| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Certification is becoming essential Thread poster: Amr Anany
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Amr Anany 
Egypt
Local time: 14:48
English to Arabic
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Hello Colleagues
Recently, the issue of certification for any translator/interpreter is becoming critical. Today, I am in confusion as there are many associations and entities offering certification. To the best of my knowledge, there are so far 3 associations giving certification:
1- American Translators Association, USA
2- Certified professional Program, USA, Online.
3- Austrian Standards Institution offering ICT:EN15038
my question is: based on your experience,... See more Hello Colleagues
Recently, the issue of certification for any translator/interpreter is becoming critical. Today, I am in confusion as there are many associations and entities offering certification. To the best of my knowledge, there are so far 3 associations giving certification:
1- American Translators Association, USA
2- Certified professional Program, USA, Online.
3- Austrian Standards Institution offering ICT:EN15038
my question is: based on your experience, which of these would be the best for an Arabic translator? ▲ Collapse
| | | | | "Certified Translation Professional"? | Jul 24, 2011 |
amrenany66 wrote:
2- Certified professional Program, USA, Online.
I just want to warn you about this. If you meant to say the "Certified Translation Professional" by some company called "Global Translation Institute" or similar, you must be warned that by no means is this a certification by a professional or official body. They are just a marketing training company who started offering this "certification" to anyone and gives out a piece of paper in exchange for some of your money. Check the following fora:
- http://www.proz.com/forum/translator_resources/151340-has_anyone_heard_of_ctpcertified_translation_professional_program_by_global_translation_institute.html
- http://www.proz.com/forum/internet_for_translators/137117-has_anyone_heard_of_this_school_institute_global_translation_institute_ctp_program.html
- http://www.proz.com/forum/professional_development/190681-would_anyone_recommend_cpt_certification.html
So if you referred to that "certification", your best bet is not to waste your money in it. Yes, they will do an "exam" with you, will send you some materials, and they will send you a "diploma"... but nobody recognises a certification you purchase this way.
As for certification programmes that are widely recognised in our profession, I would definitely go for the ATA certification (www.atanet.org) and the Diploma in Translation by the Chartered Institute of Linguists (www.iol.org.uk). You also have the Australian certification, which is not that recognised in Europe or the US but is also well known and gives a good indication of a translator's abilities (www.naati.com.au).
| | | | Amr Anany
Egypt
Local time: 14:48
English to Arabic
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TOPIC STARTER | Certification is becoming essential | Jul 24, 2011 |
Thank you for your reply
So, what do you think of option 3 (i.e., Austrian Standards Institution offering ICT:EN15038) ?
is that fishy also?
| | | | | I have three in mind | Jul 24, 2011 |
Like Tomás mentioned, avoid that "CTP" institution, I am ashamed how I even printed their ebook and considered their certification, however, as most Proz members that have discussed that "company", I also found strange as their marketing was so weak - basicly, two companies (made by the same person) supporting each other, they happen to give some material, but no official body recognizes them, and it makes sense they don't.
For the time being I am waiting in order to apply for the ... See more Like Tomás mentioned, avoid that "CTP" institution, I am ashamed how I even printed their ebook and considered their certification, however, as most Proz members that have discussed that "company", I also found strange as their marketing was so weak - basicly, two companies (made by the same person) supporting each other, they happen to give some material, but no official body recognizes them, and it makes sense they don't.
For the time being I am waiting in order to apply for the three certifications I have in mind, first I have to finish my Bachelor Degree, or reach my 5th year as a freelancer in order to apply to ATA - which I find to be the most popular certification, and therefore my recomendation. After that, I would do DipTrans since I actually like the British Council and that diploma seems to be very reputable.
As a third place, I would suggest a "local" certification, if you believe it is worthy. For example, I am looking to move to Toronto with my girlfriend as soon as I finish my degree, and am already starting contacts with the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (not sure about the name).
Considering you are an Arabic translator, probably I would recommend you the ATA anyways. But an Arabic translator may give you a better recommendation.
Best of lucks. ▲ Collapse
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Liviu-Lee Roth
United States
Local time: 07:48
Romanian to English
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| Marina Steinbach
United States
Local time: 07:48
Member (2011)
English to German
| Is this really so? | Jul 24, 2011 |
I have also thought about joining the "American Translators Association". For me however, this topic brings up one question after another:
1. What will I receive for my 240 $ annual fee?
2. What would it cost me in total to get the ATA certification? The next place, where I could take the exam, is Irving, Texas. This means additional traveling expenses on top of the 300 $ fee for the exam.
3. Will I get more clients, once I'm certified?
4. Does it pay off to becom... See more I have also thought about joining the "American Translators Association". For me however, this topic brings up one question after another:
1. What will I receive for my 240 $ annual fee?
2. What would it cost me in total to get the ATA certification? The next place, where I could take the exam, is Irving, Texas. This means additional traveling expenses on top of the 300 $ fee for the exam.
