How do I become a translator?

Things to know if you want to become a translator...

1.      A detailed knowledge of your subject matter is equally as important as academic knowledge of the language pairs, in certain cases (technical manuals for example) it plays a greater role.

-     An ability to write well is also important.

-     Proofreading and editing is a good way to break into the industry and the skills gained will help you later on.

2.      Although a degree may not be absolutely necessary, a qualification in translation is important for the following reasons:

-     it teaches you formal techniques and methodology which will add integrity to your work.

-     It will give you tutoring and feedback on your performance.

-     It will help to give you credibility when starting out as a freelance translator.

-     It will give you confidence in the quality of your work.

3.      Practice the language!  Read newspapers in that language and keep abreast of the culture, listen to music and news from that country if able to (if not, try to get your hands on cultural material by contacting someone in that country).  Travel to the country as often as you are able to.

4.      No course of study will ever be 100% perfect.  Only you can judge whether it is the right one to meet your needs.

-     Apart from the Ivy League schools, most US University courses will provide practice, extended vocabulary and give you confidence in your language.

-     UK degree courses are much more focused on the chosen language and culture.  That doesn't mean they are necessarily better for fulfilling your own requirements.

5.      Those basic qualifications will help you get started but after that it's your experience on the job and your performance as a translator that counts. Practice your translations when you don't have any work, it will help keep you sharper for when work comes in.

6.      There are more opportunities for freelance translators than In-House.

7.      Attend local translation events and seminars. It will not only help you learn more about different subjects, it will also help you make contacts in the translation and interpreting field.

Getting involved in your local translators association is another way to make more contacts.

How do I become a court interpreter?

Reprinted in part from the University of Arizona Interpreter Page (http://nci.arizona.edu)

1.      What is a court interpreter?

A court interpreter is anyone who interprets in a civil or criminal court proceeding (e.g., arraignment, motion, pretrial conference, preliminary hearing, deposition, trial) for a witness or defendant who speaks or understands little or no English.  Court interpreters must accurately interpret for individuals with a high level of education and an expansive vocabulary, as well as persons with very limited language skills without changing the language register of the speaker.

2.      Is certification required for court interpreters?

Yes.  Candidates are tested on their knowledge of general vocabulary, reading comprehension, protocol, and ethics in the written portion of the exam.  Those who pass the written component go on to take the oral component, which tests their skills in simultaneous and consecutive interpretation and sight translation.

3.      Is special training required to become a court interpreter?

Yes.  Court interpreting is a very demanding job that requires complete fluency in both English and the foreign language.  The level of expertise required for this profession is far greater than that required for everyday bilingual conversation.  The interpreter must be able to deal with the specialized language of judges and attorneys, as well as with the street slang of witnesses and the technical jargon of criminalists, police officers, and expert witnesses.  Most people do not have full command of all registers of both English and the foreign language and, therefore, require special training to acquire it.  Although there are no minimum requirements that must be met in order to apply to take the state certification test, applicants are encouraged to complete formal, college-level course work and training in both languages and modes of interpreting before applying for the examination.  The following self-study techniques are suggested: (1) expand your vocabulary, (2) develop your own glossaries, and (3) develop interpreting techniques.

4. What kinds of skills does it take to be a good court interpreter?

In addition to total fluency in both English and the foreign language, a court interpreter should have excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills.  Sometimes the testimony to be interpreted is shocking or traumatic, and the interpreter must be able to deal with such matters without becoming emotionally involved.  The interpreter must also be able to refrain from expressing personal opinions or acting as an advocate for one side or the other in a court case, and must be able to work unobtrusively.  The interpreter must be able to work well under pressure and react quickly to solve complex linguistic and ethical problems as they arise.  On the other hand, when a problem cannot be solved by the interpreter alone, the interpreter must demonstrate the good judgment required to inform the court of that fact and take whatever steps are necessary to resolve the situation.  And finally, good court interpreters constantly strive to improve their skills by reading from a wide variety of sources, attending conferences, researching new terms and concepts, and honing their interpreting techniques.

4.      What is the job market like for court interpreters?

There is a great demand for certified court interpreters in areas with large immigrant populations.  Most court interpreters work as freelance or per-diem interpreters, meaning that they are hired by the day or the half day, rather than being permanent employees of the trial courts.  Some trial courts, however, have permanent positions for court interpreters.  A freelance interpreter must be willing to travel from one trial court to another, perhaps even from one county trial court system to another, to be assured of full-time work.  Interpreters of languages for which there is no state certifying examination are called "registered interpreters of non-designated languages."  Non-designated languages are languages for which there are no state certifying examinations.  Registered interpreters must meet the requirements developed for court interpreters as well as pass an English proficiency exam that tests their knowledge of English, court procedure, and professional ethics.

口譯工作成功的條件──

1.     精通語言就不用說了，但是精通文化也是絕對必要，更重要的是推理分析的能力，以便去蕪存菁。另外…..

2.     會前變腦：要先自修演講主題，成為半個專家，準備相關辭彙，盡量閱讀資料，理解前因後果。拿到講稿時先粗略看一遍，然後再仔細看。

3.     積極替人擦屁股：講者發言的素質會影響傳譯的表現，如果講者思路不夠清晰，譯者往往要做很多整理補救的工夫。更何況，一般語言操作都牽涉到大量的重複、補充、修改、深化、精簡等等，譯者沒有抽絲剝繭整理的工夫是不行的。

4.     腎上腺分泌良好：工作時精神高度集中，聽覺、視線、聲音都要在絕佳狀態，控制自己不分心、不知飽餓，排除一切外來干擾因素。