| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | Poll: Is it necessary to have formal translation training to be a good translator? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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I've been doing translations for a living for 15 years, internally for a major mobility products japanese maker, dealing with every subject, from owner manuals, to computer-based publications, to marketing, to legal matters, you name it!!!
| | | | Adam Łobatiuk 
Poland
Local time: 10:01
Member (2009)
English to Polish
+ ...
| Translation usually requires knowledge from multiple fields | May 12, 2009 |
For example, who is 'qualified' to localize software for an insurance company? A person trained in insurance, software engineering, both languages, CAT tools and translation? Such people would be hard to find. So - unless you've actually graduated in translation/lingustics and another field which you limit yourself to - you usually have to learn the other skills and knowledge as you go.
| | | | David Earl
United States
Local time: 02:01
German to English
| No, I don't think it's required | May 12, 2009 |
Like others have, knowledge of the material you're translating is more important. Skills as a researcher are helpful, but, frankly, I think its a matter of knowing how to write for the target culture.
To my way of thinking, certification is a mixed bag. It can certainly help calm the nervous customer, but it can also lead to over-confidence. "They're a certified (doctor/translator/CPA/mechanic/IT guru); just toss it at them and they'll figure it out."
Also, I think that... See more Like others have, knowledge of the material you're translating is more important. Skills as a researcher are helpful, but, frankly, I think its a matter of knowing how to write for the target culture.
To my way of thinking, certification is a mixed bag. It can certainly help calm the nervous customer, but it can also lead to over-confidence. "They're a certified (doctor/translator/CPA/mechanic/IT guru); just toss it at them and they'll figure it out."
Also, I think that allowing a skilled, non-certified element in the market to exist keeps everyone on our toes. If the threat doesn't exist, companies and people become complacent. ▲ Collapse
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It´s been interesting to read the previous opinions!
Even though I don´t think "formal" (as in College/University) translation training is mandatory, I do favor "translation training" by all means.
In my own experience, my translation ability improved drastically when I started taking translation courses, even in a non-formal environment (and this was after working in the translation field for 10 years).
I think the word "formal" is not what matters, but ... See more It´s been interesting to read the previous opinions!
Even though I don´t think "formal" (as in College/University) translation training is mandatory, I do favor "translation training" by all means.
In my own experience, my translation ability improved drastically when I started taking translation courses, even in a non-formal environment (and this was after working in the translation field for 10 years).
I think the word "formal" is not what matters, but "translation training" is what every translator, even those who already have formal translation education, should aim for.
Now, my very personal desire, and one I look forward to accomplish soon, is to get "formal" translation education... I´m quite sure the investment will be worth!! : )
Have a nice day,
Elena ▲ Collapse
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Blerta Alikaj
United States
Local time: 04:01
English to Albanian
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I think a formal translation/training education is very important as like any education, it gives us the tools necessary for the trade.
The same is with medicine. Some doctors are better than others, a few even have a talent for it, but I would never go to one who did not undergo formal training and had no license to prove it.
One can become a good translator without formal training if the circumstances allow them to "train and grow on the job" so to speak. But I'd rather go throug... See more I think a formal translation/training education is very important as like any education, it gives us the tools necessary for the trade.
The same is with medicine. Some doctors are better than others, a few even have a talent for it, but I would never go to one who did not undergo formal training and had no license to prove it.
One can become a good translator without formal training if the circumstances allow them to "train and grow on the job" so to speak. But I'd rather go through training and get in two months what otherwise would take me years to discover.
Furthermore, certificates are very helpful and they bring business. Why not have them whenever possible? ▲ Collapse
| | | | alvish
Local time: 04:01
English to Russian
+ ...
| Not at all ! | May 12, 2009 |
As in any profession, people, who have completed their formal training would defend it and say that it is necessary. Even more, quite often formal/informal organizations created to restrict those who have no formal training from being accepted in an industry. Those are translation, financial advise, real estate etc. etc.
I would not compare it with boarding a plane with a pilot without training. That is safety issue. But what we are talking here about is more of an art. Actually, best tra... See more As in any profession, people, who have completed their formal training would defend it and say that it is necessary. Even more, quite often formal/informal organizations created to restrict those who have no formal training from being accepted in an industry. Those are translation, financial advise, real estate etc. etc.
I would not compare it with boarding a plane with a pilot without training. That is safety issue. But what we are talking here about is more of an art. Actually, best translators in history have never had their formal training done. Most of them were writers and poets, not professional linguists.
As to the quality of translation in particular field, I would prefer to give my trust to a specialist in that field, who has practical experience in both languages.
Unfortunately, I have edited some translations done in the field of engineering by professional translators without specific knowledge in that field. Still LOL.
Do not be offended, dear professional translators. I respect your training and skills. Never say it is not useful, though...
you have to explain, why the reputable companies pay me up to $.20 / word, if I do not have that formal training? They may hire cheaper professional these days...
[Edited at 2009-05-12 17:49 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Igor Galiouk (X)
Local time: 12:01
English to Russian
Williamson wrote:
Would you board an airplane if you knew the pilots did not have a formal flying training. Would you have yourself treated by an M.D. without the proper medical training.
In the case of translation: it helps. Most of those who say "no" have 1 language combination and never had to assimilate from 0 all the intricacies of a language.
Those who had such training had to choose 2 foreign languages (from 0 to a translatable level) and a target-language, which in most cases is their native language.
