Translation, Interpretation and Subtitling

1. Translation & Interpretation
A Global Career
By Masud Hasnain
mhasnain@clearedtranslators.com
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2. What is Translation?
Transferring written text from a
source language into the target
language while maintaining the author’s
intent
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3. What is Interpretation?
Interpretation is the transfer of
spoken speech from a source
language into a target language while
maintaining the speaker’s intent.
Interpreters must go in both directions,
so they have to speak both equally well.
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4. Basic Definitions:
From: Source Language
To: Target Language
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5. Language Pair is
Source Language + Target Language
Arabic/English
English/Arabic
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6. What gets translated?
• Business contracts
• Government documents
• Court/Legal documents
• Personal documents
• Literary works
• Software
• Film sub-titles
• Advertisements
• Medical records
ANYTHING IN TYPE!
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7. Types of Interpreting:
Consecutive
Simultaneous / Conference
Escort
Voice-Over
Transcription
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8. Where do Translators and
Interpreters Work?
As Free-lancers / Independent Contractors
In-house
• Business
• Hospitals
• Legal / Courts
• Government
• Literary
• Technology / Computers
• Government / U.N. / Consulates
• Escort
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9. How can I qualify to be a translator?
Knowledge of foreign language(s)
Education
Excellent writer
Attention to detail
Computer literate
Able to focus and follow through
Reliable & professional
Flexible
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10. To be a translator you must
Know the target language perfectly
Understand the source language very well
Be prepared to study and review grammar
regularly
Have access to appropriate dictionaries
Be a good proofreader or get someone
else
Read regularly in both your languages
Know the culture(s) of the people that
speak the languages that you work with
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11. How do I qualify to be an interpreter?
Have a pleasant voice
Ethical
Reliable & professional
Educated
Have patience
Flexible
Experienced
Accessible
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12. To be an interpreter you must...
Know both the source and target languages equally well
Must use the tone of the original speaker
Must convey the speakers’ exact messages
Have a great store of knowledge in your short or long-term
memory
Learn as many dialects and regional jargon as possible
within your languages
Keep your cool under pressure and tension
Establish trust with those you work for
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13. Some Interpretation Specialties
Schools
Court/Judiciary
Medical
Conferences
Escort or seminar (State Dept.)
Diplomatic/Embassies
Many more …
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14. Necessary Investments
Have a computer and Internet access
Software in both your languages
Learn to use Word
Membership in ATA and local translation
association
Have office space or space in a home office
Have business cards, résumé and brochure
Dictionaries & reference materials
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15. Translation Tools
http://www.google.com/translate
http://www.microsofttranslator.com/
http://www.freetranslation.com/
http://translation.imtranslator.net/
http://www.trados.com/
http://www.atril.com/
http://www.across.net
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16. Translation & Interpretation Organizations
NCATA: National Capital Area Translation Association www.ncata.org
ATA: American Translators Association www.atanet.org
NAJIT: National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators
www.najit.org
AIIC: International Association of Conference Interpreters www.aiic.net
National Center for State Courts www.ncsconline.org.
National Council on Interpreting in Health Care – NCIHC
www.ncihc.org
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17. Practice interpretation with a relative or a
friend
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18. Q&A
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