3. Will I get more clients, once I'm certified?
4. Does it pay off to become certified?
Not that I'm stingy, you know… ▲ Collapse
| | | | Parrot
Spain
Local time: 13:48
Spanish to English
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| Welcome, amrenany 66 | Jul 24, 2011 |
As far as I know, of the three options you cited, only ATA gives examination for individual translators to be certified in their language pairs. But not to forget, there is also the option of the ITI examination.
Where EN 15038 is mentioned, the usual procedure is an audit, and the usual service provider audited is a company or a group. This is because the requirements for EN 15038 involve procedures of independent revision and other types of processing that would require more than ... See more As far as I know, of the three options you cited, only ATA gives examination for individual translators to be certified in their language pairs. But not to forget, there is also the option of the ITI examination.
Where EN 15038 is mentioned, the usual procedure is an audit, and the usual service provider audited is a company or a group. This is because the requirements for EN 15038 involve procedures of independent revision and other types of processing that would require more than one person. Translators collaborating with EN 15038-compliant companies only have to meet any one of three requirements, to wit:
- Advanced translation studies (recognised qualification)
- Equivalent qualification in another specialisation plus a mininum of two years documented experience in translation
- At least five years of documented professional experience in translation.
Check it out at: http://qualitystandard.bs.en-15038.com/
Best of luck! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | ATA benefits | Jul 24, 2011 |
Marina Steinbach wrote:
I have also thought about joining the "American Translators Association". For me however, this topic brings up one question after another:
1. What will I receive for my 240 $ annual fee?
2. What would it cost me in total to get the ATA certification? The next place, where I could take the exam, is Irving, Texas. This means additional traveling expenses on top of the 300 $ fee for the exam.
3. Will I get more clients, once I'm certified?
4. Does it pay off to become certified?
Not that I'm stingy, you know…
Dear Marina:
I have been certified by ATA for more than 8 years. I make a comfortable living as a translator. 90+% of my clients contacted me for the first time through an e-mail that said: "We found your info on the ATA website." ATA annual fees represent much less than 0.5% of the income I annually receive from clients who initially contacted me from my info at the ATA website. Your call.
Greetings,
Luis
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jyuan_us
United States
Local time: 07:48
Member (2005)
English to Chinese
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| What is the ground for the statement of "Certification is becoming essential"? | Jul 24, 2011 |
Certification is rarely required in the job announcements.
Holding a certification might scare away some potential clients because they tend to think you are more expensive.
| | | | Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 12:48
| No-one has mentioned FIT | Jul 24, 2011 |
http://fit-ift.org.dedi303.nur4.host-h.net/index.php?frontend_action=display_compound_text_content&item_id=980
An excerpt from the "About Us" page:
FIT (the Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs/International Federation of Translators) is an international grouping of associations of translators,... See more http://fit-ift.org.dedi303.nur4.host-h.net/index.php?frontend_action=display_compound_text_content&item_id=980
An excerpt from the "About Us" page:
FIT (the Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs/International Federation of Translators) is an international grouping of associations of translators, interpreters and terminologists. More than 100 professional associations are affiliated, representing over 80 000 translators in 55 countries. The goal of the Federation is to promote professionalism in the disciplines it represents. It seeks constantly to improve conditions for the profession in all countries and to uphold translators' rights and freedom of expression.
You may find an affiliated association close to you geographically, who offer accreditation in your language pairs. See the Members tab on the Home page.
Good luck! ▲ Collapse
| | | | sokolniki
United States
Local time: 06:48
English to Russian
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| I am stingy, too | Jul 24, 2011 |
Marina Steinbach wrote:
I have also thought about joining the "American Translators Association". For me however, this topic brings up one question after another:
1. What will I receive for my 240 $ annual fee?
2. What would it cost me in total to get the ATA certification? The next place, where I could take the exam, is Irving, Texas. This means additional traveling expenses on top of the 300 $ fee for the exam.
3. Will I get more clients, once I'm certified?
4. Does it pay off to become certified?
Not that I'm stingy, you know…
1. For the annual fee you will receive the biggest advantage: being listed in their directory. Out of non-essential advantages: monthly (not sure) ATA publication - mostly aimed for your waste-paper basket.
2. The total cost: that will be a lot - membership fee+non-refundable registration fee+non-refundable test fee+test result ONLY for an extra fee. Did I tell you only about 50% pass the exam? This is not the end. Every year you have to attend some totally useless local training courses/seminars (at your own expense, naturally), to obtain a specific number of grades/scores/whatever they call it, to support your certification, otherwise you lose it.
3. I am not sure you will get more clients if you get certified. It might be different however with different language pairs.
