Training/Certification/Degrees for Translators

KarenMontaldi

Hello everyone!

Now here's something I'm constantly wondering about: translators are known to have all kinds of backgrounds, which makes us specialists in one area or another. However, there's still a lot of back and forth as far as translation specific certifications and degrees.

We know that getting ATA certified can significantly increase your chances of getting translation projects, and it is relatively cheap compared to university degrees. But is it enough? How far can you get into your translation career without having a "proper" university degree specific for translation? Is it even necessary to have translation specific certifications or degrees?

Personally, I'm planning on pursuing a master's in translation next year from UIC because I would like to say that I'm a "master" in my craft. But besides the personal achievement, do I really need it? What are your thoughts?

Dmitry

eleonorang I think that several years of field experience are enough to substitute a specific university degree, because we see every day great translators at work who didn't receive the "classical" education and yet do great quality work

That's a very good example @eleonorang! Degree or not - experience is what matters the most, imho. Of course, degree helps you build a foundation, but it takes practice to erect walls upon that foundation and put a roof above it.

Personally, I think master's degree can only do you good as long as you are a good student who takes things seriously and puts extra effort into learning. It's also a great launchpad for your career because it introduces you to the profession and helps you start developing your translation skills.

KarenMontaldi How far can you get into your translation career without having a "proper" university degree specific for translation?

It's a tough question because I have Master's Degree, but I know a lot of people who achieved great success without any degrees. I guess, it all depends on the person and their ambition and aspirations.

eleonorang

@KarenMontaldi The matter is definitely controversial! I don't know if you've seen it, a TOM member recently published an article where he discusses whether an academic background really makes a translator or not.

I think that several years of field experience are enough to substitute a specific university degree, because we see every day great translators at work who didn't receive the "classical" education and yet do great quality work. The problem here is defining several and classical ? What is the typical background of a translator and how many years does it take before you can be considered an expert, if not an SME?
Because there is so little regulation in the translation market, boundaries are often fuzzy.

Anyway, what I have observed is a tendency to request translation degrees more and more. This doesn't imply you'll get more work or more clients after you've taken that master, but it's definitely added value!

KarenMontaldi

Dmitry That's a very good example @eleonorang! Degree or not - experience is what matters the most, imho. Of course, degree helps you build a foundation, but it takes practice to erect walls upon that foundation and put a roof above it.

I agree! I think actual experience will always be a little more valuable in the long run, but I also agree when Dmitry says that a degree helps you build a foundation.

I think I'm a good example of that, actually. I've been working for a little over 5 years in the translation industry, and only now am thinking of pursuing a degree in it. But I still have so much to learn, and I always go back and forth on whether I should bite the bullet with the costs of an M.A. in the U.S., or simply take courses offered by other seasoned translators, without earning a degree or certificate that I can show for it. What do you guys think?

Then I also wonder, should I go for an M.A. in Translation, or an M.A. in Linguistics? Which would benefit me more?

So many questions!

Dmitry

KarenMontaldi I always go back and forth on whether I should bite the bullet with the costs of an M.A. in the U.S., or simply take courses offered by other seasoned translators, without earning a degree or certificate that I can show for it. What do you guys think?

Personally, I'd advise you to bite the bullet and get a M.A. at least that way, you'll be getting high-quality education from certified professionals. And then you can take a business/marketing/sales course from a trusted colleague (or you can bite another bullet and get a second degree ?)

You just have to make sure that there will be a lot of focus on the practice in the curriculum.

KarenMontaldi should I go for an M.A. in Translation, or an M.A. in Linguistics? Which would benefit me more?

I think M.A. in Translation is more beneficial as long it has a strong emphasis on practical part. When I was studying we translated literature, legal texts, mechanical texts, medical texts, etc. This really helped me get a better understanding where I want to be in the market and what kind of work I'd rather do (hint: I want to be as far from technical translation as possible) ?

jbeagley

I would highly recommend a degree in translation. It has been a huge asset for me, and my degree gave me a number of opportunities to get experience in the profession. Not only did I study theory and get feedback on translations from tutors, but I developed technical glossaries for an NGO and worked as an in-house translator for a week. And that was just one of my many internships. Like Dmitry, I got to translate texts from a variety of fields, which gave me a good idea of what fields I could handle, what I liked, where I needed to do more research, etc. I decided I actually kind of liked technical texts, though. ?

