. to Rs. 10000/- p.m.
Interpreter
Interpreters work with the spoken word at conferences, meetings, trials, hospitals and anywhere else that interpretation is needed.
There are two types of interpreting:
Consecutive and
Simultaneous.
Consecutive interpreting involves giving a translation after speakers have spoken and often translating in both directions between languages.
Consecutive interpreting may occur at smaller meetings, discussions between politicians, business people and journalists, and also in courtrooms and hospitals
For simultaneous interpreting the interpreter sits in a booth wearing a pair of headphones and speaking into a microphone. S/he needs to understand the spoken language completely to convey the meaning correctly in the target language without any break.
Simultaneous interpreting usually happens at big conferences and meetings.
The interpreter sitting in a soundproof booth listening on headphones to delegates giving speeches in a foreign language and at the same time, speaking a translation in their (the interpreter's) native language into a microphone.
The delegates who speak that language also wears headsets to listen to understand what's going on.
Simultaneous interpreting is a high-pressure, high-stress and usually well-paid job. Simultaneous interpreters often work in teams with each individual interpreting for 15-20 minutes at a time.
Many interpreters are self-employed and find clients themselves, and/or work for agencies, who find the clients and handle payments. There are also positions for interpreters in some large organizations, such as the United Nations, governments and the military.
Interpreting rates are frequently rates per unit of time spent interpreting. Rates can vary widely according to the language, whether you are dealing with an individual or an agency, and the pricing policy of the individual.
Classes and Training
Indira Gandhi University
The main aim of PGDT is to enable students acquire skills in translation from Hindi to English and viceversa. These courses have been prepared, keeping in mind the need for translation in our socio-cultural and professional areas. The programme consists of five courses, each of six credits. It can be completed in a minimum of one year and a maximum of 4 years.
http://www.ignou.ac.in/schools/sotst/courses.htm
PG Diploma in Translation (PGDT) distance mode
Address:
G Block, Academic Complex Zakir Hussain Bhawan
Room No. 11 IGNOU, Maidan Garhi
Tel: 29572975, 29572988
Email: sotst@ignou.ac.in,
jagdishsharma@ignou.ac.in,
rajendrapandey@ignou.ac.in,
deoshankarnavin@ignou.ac.in
EFL University
Diploma in Translation
Advanced Diploma in Professional Translation
Post-Graduate Diploma in Translation Studies (PGDTS)
http://www.efluniversity.ac.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=177
Hyderabad Campus
General Number 27098131 General Number 27689400
Course(s) Offered: Certificate Course In Techniques Of Translation
Duration: 1 year
Eligibility: Graduation with knowledge of Hindi & English
Medium of instruction/examination is English/Gujarati/Hindi/Marathi Personal contact programme are arranged at Mumbai, Pune and Rajkot
Address:
SNDT Women's University, Department of Correspondence Courses & Distance Education, Juhu Road, Santacruz, Mumbai 400049
Ph: 6128462, 6128493.
E-Mail: admin@sndt.org
Website: www.sndt.org
PG Diploma in Translation (PGDT) distance mode
The main aim of PGDT is to enable students acquire skills in translation from Hindi to English and vice versa. This is the first course in the country to teach Translation through the Distance mode. This course has been prepared keeping in view the need for translation in our socio-cultural and professional areas.
Eligibility: Graduation with English and Hindi or with Hindi medium and English as one the subjects.
Duration: Minimum one year, maximum 4 years. Medium: Hindi
School of Humanities
Tagore Bhawan, Block F
Indira Gandhi National Open University,
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068,
Ph. : 91- 011- 29536441
Telefax: 91- 011- 29532175
E-Mail : jmparakh@ignou.ac.in
http://www.ignou.ac.in/schools/soh/Pgt.htm
Online courses
Distance and Online Courses for Translators
The courses that are offered for translators range from very basic introductory courses to internationally recognized masters degrees and doctorates. Some are suitable for beginners or language learners, others prepare for official exams or a university degree, still others might be considered as refresher or continuing education courses.
The following list also includes some courses for interpreters, subtitlers and terminologists.
http://www.translationdirectory.com/article1059.htm
Free Online Language Courses
We have attempted to place as many online courses at your disposal as possible. These sites contain lessons to help learn one language from another. The courses vary in quality and the quantity of material presented. Please note that some of the courses may require your browser to have the ability to read the language being learned. The links we provide are to free resources.
http://www.word2word.com/coursead.html
9 Free online translation Courses
A list of free courses online.
http://www.emagister.co.uk/free_online_translation_courses-tps260262.htm
TRANSLATION COURSES
We offer internationally recognised CERTIFICATE and DIPLOMA
courses for professional translators, which may be followed from anywhere in the world by email.
http://www.wls.ie/tranbroc.htm
Introduction to Interpreting
The ‘Introduction to Interpreting’ course will help you start building the knowledge and skills you will use as an ‘Accredited’ or ‘Recognised’ Interpreter.
The course includes exercises and tests to help you improve your skills.
http://www.naati.com.au/tw-onlinecourse.html
Interpreting Certificates
This program is intended for UMass undergraduates, graduates and non-affiliated professionals. In this program, students will learn how to interpret for both patients and for health care providers in a medical setting. Skills covered include medical terminology, word derivations abbreviations, memory retention, note-taking, standards of practice, ethics, and multicultural problem-solving. This class is multilingual, with most major languages offered.
http://www.umasstranslation.com/academics/interpreting-certificates/
Foreign Languages, Translation, and Interpreting
At NYU-SCPS Online courses are of equal rigor to New York University’s highly acclaimed on-site continuing education programs.
http://www.scps.nyu.edu/areas-of-study/foreign-languages/continuing-education/online-courses.html
Interpreter Training Resources
This site is a compilation of ideas and tips aimed at helping students to acquire the skills necessary to become conference interpreters...
Conference Interpreting Training Programmes
AIIC members have been closely involved in designing, administering and teaching interpreter training programmes from the very beginnings of modern conference interpretation. Drawing on this collective experience, which is now part of our professional heritage, the AIIC Training Committee (TC) has established the series of best practice criteria.
http://www.aiic.net/ViewPage.cfm/page60.htm
Online Class in translation / interpretation
http://aboutranslation.blogspot.com/2006/09/foundations-of-translation-lesson-1.html
RIC International Com ( Interpreting)
http://world.std.com/~ric/what_is_int.html
Askedu.net
School(s) providing training of Professional Language Translations
http://www.askedu.net/training_topic/k_Translation_1.htm
Other sites
Saviodsilva
This site offers translations in all languages, and also looks for translators.
http://www.saviodsilva.net/travel.htm
Institute of Translation and Interpreting
The independent professional association of practicing translators and interpreters in the UK.
Language Advantage
Language portal with information on careers with languages and on learning language
Language Work
For links to all of the above and more , plus the full range of
Languages Work materials.
lexicool.com
Is primarily a directory of "all" the online bilingual and multilingual dictionaries and glossaries freely available on the Internet. It is a resource intended for translators, linguists, language students and all those interested in foreign languages.
Anukriti
A site for translations a site of Sahitya academy
Translation courses list at anukriti :
http://www.anukriti.net/education.asp