value of DipTrans (Iol, UK)
Thread poster: carlien van de Kreeke
carlien van de Kreeke
carlien van de Kreeke  Identity Verified
Belgium
Local time: 12:29
English to Dutch
Nov 20, 2010

hello,

Has anyone done the examination for DipTrans of the Institute of Linguists (UK) and how do your clients/doe sthe industry rate your diploma i.e. doe sit bring in more work?

Any answers are much appreciated since I keep doubting to do the exam or not; I have a M.A. already in English and Dutch Linguistics but find it very difficult to get any jobs through the internet.

Kind regards,
Carlien


 
Oleksandr Kupriyanchuk
Oleksandr Kupriyanchuk  Identity Verified
United States
Member (2009)
Russian to English
+ ...
DipTrans vs DeepTrance Nov 20, 2010

In terms of "bringing in more work," the value may be close to zero.

Another cool certificate would not necessarily and automatically mean more work, especially a diploma from this particular program. Especially in view of the fact that it was launched not long ago (in 1989).

You have a M.A. ”already in English,” haven't you? Why aren't you using your knowledge in your own name and writing?


 
Tim Drayton
Tim Drayton  Identity Verified
Cyprus
Local time: 13:29
Turkish to English
+ ...
High value in my experience Nov 20, 2010

I have the DipTrans in Turkish into English, and in my experience this has brought me a lot of quality work. However, I did not previously have any other paper qualifications to back up my skills in this pair; for somebody who already possesses certification it may not be necessary to get the DipTrans as well.

 
Paul Malone
Paul Malone  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 12:29
Member (2004)
French to English
+ ...
I think it is a worthwhile qualification Nov 20, 2010

I have two of them and I'm always surprised to hear about people who are unable to get enough translation work.

Even since the financial crisis started I have rarely been short of work. I should have been as I live in the Eurozone, which makes any colleagues based in the UK or US less expensive than me because of the exchange rate, but this has not resulted in a shortage of work in my experience.

Of course, it is impossible to say for certain that I have plenty of wor
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I have two of them and I'm always surprised to hear about people who are unable to get enough translation work.

Even since the financial crisis started I have rarely been short of work. I should have been as I live in the Eurozone, which makes any colleagues based in the UK or US less expensive than me because of the exchange rate, but this has not resulted in a shortage of work in my experience.

Of course, it is impossible to say for certain that I have plenty of work because I have the diplomas. However, I suspect they play an important role and I do believe that they are widely recognized within the industry.

Even though the Dip Trans is a relatively recent qualification, the Institute of Linguists itself has existed for a century!
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Elizabeth Faracini
Elizabeth Faracini  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 06:29
Member (2010)
Italian to English
+ ...
valuable Nov 20, 2010

Hi Carlien,

I just passed the DipTrans exam (IT>EN) in January of this year, and I think it has definitely been useful. I had already earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Italian, but I've found that many more agencies respond to me now that I have the DipTrans.

I think that a degree in languages is valuable, but the DipTrans gives an important boost to a translator's profile. It shows that not only do you know your languages well, but you can also translate well.
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Hi Carlien,

I just passed the DipTrans exam (IT>EN) in January of this year, and I think it has definitely been useful. I had already earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Italian, but I've found that many more agencies respond to me now that I have the DipTrans.

I think that a degree in languages is valuable, but the DipTrans gives an important boost to a translator's profile. It shows that not only do you know your languages well, but you can also translate well. It is a professional qualification, while a degree from a university is an academic qualification.

Overall, I would recommend it if you feel prepared for the exam, because I have had a positive experience since obtaining the diploma. Of course, this may vary based on language pair.

Good luck!

Liz
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Tomás Cano Binder, BA, CT
Tomás Cano Binder, BA, CT  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 12:29
Member (2005)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Definitely useful Nov 20, 2010

I would definitely go for it. I gave it a try this year and passed two of the units. Will do the exam for the pending one next January.

I must say that it is a very hard exam (at least in English>Spanish). I know of some very good translators who have had trouble passing the exam. And I also think customers (especially those in the translation market, like agencies for instance) quickly recognise the value and tranquility of a translator who has the DipTrans.


 
Nuri Razi
Nuri Razi  Identity Verified
Türkiye
Local time: 13:29
Member (2008)
English to Turkish
+ ...
Diptrans in English to Turkish? May 5, 2012

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for your opinion on whether the Diptrans brings benefit to the translator's business. But does anyone know whether the Institute gives certification in English to Turkish pair? Thanks indeed.


 
Ty Kendall
Ty Kendall  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:29
Hebrew to English
The Official Line May 5, 2012

"Languages

The DipTrans can be taken in a range of language combinations including English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.


Other language combinations may be offered depending on demand. Please note that if the Institute is unable to locate adequately qualified examiners to carry out the examination in certain languages, it reserves the right to withdraw the examination. In such cases candidates' fees will be refunded but the Institute will not be liable f
... See more
"Languages

The DipTrans can be taken in a range of language combinations including English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.


Other language combinations may be offered depending on demand. Please note that if the Institute is unable to locate adequately qualified examiners to carry out the examination in certain languages, it reserves the right to withdraw the examination. In such cases candidates' fees will be refunded but the Institute will not be liable for any additional expenditure candidates may have incurred."

....which seems a bit ambiguous, I'd also like to hear from people who have taken this exam in the non-main language pairs.
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Emma Goldsmith
Emma Goldsmith  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 12:29
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
Minor languages May 6, 2012

The IoL issues an "EXAMINERS’ REPORTS ON CANDIDATE PERFORMANCE FOR SMALL ENTRY LANGUAGES":
http://www.iol.org.uk/qualifications/DipTrans/ExaminersReport2007.pdf
Unfortunately, it's 5 years old and I expect more languages have been added since then, depending on demand.
It still makes very interesting reading for anyone who is thinking of taking th
... See more
The IoL issues an "EXAMINERS’ REPORTS ON CANDIDATE PERFORMANCE FOR SMALL ENTRY LANGUAGES":
http://www.iol.org.uk/qualifications/DipTrans/ExaminersReport2007.pdf
Unfortunately, it's 5 years old and I expect more languages have been added since then, depending on demand.
It still makes very interesting reading for anyone who is thinking of taking this exam. The pass rates detailed at the end of each section are a bit misleading because a 100%, 50% or 33% pass rate clearly reflects the fact that only 1, 2 or 3 people took that particular exam.
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Haluk Levent Aka (X)
Haluk Levent Aka (X)
Local time: 13:29
Japanese to Turkish
+ ...
Yes, they do... Jul 19, 2012

Nuri Razi wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for your opinion on whether the Diptrans brings benefit to the translator's business. But does anyone know whether the Institute gives certification in English to Turkish pair? Thanks indeed.



Yep, I have one myself


 
BeaDeer (X)
BeaDeer (X)  Identity Verified
English to Slovenian
+ ...
professional qualification Jul 19, 2012



I think that a degree in languages is valuable, but the DipTrans gives an important boost to a translator's profile. It shows that not only do you know your languages well, but you can also translate well. It is a professional qualification, while a degree from a university is an academic qualification.



I agree.


 


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value of DipTrans (Iol, UK)






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