| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Advice required on breaking into the translation industry Thread poster: Mike Forge
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Hello everyone good afternoon!
I have some questions regarding the translation world and I’m hoping I can grab some feedback on behalf of my wife.
She is French living in the UK for the past 15 years. She is fluent in French and English. She has been doing freelance translation for the past 4 years but now wants to get qualifications in translation.
She has looked into studying a masters in translation but requires a degree. Her maximum qualification in ... See more Hello everyone good afternoon!
I have some questions regarding the translation world and I’m hoping I can grab some feedback on behalf of my wife.
She is French living in the UK for the past 15 years. She is fluent in French and English. She has been doing freelance translation for the past 4 years but now wants to get qualifications in translation.
She has looked into studying a masters in translation but requires a degree. Her maximum qualification in France is a BTS and she has a C2 in English.
Is there an accredited translator certificate in the UK? I believe not however what is the maximum recognised qualification of translation in the UK?
Is there an accredited translator qualification level in Europe?
Can she join the Masters without doing a degree?
Can she do an extra year of the BTS to turn it into a degree?
Which University in the UK offers the best Masters in translation?
Should she get her C1?
Is there any other route to get to the top table of a translator on the UK without going through a Masters I.E short courses?
How does she get certified in translation so she can translate legal, medical and financial documents?
So sorry for these amount of questions! If I am annoying anyone with these questions perhaps there is some sort of Society of translators I should contact?
Kind regards,
Michael ▲ Collapse
| | | | Marjolein Snippe 
Netherlands
Local time: 18:51
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
| Diploma in Translation (CIoL) | Sep 1, 2021 |
Hi Mike,
The Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) may be useful - take a look at the website:
https://www.ciol.org.uk/diptrans
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Can I just ask how are you can become certified to translate legal documents medical documents etc
| | | | | Open University | Sep 1, 2021 |
Hi Mike,
I just checked the Open University's entry requirements for its MA in translation (they are often more flexible than other universities) - it does list a UK honours degree as a requirement but says get in touch with an advisor if you don't have this.
Entry requirem... See more Hi Mike,
I just checked the Open University's entry requirements for its MA in translation (they are often more flexible than other universities) - it does list a UK honours degree as a requirement but says get in touch with an advisor if you don't have this.
Entry requirements for the OU MA are here:
https://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/modules/l803#entry
Maybe your wife should enquire directly with universities for more information (not because your questions are annoying but because they will have more information than we do).
The ITI may also be worth contacting for information: https://www.iti.org.uk/discover/career-in-translation-and-interpreting/how-to-become-a-translator.html
Rachel
[Edited at 2021-09-01 18:12 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Marjolein Snippe
Netherlands
Local time: 18:51
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
| define "certified" | Sep 2, 2021 |
Mike Forge wrote:
Can I just ask how are you can become certified to translate legal documents medical documents etc
There is no "official" process in the UK - the CIoL again has some useful information:
https://www.ciol.org.uk/certified-translations
For medical translations, I find clients often ask for a test translation and use this in combination with other (non-translation) diplomas plus translation experience.
| | | | | Translation qualifications | Sep 2, 2021 |
The American certifications (ATA) and Australian equivalent (NAATI) could be worthwhile. But again, there could be prerequisites training. In a case of "cart, before the horse", I too got lots of translation work before getting my NAATI certification following a short prerequisite course for that purpose. Now I am doing the interpretation part.
[Edited at 2021-09-02 13:55 GMT]
| | | | | The four years' experience count for something | Sep 4, 2021 |
If your wife has already been translating for four years she must have acquired some clients who can give her work. So does she really need a qualification? If she has to study full time for the qualification she won't be earning anything during this time and the studies will cost something, too. So will it be worth doing it in the hope of earning more in the future?
Having been translating for four years already she might well be proficient enough to take a translating exam without stud... See more If your wife has already been translating for four years she must have acquired some clients who can give her work. So does she really need a qualification? If she has to study full time for the qualification she won't be earning anything during this time and the studies will cost something, too. So will it be worth doing it in the hope of earning more in the future?
Having been translating for four years already she might well be proficient enough to take a translating exam without studying first. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Try this Diploma | Sep 5, 2021 |
Yes indeed, this is what I was thinking about, too. Your wife could take the exam at Level 7 and see whether she is good enough (I hope this doesn't seem too simplistic!). If you read through the pdf file on the website you will see that there are several options regarding specialisation etc.
Unit 02 Semi-specialised options (choose one)
• A (Technology) M/602/4680
• B (Business) J/602/4684Qualification spec-DipTrans.pdf
• C (Literature) L/602/4685
Unit 03 Semi-specialised options (choose one)
• D (Science) R/602/4686
• E (Social Science) Y/602/4687
• F (Law) D/602/4688
and I think you can download sample papers, too.
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A degree and the Dip. Trans are definitely good to have, but the way to get work is through contacts and convincing clients you can do the job.
