Translation & Interpretation

1. Translation & Interpretation A Global Career

2. 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%)

3. 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.

4. What gets translated? • Personal documents • Literary works • Software (localization) • Film sub-titles • Advertisements • Legal documents • Contracts • Medical records… ANYTHING IN TYPE!

5. 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

6. Context is everything: Anlage • appendix • aptitude • arrangement • asset • attachment • bearing • conception • design • enclosure • equipment • park • pattern • placement • plant • rest • rider • structure • system • supplement • talent • exhibit • facility • feed • gift • grounds • installation • investment • landslide • lawn • layout

7. Translation is an art, not a science. • Machines can never replace the human translator. • As a good translator, your professional future is secure!

8. What does “good” mean? • Accurate (same meaning) • Idiomatic • Grammatically correct • Stylistically effective • Presentation (formatting) Ultimately: What the client needs

9. More on Interpreting: • Types of Interpreting: • Consecutive • Simultaneous / Conference • Sight Translation • Voice-Over • Escort

10. Where do Translators Work? • Translators: • “Free-lance” / Independent Contractor • “In-house” • Medical • Legal • Government • Business • Literary • Hi-Tech

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

12. 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 vocabulary • Language technology: Production of computational tools, R&D • Translator training • Post-editing: Machine translation revision • Translation management: Project coordination • Audiovisual translation: Dubbing, subtitling of film, TV • Technical and professional writing: Collaboration with translators • Post editing: Machine translation revision

13. How can I qualify to be a translator? Skills: • Foreign Language(s) • Ethical • Education • Experience • Excellent writer • Attention to detail • Accessible • Self-motivated • Computer literate • Good research skills • Able to focus and follow through • Reliable & professional • Flexible

14. How can I qualify to be an interpreter? • Skills: • Foreign Language(s) • “People person” • Ethical • Education • Experience • Pleasant voice • Attention to detail • Accessible • Cultural sensitivity • Patient & good endurance • Reliable & professional • Flexible

15. 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:

16. How the market works: • International organizations • Multinational corporations • In-house translators • Translation agencies • Independent translators

17. How work is billed: • By the word • By the page • By the job • By the hour

18. 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

19. How to get there... • Build a linguistic foundation (fluency) • Cultural literacy - e.g. study and live abroad • Subject knowledge - Focus on one or two areas that you like (e.g. medicine, fashion, environmental sciences) • Advanced Training • miis.edu • atanet.org • courtinfo.ca.gov/programs/courtinterpreters/ • Internships • Pro bono work

20. 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!

21. T&I Organizations: • Local • DVTA: Delaware Valley Translators Association www.dvta.org • National • ATA: American Translators Association www.atanet.org • International • AIIC: International Association of Conference Interpreters www.aiic.net