The Need For Young Interpreters & Translators

Although the related fields of translation and interpreting are becoming more and more important, it is an area in which a relatively small percentage of younger professionals work. Indeed, looking at the different age groups of practicing interpreters, we see that according to the 2010 study The Interpreting Marketplace: A Study of Interpreting in North American Commissioned by Interpret America (carried out by Common Sense Advisory) those 58 years of age and older comprise 22% of all interpreters, while those under the age of 28 constitute only 5%.

Furthermore, the field of Spanish/English foreign language translation and interpretation was named among the top 10 “hottest career options for recent and mid-career college graduates” in a recent study by the University of California-San Diego: Hot Careers for College Graduates 2010. According to the latest edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth in the United States for this field is projected to increase by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018.

The B.A. Program at Northwestern

One of the reasons for the lack of younger interpreters and translators is a lack of baccalaureate programs in translation and interpreting. Although there are many certificate programs, there are only a few degree granting programs at the undergraduate level. As such, Northwestern College, located in Orange City, Iowa, and its new B.A. in Translation and Interpreting, hopes to address this situation. Because of the college’s relatively small size, students will receive individual attention and will have ample time to practice in the program’s modern facilities.

The four year program is designed for bilingual students who would like to become professional interpreters and/or translators while acquiring a Liberal Arts education – key to becoming successful, well-rounded professionals. In addition to a wide range of general education courses required for graduation, students will take interpreting and translation courses all four years, with specific course sequences focusing on interpreting and translation.

The program provides ample hands-on opportunities for practicing what is learned in the classroom, both on the college campus and in the surrounding communities. During the senior year, students will participate in a practicum in the community as a capstone feature of the program.

How It Translates

As the aging population of interpreters and translators suggests, and as the market need increases, now is the opportune time for young people bilingual in Spanish and English to maximize their potential and join the ranks of a growing profession that is increasingly vital.

About Northwestern College: Northwestern College is a four-year, accredited, liberal arts college with an undergraduate, residential environment. Located in Orange City, Iowa, approximately 1,250 students study at Northwestern, coming from across the United States and from more than 20 countries. With a student/faculty ratio of 14 to 1 and small class sizes, Northwestern College has been ranked as a top-5 Midwestern comprehensive college by U.S. News & World Report and was included in the top 15% of the nation’s colleges and universities by Forbes.com.

When you’re getting certified translations of documents, legal officials often butcher the spellings of names, especially if they’re translating from a non-Latin-based alphabet.

Here are a few guidelines for how to translate your name into English:

Sound It Out

The more phonetically your name is spelled, the more likely it is to be pronounced correctly by English-speakers. Although there might be letters in your name that are not pronounced in your native language, leave them out of the English spelling. Translate your name as phonetically as possible.

Keep it Simple

Bottom line — the shorter your name, the less trouble you’ll have conveying it to English-speakers. Keep it simple! When you translate your name, eliminate all unnecessary characters. You’ll be grateful when your professors call attendance in your American college or university.

Be Consistent

When translating your name, make sure you spell it the same way on all your documents — your visa, college application, driver’s license, etc. The slightest variation in spelling can cause you a world of trouble when it comes to legal documentation.

Your name isn’t necessarily permanent, but it’s certainly a lot easier to get it right the first time rather than going through the tedious process of getting it changed. So when you translate your name, make sure you know exactly how you want it spelled!

As the number of people who speak languages other than English increases, the need for translators and interpreters grows. From court proceedings requiring interpreting to businesses needing promotional materials translated into another (or several other) language(s), it’s a growing industry, both in the US and abroad. But where do you go for training as a translator or interpreter?

As it turns out, you go to Iowa. Starting in the fall, students at Northwestern College in Orange City will be able to earn a Spanish translation degree, making them only the fourth school in the country to offer translation as a major.

A Higher Degree of Linguistic Expertise

Northwestern’s Spanish translation major comes as an attempt to address the shortage of translators in the Iowa court system. Currently, there are only eleven class-A-certified interpreters in the entire state (including one of the professors at Northwestern), so there’s plenty of room for a few good experts.

The Spanish translation major doesn’t focus exclusively on legal translation, however. It’s a liberal arts degree, so it will expose students to a broad range of specializations, while at the same time paying close attention to the unique challenges faced by translators and interpreters.

