Questions and Answers |
What is a professional translator?
A professional translator is a trained individual who translates written documents from the source language into the target language. Translators abide by a code of ethics that states they must translate everything and produce an accurate and faithful rendition of the original document. The professional translator will refuse to translate into their non-native language and will not accept work in a subject matter that they have no knowledge of. Technical translators may request glossaries and inquire about preferred word usage or phraseology for accuracy and consistency. Many professional translators hold certifications and even Master’s Degrees in Translation studies.
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What is a professional interpreter?
A professional interpreter is a trained individual who translates speech orally from one language into another. A professional interpreter abides by a code of ethics that states that an interpreter must render the message accurately and faithfully while maintaining the register, style, and tone of the speaker. They will not add, edit, or omit information from either speaker. Many professional interpreters hold certifications, licenses, and even Master’s Degrees in Interpretation studies.
The language exchange may either be performed in consecutive or simultaneous mode.
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What is consecutive interpretation?
Consecutive interpretation is used in situations where there is an exchange of information between speakers. This can include doctor’s appointments, business meetings, depositions, and court hearings. In consecutive interpretation, the speakers are instructed to speak in short segments (usually 3-5 sentences) allowing the interpreter to interpret the message from notes and memory. Depending on the difficulty of the subject matter and considering that some languages do not have the proper equivalent for certain words or concepts, the interpreter might ask the speaker to clarify their message or to speak in laymen’s terms rather than render their own interpretation.
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What is simultaneous interpretation?
Simultaneous interpretation is used in conference-style settings where the speakers output a presentation or speech. The interpreters work in pairs and will isolate themselves in a booth to eliminate outside distractions and wear a head-set so that they are able to hear the speaker. The interpreters take turns interpreting at the event, trading off about every 20 minutes to interpret the speech. The interpreter interprets at the same time that the speaker is talking, usually about one or two sentences behind the speaker. In this situation, the interpreter does not have time to clarify messages or statements. For this reason, the interpreter requests reference material to study the speech or presentation weeks or months in advance so that they fully understand the content and are prepared for complicated terminology and phrases.
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Why should I use a professional interpreter or translator?
Professional is the key word. Hiring a professional instills confidence in the parties involved in the language exchange assuring their message will be translated accurately and completely. A common misconception held by most is that being bilingual automatically qualifies someone to interpret or translate in a professional setting. Bilingualism is definitely the foundation for interpreters and translators, but it is certainly not the only component. A good analogy to support this would be comparing a medical assistant to a doctor. Both professionals work in the medical field; however one would not expect the medical assistant to assume the doctor’s entire role. The same logic is true in the translation industry and it is statistically proven that working with an amateur leaves the parties involved open to potentially embarrassing, damaging, and even dangerous miscommunication.
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Why should I choose SME Translation?
SME is comprised of a team of expert language consultants over 30 years of experience in virtually every aspect of the translation industry. Our background has matched expert linguists to numerous projects in the oil & gas, engineering, nuclear, mining, legal, medical, immigration, and private sector. We only consult with professional linguists in the respective field and are well-versed in the standards of practice and codes of ethics for interpreters and translators. At SME, we are motivated by customer satisfaction and make it our personal mission to match our clients with the most qualified candidate for any language or field.
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