If you have the opportunity to do a degree, do it!

ChristineClay

Another good option is a certificate program. Back in 2013, I worked as a freelance translator for several months - just enough to get my feet wet - then took a job at a big tech company. It turned out that corporate life was just not for me, and, after about a year and a half, I knew I wanted to go back to working for myself. But I also knew from my earlier experience that I could really use some guidance. That's why I did a Certificate in Translation program at a local college.

The biggest benefits I got out of the certificate program were 1) a better understanding of the translation business and business ethics, and 2) deeper knowledge of translation methods and practices. I think I could have eventually done ok on my own without the program by seeking out books and websites with the information I needed and by gaining experience, but I feel like the program gave me a jump start. I'm a better translator than I would have been right out of the gate and I'm better equipped to run my own business.

For me, the certificate program was definitely the right choice. I already had advanced degrees in other subjects and really didn't want to spend a lot of time and money on a master's. I needed just enough knowledge about translation and the translation industry to hit the ground running and I feel like the the certificate program gave me that.

KarenMontaldi

Wow, thanks for all your input guys!

I think I have definitely decided on pursuing the M.A. in Translation (as opposed to Linguistics), but I will also try to pass the ATA exam once I'm finished with my B.A. next year. I can definitely see how an ATA certification can be more valuable to some clients sometimes. I just wish they had better materials to help you prepare for the exam, but oh well.

The program at the University of Illinois at Chicago is fairly cheap for state residents though, so I think the benefits of having that degree would make it worth it for me, considering it is a short (2 years) program as well.

ChristineClay For me, the certificate program was definitely the right choice. I already had advanced degrees in other subjects and really didn't want to spend a lot of time and money on a master's.

Where did you get your certificate, if you don't mind me asking?

Fadwa I have to say that practicing translation taught me a lot but as I joined the program I learned more theories and I started to understand what the concepts of what I was doing for a year and a half. For me, practice and degrees are both important and they complete each other.

And this is exactly what I'm thinking. After working and learning on my own for 5 years, I think it would be really beneficial to supplement that with more theories and concepts.

alyonaxl8

I don't have a translation degree or certification. I'm self-taught, learning from the same textbooks my sister did at the university plus some. But I have professional translators among my friends who helped me and reviewed my first efforts. I'm also a bit obsessive when it comes to subjects I'm interested in, so that helped, too. My point is, if you're determined enough and have some guidance you can learn to translate on your own.

In my experience, a degree in translation doesn't give you much in terms of your chances with new clients. For example, I only had one prospect who told me they don't hire translators w/o degree (and having that degree didn't mean they wouldn't want me to take a test). Other clients wanted to see my actual work and/or a certificate from ATA/another prof.org.

Dmitry

alyonaxl8 I don't have a translation degree or certification. I'm self-taught, learning from the same textbooks my sister did at the university plus some. But I have professional translators among my friends who helped me and reviewed my first efforts. I'm also a bit obsessive when it comes to subjects I'm interested in, so that helped, too. My point is, if you're determined enough and have some guidance you can learn to translate on your own.

This is an excellent example of my main point: there's no single path in this profession. Persistence, patience and determination can come a very long way.

alyonaxl8 In my experience, a degree in translation doesn't give you much in terms of your chances with new clients. For example, I only had one prospect who told me they don't hire translators w/o degree (and having that degree didn't mean they wouldn't want me to take a test). Other clients wanted to see my actual work and/or a certificate from ATA/another prof.org.

Never had a direct client asked me about my diploma (of course, I have one, but I don't really brag about it on my website and the leads that come to me never really ask for this kind of proof of my competence). My Master's Degree, of course was useful as I acquired valuable translation skills and knowledge, but as a selling point it's not something I really focus because nobody ever asked about it. ? Which is kinda scary if you think about it because it means they might up buying services from someone who's not really translator ?

March_ts

All I can say is that a Degree in Translation is useful only to a certain extent. From my experience I can tell that there's too much theory and not enough practice until 3rd year, when they suddenly hit you with legal, economic and technical translation all in one semester. Even so, 3rd and 4th year were great because I was able to develop a glossary in financial and economic translation (my teacher was a linguist for the European Central Bank) and also to interpret a lot. For me, that was the best, because my teachers even offered me opportunities outside university to put my interpreting abilities into practice.