If you wanted to apply your translation and interpreting degree to something other than the legal field, you have plenty of career options available. Skilled linguists are vital to many industries, so a Spanish translation major would open many doors as you begin your post-college job search.

Translating Education into Professional Success

At present, Northwestern plans to offer translation degrees only in the Spanish language. However, if the program is a success, it may encourage the addition of degrees in other languages as well, which would present many more job opportunities for those looking for a foreign language career.

The global marketplace is continually expanding, and the need for skilled translators and interpreters grows with it. More and more companies need experts to translate important documents or facilitate multi-lingual meetings, so a translation degree might  just might translate into a rewarding career.

Don’t speak French? No worries—we do!

This Valentine’s Day, skip the tired flowers and candy and get creative. Give a unique gift that speaks the language of love…literally. Here’s how:

• Write your letter in English.
• Send it to University Language Services, where a professional linguist (NOT an error-prone online translator!) will translate it into French.
• Impress your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day with this romantic and unique Valentine’s Day gift!

Does your sweetie love surprises? A love letter in French is personal, charming and unique—a Valentine’s Day gift that is sure to woo that special someone. We’ll translate your love letter (of no more than 100 words) for only $19.99.*

Everything sounds better in French! So this year, give this unique, romantic Valentine’s Day gift that’s sure to spark things up!

*Rules and restrictions apply. See Terms and Conditions.

Now your readers can translate your site into 42 languages with a FREE website translation tool from our sister site, Accredited Language Services.

And you don’t have to be a web wizard to customize this widget for your website. In five easy steps, you’ll have a website translation tool that’s the style, color and width you prefer. And did we mention that it’s FREE?

Of course, website translation widgets go only so far and results cannot be guaranteed.

Automatic machine translations don’t provide the same nuance and readability that come from experienced human translators. Idioms and metaphors produce some strange results from machine translators, and faced with a word that has multiple definitions, a machine translator may very well choose a word with the wrong meaning.

A website translation tool will allow your readers to get a good idea of what you are writing, but the result won’t be a work of art. Nor is it something you would want to turn in to your foreign language professor!

For the most accurate website translation, it’s best to rely on a real, live linguist. A human translator is sensitive to the meaning and tone of the written word and provides a much more reliable translation when accuracy is key. In fact, many colleges, universities, government offices and organizations require certified translations performed by a human.

But free website translation widgets are lauded for their convenience and ease of use. If you want one on your website, give the translation widget from Accredited Language a try.

Just be glad that your mistakes aren’t written down for all the world to see, like these funny translation errors at hotels, restaurants, stores and other locations around the world:

Copenhagen Airline: We take your bags and send them in all directions

Norwegian Lounge: Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar

Swiss Menu: Our wines leave you nothing to hope for

Rome Doctor: Specialist in women and other diseases

Paris Hotel Elevator: Please leave your values at the front desk

Hong Kong Tailor’s Shop: Ladies may have a fit upstairs

Bangkok Dry Cleaners: Drop your trousers here for best results

Paris Dress Shop: Dresses for street walking

Athens Hotel: Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m. daily

Rome Laundry: Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time

Hong Kong Advertisement: Teeth extracted by the latest methodists

Swiss Inn: Special today… no ice cream

Japanese Detour Sign: Stop: Drive Sideways.

Swedish Furrier: Fur coats made for ladies from their own skin

Budapest Zoo: Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty.

When Translation Errors AREN’T Funny

Translation errors are much more serious when they occur on your academic transcript.

For example, perhaps you passed a course that was titled “Advanced Physics.” The translation of your transcript should read “Advanced Physics” and not “Physics,” “Physics II” or, even worse, “Science.”

Even one of these types of translation errors can affect the evaluation of your transcript. An evaluation based on an incorrect translation could even keep you from being accepted into your first-choice US college or university.

Professional translators are aware of the nuances involved in translating academic documents like transcripts, diplomas and certificates. Amateur translators and especially those instant, automatic online translation tools just don’t have that kind of experience.

Translations of academic records are one of the major tools that admissions counselors at US colleges and universities use to determine if they will admit international students.

Don’t take any chances with your translation. Use a professional translator. Translation errors on academic records are NOT funny!