This document provides an overview of translation and interpretation as a global career. It defines translation as transferring written text between languages while maintaining the author's intent, and interpretation as the transfer of spoken speech between languages while maintaining the speaker's intent. The document outlines the basic qualifications, skills, tools, and organizations involved in translation and interpretation work. It also describes some common translation and interpretation specialties and settings.

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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