Talk to the CIoL about preparing for the Dip. Trans, because it is quite demanding, and it would be a waste of time and money to take the exams without a good chance of passing. Don't be put off, just give it time and go about it the right way.
Try contacting other tran... See more A degree and the Dip. Trans are definitely good to have, but the way to get work is through contacts and convincing clients you can do the job.
Talk to the CIoL about preparing for the Dip. Trans, because it is quite demanding, and it would be a waste of time and money to take the exams without a good chance of passing. Don't be put off, just give it time and go about it the right way.
Try contacting other translators - I have had good experiences with colleagues at Proz.com powwows and other events. They have been hampered by Covid-19 restrictions, but let's hope face-to-face meetings start up again soon.
Look at events such as The Language Show https://languageshowlive.co.uk/
This is about much more than translation, but could perhaps suggest other ways of using language skills, as well as training options. And the section for language professionals is definitely worth spending time on.
Practical experience in real life is at least as valuable as a language qualification. What was your wife doing before she started freelancing?
Legal, medical and financial documents require solid knowledge of law, medicine and finance at least as much as a certified language qualification. Just google Lawyer-linguist or check out medical translators, and you will find at least as many who have qualifications in their subject fields as language qualifications - many have both.
However, a translator does not have to be qualified to practise law or medicine. I buy and read books written for lawyers and medical students - and second-hand books are cheaper, but absolutely adequate for a translator.
(I don't mess with finance; you can't specialise in everything!)
Look into online courses - the Open University has been mentioned, and Coursera might be useful. I took most of my language training some years ago, in Danish and in Denmark, so I am not up to date about what is available now, especially in French, but there must be plenty out there!
There are also translation agencies ... if you send CVs, I would go for the smaller ones. They look at the personal side and fit a translator to a client rather than ticking boxes, and some take a flexible approach to qualifications. Exam certificates are nice to have, and taking a good course will provide some useful short-cuts and advice. Skills from real life - and convincing the client you have them - will also get you jobs!
Best of luck!
[Edited at 2021-09-06 10:47 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 18:51
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Mike Forge wrote:
Her maximum qualification in France is a BTS and she has a C2 in English. ... Should she get her C1?
1. You don't mention what her BTS is for. Does she have a translation BTS?
2. I thought "C2" is a higher qualification than "C1". What do you mean by "C1" and "C2"?
What is the maximum recognised qualification of translation in the UK?
I'm not an expert, but it is my understanding that translation is a much less regulated industry in the UK than it is in France. Only a few government departments require very specific translation qualifications. Other employers allow themselves to be lead by ignorance and superstition w.r.t. what a qualification is worth.
How does she get certified in translation so she can translate legal, medical and financial documents?
No certification is required in the UK to legally be able to translate these documents. In fact, even for the translation of official documentation you don't need any special qualification in the UK.
Which University in the UK offers the best Masters in translation?
You seem to be fixated on a master's degree. Why wouldn't your wife just study for a bachelor's degree?
| | | | Barbara Carrara
Italy
Local time: 18:51
Member (2008)
English to Italian
+ ...
| Questions by proxy | Sep 6, 2021 |
Mike Forge wrote:
I have some questions regarding the translation world and I’m hoping I can grab some feedback on behalf of my wife.
She is French living in the UK for the past 15 years. She is fluent in French and English. She has been doing freelance translation for the past 4 years but now wants to get qualifications in translation.
My colleagues have already provided some valuable information for (you and) your wife.
But, if I may, why it's you writing on these pages and not your wife? Wouldn't it have been simpler for her to register and ask her own questions directly?
Thanks.
| | | | Adieu
Ukrainian to English
+ ...
Talk to strangers? Online? The young lady doesn't even have her Master's yet!
Barbara Carrara wrote: Mike Forge wrote:
I have some questions regarding the translation world and I’m hoping I can grab some feedback on behalf of my wife.
She is French living in the UK for the past 15 years. She is fluent in French and English. She has been doing freelance translation for the past 4 years but now wants to get qualifications in translation. My colleagues have already provided some valuable information for (you and) your wife. But, if I may, why it's you writing on these pages and not your wife? Wouldn't it have been simpler for her to register and ask her own questions directly? Thanks.
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Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:51
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| I don't think so | Sep 7, 2021 |
Adieu wrote:
Talk to strangers? Online? The young lady doesn't even have her Master's yet!
the "young lady" is French "living in the UK for the past 15 years. She is fluent in French and English. She has been doing freelance translation for the past 4 years".
The only possible explanation is that she is not a Proz member and can't access these forums.
| | | | P.L.F. Persio
Netherlands
Local time: 18:51
Member (2010)
English to Italian
+ ...
| Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy | Sep 7, 2021 |
Tom in London wrote:
The only possible explanation is that she is not a Proz member and can't access these forums.
Her husband isn't even a wannabe translator – his profile is new and completely empty – yet here he is. Signing up on here does not require herculean efforts, or a particularly "masculine" mindset.
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:51
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| Let her do her own work | Sep 7, 2021 |
So let her sign up and do her own work- if that really is what HE THINKS her work is.
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