With interpreting it is another ballgame : no training, no conference-interpreting
ABSOLUTELY right!!!
| | | | | Not necessary but definitely useful | May 12, 2009 |
When we're talking about a "formal translation training" this training should not only include language and CAT tool skills as mentioned by some colleagues in this poll but also intercultural communication, literature, social sciences, etc. - or at least that's what I was taught at my university in Germany. The training should give you the language/cultural/technical awareness necessary to be good at your job, although I also agree that some translation graduates do not apply these skills and ar... See more When we're talking about a "formal translation training" this training should not only include language and CAT tool skills as mentioned by some colleagues in this poll but also intercultural communication, literature, social sciences, etc. - or at least that's what I was taught at my university in Germany. The training should give you the language/cultural/technical awareness necessary to be good at your job, although I also agree that some translation graduates do not apply these skills and are certainly worse translators than those without a professional training. ▲ Collapse
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Williamson
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:01
Flemish to English
+ ...
| Both ways translator.. | May 12, 2009 |
alvish wrote:
you have to explain, why the reputable companies pay me up to $.20 / word, if I do not have that formal training? They may hire cheaper professional these days...
[Edited at 2009-05-12 17:49 GMT]
That is not to difficult. You are the typical example of the technically skilled translator with one language combination, who became a translator by living in 2 countries and by being/having been active in a particular sector. What you translate will be the same terminology time and again. You understand the subject. If I don't understand it, I have a long list of graduates/friends/professors, specialists in the particular domain, who will explain what is meant.
However, I wonder how well you do with a sentence of 20 lines without interpunction and a lot of subordinate clauses. I don't know about Russian, but I can quote some Spanish and French authors who are specialists writing such texts.
Those with a training "waste their time" during their "useless education" analysing structure and meaning of such sentences. Without it, you can give a try, but chances are that you get lost.
I have known people with 0-knowledge of Russian, who after 4 years in such "useless training" were able to interpret lengthy monotonous speeches of visting members of the then Communist Party of the USSR.
[Bijgewerkt op 2009-05-12 18:02 GMT]
| | | | | Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Removed at the poster's request | | Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Removed at the poster's request | | not necessarily | May 12, 2009 |
I don't know that it's necessary to have a degree in translation. I have a degree in English and in Journalism, and I can see that my background in writing is an asset. I also grew up in a bilingual society. I can see that my background in writing and journalism has been an asset for my translation. I have seen translations done by people who DO have degrees and more experience, and sometimes they are kind of stilted and sound 'translated' I have a lot of knowledge of different specialty areas ... See more I don't know that it's necessary to have a degree in translation. I have a degree in English and in Journalism, and I can see that my background in writing is an asset. I also grew up in a bilingual society. I can see that my background in writing and journalism has been an asset for my translation. I have seen translations done by people who DO have degrees and more experience, and sometimes they are kind of stilted and sound 'translated' I have a lot of knowledge of different specialty areas that I accumulated during my years as a journalist and that has helped as well.
SO far I have done very well without the translation degree, but I admit I have considered it, for the credentials and it could always add something. For instance, I am limited because I doubt I could do literary translations, even with a degree in english and tons of reading behind me, because I know it takes a certain skill that I don't have, and that no one will hire a literary translator who does not have a degree!
And of course, I can't charge the same rates as someone who has a degree. But in general, I don't think it's ABSOLUTELY necessary. But it would probably be recommended for someone in literary translation or a very specific or technical specialty.
[Edited at 2009-05-12 23:19 GMT]
[Edited at 2009-05-13 02:39 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Steven Capsuto
United States
Local time: 04:01
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
+ ...
I know many fine translators who never studied it formally, and I've met some appalling translators with MAs in the field. There's no clear correlation in my mind between quality of work and formal translation studies.
Most of those who say "no" have 1 language combination
I, for one, work regularly in five language pairs.
[Edited at 2009-05-13 00:17 GMT]
| | | | David Russi
United States
Local time: 02:01
English to Spanish
+ ...
| I suspect formal translation degrees are a fairly recent development | May 13, 2009 |
How many good translators have existed throughout history, never having obtained a degree? Millions? Could they all possibly have been "bad"?
A degree in translation can't hurt, but it is no protection against being a lousy translator, and the lack of one does not in any way mean one cannot be an excellent translator.
| | | | | There are more important things than formal training | May 13, 2009 |
(Been in this business 20+ years and outsourcing for 15+. Receive several "applications" every day. Have zilch formal training myself.)
We prefer to see a sanoke, sorry sample, of candidates' work (or thought processes here in kudoz) before deciding whether to consider availing of their services. Formal qualifications don't really enter our equation.
There are, well, quite a few substandard translators about with impressive formal lingo qualifications. Some of them hang out he... See more (Been in this business 20+ years and outsourcing for 15+. Receive several "applications" every day. Have zilch formal training myself.)
We prefer to see a sanoke, sorry sample, of candidates' work (or thought processes here in kudoz) before deciding whether to consider availing of their services. Formal qualifications don't really enter our equation.
There are, well, quite a few substandard translators about with impressive formal lingo qualifications. Some of them hang out here. And there are also quite a few excellent ones without. Some of them hang out here, too.
BarbaraFreitas wrote:
I believe a translator is as good as he is humble and able to question his/her own knowledge, question quality, look further and improve all the time.
Its when you stagnate and you think you know it all that you loose the plot.
Well said!
Cilian ▲ Collapse
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