Who Is A Licensed Translator?

Licensed Translation

You’ve probably heard the term licensed translator thrown around before, but do you really know what this term means?

You might be surprised by the number of people who translate and interpret that aren’t actually licensed or certified to do so—but these individuals should not be confused with those who have passed an exam, earned certain credentials, and obtained licensure to practice their trade.

Let’s take a closer look at the concept of licensed translators and see how they differ from their non-licensure counterparts in translating documents from one language to the target language.

Just because you studied abroad doesn’t mean you qualify

It may surprise you, but not all students in language studies are eligible to become certified translators. To start the certification process, you have to apply and then take the certification examination.

On top of that, you need professional experience as well as official language fluency on both your original language and target language.

If you think you meet these requirements and are interested in taking the certification exam, find out if there are any courses offered near where you live by contacting your nearest translation agency or visit their website.

If you’re still uncertain about what it takes to become a certified translator, speak with one of our interpreters at American Translators Association – Certified Interpreters (ATA-CI).

They can help answer any questions you may have about the application process and whether or not you qualify for certification.

Translators translate text (sometimes video, music, web pages etc.)

The process of translation involves taking content from one language and translating it into another language. Translators, translators, interpreters, localization specialists, transcribers and other related professionals can do the translation work to a target language.

A person who performs this work is called a translator. To become a translator an individual has to complete specialized training in both the source and target languages, either through formal education or on-the-job experience.

Many translators specialize in one field such as law or international trade. Certification status varies with each country and also per company within each country but ATA certified translators are widely recognized to have met industry standards for competence and reliability.

English translation certification may be required by your employer for certain jobs. Birth certificates and legal documents must always be translated by a qualified professional before being submitted to any government agency or organization that requires them in order to carry out their duties.

Some people use translation companies like Language Service Providers (LSP) because they provide multiple types of translation services under one roof.

The demand for translators outstrips the supply

First, an original document needs to be created. This can either be done by hiring someone to translate it or as it’s being written.

Once the text has been translated into the final target language, there are usually two types of translators involved: one that translates from source text to target text and one that translates from target text to source text.

The latter need not be bilingual themselves and can use dictionaries or other sources if they are unfamiliar with a word in the original language.

As with any specialized field, there are always opportunities for people who have skills in translation but many things like financial rewards will depend on where they’re practicing their craft and which area of law they choose to specialize in. Do you need a Drivers’s license translation services? You must check that link.

For instance, patent translation lawyers often work independently while criminal defense attorneys work at private firms.

Some translators may find success specializing in specific fields like law or medicine while others do general translation jobs such as website localization.

Getting Started as a Translator – Do your research before approaching any company or individual

As an aspiring translator, you may find yourself wondering: who is a licensed translator? The best person to answer that question might not always be someone who has been formally trained as one; in fact, it may very well come from the people who are hiring translators.

What employers want to know when they’re looking for someone to translate their work isn’t so much whether you have the credentials, but how good your translation skills are and whether or not they need someone with those skills.

That’s why it’s important to learn about who hires translators before getting started as one. These days, there are many different kinds of jobs out there for translators – some of which you might never have imagined.

For example, did you know that doctors often employ medical interpreters (a type of translator) to help them communicate with patients who speak languages other than English?

Or that lawyers rely on legal interpreters (another type of translator) during trials to ensure fairness between themselves and the plaintiff? It’s also worth noting that even though being a bilingual person makes you more qualified than anyone else, having formal training in translating doesn’t hurt either.

The translation industry is constantly changing, which means that the best way to keep up with these changes is by keeping up-to-date on what’s happening in translation circles.

Some universities offer programs focused solely on translation – so if you plan to make a career as a medical interpreter or any other type of translation, then checking into these programs would be wise.

One last thing to remember when embarking on a career as a translator: never underestimate the value of networking.

Frequently Asked Questions