4. Not sure, again.
As you see, I have quite a critical opition of the ATA certification. In my 9 years in the USA I probably had 1% of clients requiring the above, but lots of them found my name in the ATA directory. The bottom line: membership - yes, certification - think twice.
BTW, if you are planning to get certification as a court interpreter, this is totally different, except it's going to cost a lot of money, again, and the language pairs are even more limited (also depending on the state you live in).
If the pressure to get certified comes from an agency/potential direct client, discuss sharing/covering the costs.
Good luck!
| | | | | ATA benefits, maybe | Jul 25, 2011 |
sokolniki wrote:
1. For the annual fee you will receive the biggest advantage: being listed in their directory. Out of non-essential advantages: monthly (not sure) ATA publication - mostly aimed for your waste-paper basket.
2. The total cost: that will be a lot - membership fee+non-refundable registration fee+non-refundable test fee+test result ONLY for an extra fee. Did I tell you only about 50% pass the exam? This is not the end. Every year you have to attend some totally useless local training courses/seminars (at your own expense, naturally), to obtain a specific number of grades/scores/whatever they call it, to support your certification, otherwise you lose it.
3. I am not sure you will get more clients if you get certified. It might be different however with different language pairs.
4. Not sure, again.
As you see, I have quite a critical opition of the ATA certification. In my 9 years in the USA I probably had 1% of clients requiring the above, but lots of them found my name in the ATA directory. The bottom line: membership - yes, certification - think twice.
BTW, if you are planning to get certification as a court interpreter, this is totally different, except it's going to cost a lot of money, again, and the language pairs are even more limited (also depending on the state you live in).
If the pressure to get certified comes from an agency/potential direct client, discuss sharing/covering the costs.
Good luck!
Dear Sokolniki,
Greetings from Houston.
I have yet to see in this or any other forum, any translator certified by ATA, saying that it was a bad idea taking the exam, much less anyone saying that he or she passed the certification exam but is not going to keep his or her certification based on the costs of the continuing education requirements. I must admit, though, that I do not have those requeriments because I am old enough to be considered "untrainable".
I also recognize that everything might depend on your pairs.
I am inviting those who are certified by ATA to state whether they consider it was a waste of time or money.
Best,
Luis
[Edited at 2011-07-25 00:26 GMT]
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| ATA annual fee is not $240 | Jul 25, 2011 |
Marina Steinbach wrote:
I have also thought about joining the "American Translators Association". For me however, this topic brings up one question after another:
1. What will I receive for my 240 $ annual fee?
Marina, I think the $240 fee they are listing currently is not for a year, but for the remaining of this year and for the entire year of 2012. So that is about a 1.5 year's worth of membership fee.
The normal annual fee is $160 - at least that was the price of my last renewal.
Katalin
| | | | Laurent KRAULAND (X)
France
Local time: 13:48
French to German
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| Certification: really essential and critical? | Jul 25, 2011 |
amrenany66 wrote:
Hello Colleagues
Recently, the issue of certification for any translator/interpreter is becoming critical. (.../...)
As per the already mentioned European standard EN 15038, 5 years of documented professional experience are sufficient.
Nothing against additional certifications though - as long as they help you selling yourself to interesting clients.
[Edited at 2011-07-25 05:46 GMT]
| | | | | My two cents | Jul 25, 2011 |
Marina Steinbach wrote:
1. What will I receive for my 240 $ annual fee?
2. What would it cost me in total to get the ATA certification? The next place, where I could take the exam, is Irving, Texas. This means additional traveling expenses on top of the 300 $ fee for the exam.
3. Will I get more clients, once I'm certified?
4. Does it pay off to become certified?
1. Indeed the fee has gone up a bit since I joined. Probably a bit too high. Having said that, the annual fee is about 0.5% of my income as a translator. I receive The Chronicle, which has been very useful and interesting to read since I joined ATA, had access to the certification exam, have the opportunity to participate in numerous events (which is difficult for me because of my location here in Europe) and being a member helps me convey the fact that I am a professional translator.
2. As for the venue, you have numerous venues every year. You may want to wait until a venue takes place at a location near your home. I feel that it is really critical that the exam takes place in a physical location, and not online. I think this question is a bit rethorical, but in my case a quick calculation is that it cost me some US$ 1,300 to get certified, since I had to fly from Spain and spend two nights at a hotel in Michigan. Having said that, I think this is money very well invested. The ATA-certification is an indication to my prospects of the quality they can expect. It has saved me lots of time in translation tests I don't need to do now.
3. I got certified in 2008 after 12 years as an independent professional. Since that moment I receive very many inquiries from people who have found me in the ATA directory. They are usually people who recognise the value of a certified professional and are ready to negotiate the rate based on my rate and not theirs.
4. Everybody in our profession knows the ATA and is aware that getting the ATA-certification is tricky (pass rate under 20%), so the certification has a reasonably high face value. It can only be good for your profession as a whole.
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