So all in all, I think that it can be useful to do a degree if you can establish which subjects are going to be actually useful for your future.

I'm also thinking about pursuing a Master's in audiovisual translation, but I'm not sure yet. I'm still getting a taste of the market ?

Fadwa

I worked as a translator for a year and a half without an academic background. Then, I started my master program and I will start the second year of the program by 19th Sep.

I have to say that practicing translation taught me a lot but as I joined the program I learned more theories and I started to understand what the concepts of what I was doing for a year and a half. For me, practice and degrees are both important and they complete each other. Yet, after all of that, you need to be certified as this would help you join agencies (as many ask for only certified translators) and would help more clients to trust you.

eleonorang

Fadwa For me, practice and degrees are both important and they complete each other.

Totally agree!

March_ts

Fadwa I have to say that practicing translation taught me a lot but as I joined the program I learned more theories and I started to understand what the concepts of what I was doing for a year and a half. For me, practice and degrees are both important and they complete each other.

Yes, totally. For me it was exactly like that ? However, in Spain they theach a lot of theory (too much, in my opinion). As I said, it's necessary to distinguish what's useful and what's not, but for me a degree was the correct choice, even though I actually learned more when I started working as a translator and interpreter.

Dmitry This is an excellent example of my main point: there's no single path in this profession.

Also agree on this. Even if the degree was the correct choice for me, it doesn't mean everyone needs that kind of certificate. However, in Spain many employers ask specifically for graduates in Translation and Interpreting or Linguistics.

Dmitry My Master's Degree, of course was useful as I acquired valuable translation skills and knowledge

Which Master's did you do, if you don't mind me asking? ?

Dmitry It'll be funny that it will all come together and you'll realize that something you've been doing is actually a translation method that has been developed years ago ? Translation theory can be boring, but when it's applied in practice and can certainly help you become a better translator.

Something that happened to me at uni was that I started to realize that the evolution of translation theory and history is kind of logical, but I never would've noticed without those lessons. It was really useful to me and it was always quite funny to see some translations from the past, when they even translated the names (at least in Spanish) ?

Dmitry

KarenMontaldi After working and learning on my own for 5 years, I think it would be really beneficial to supplement that with more theories and concepts.

It'll be funny that it will all come together and you'll realize that something you've been doing is actually a translation method that has been developed years ago ? Translation theory can be boring, but when it's applied in practice and can certainly help you become a better translator. And the more you apply it, the easier your work will get.

KarenMontaldi

Dmitry That's what I'm hoping! When I took my very first "translation" course a few years ago (I was trying to get the certification from NYU, but the program was cancelled with only 2 classes left for me to finish! ?), I had already completed a project with 130k+ words and was absolutely amazed at how many of the things I was learning I had actually figured out on my own. But I was also amazed at how many things I still had to learn in order to make my life easier as a translator. At this point I just want to soak up as many concepts and knowledge from professors as I can get ?

Dmitry

March_ts Which Master's did you do, if you don't mind me asking? ?

Thanks for asking @March_ts! I have a degree in Translation and Linguistics.

ClaudiaBefu

Learning translation theory is definitely a huge help. Take transcreation: no one can really give you a good answer what exactly this is, or what the difference between translation and transcreation is.

I read a bit of transcreation theory from Haroldo De Campos, and I understood that there is no difference. Because there is no comparison. You use transcreation when the source text is too difficult to translate. The technique was developed out of a necessity: De Campos was having a hard time translating poetry. The problem that he wanted to solve was: how do you translate the meaning of a poem without losing it's aesthetic information? He came up with a brilliant idea: recreate the aesthetic information in the target language and have the meaning of the poem define the boundaries of your recreation act.

Learning translation theory, is learning from brilliant translators who lived and worked before us, and left us their legacy.

ClaudiaBefu

KarenMontaldi Keeping an open mind is always the best. No one can know everything. ?

Sorry about your NYU diploma course though... That was not a nice experience.

KarenMontaldi

ClaudiaBefu It was definitely not fun haha But I do feel that I was able to take something away from the experience, as I really liked the classes I took, and learned a lot. It would've definitely been nice to have gotten that certification though!