If you are looking for work in the UK, you may need to provide potential employers with translations of documents such as your qualifications certificates.

Depending on the employer, they may accept your own translation, but some employers might require what is known as a certified translation. This is a translation that has been formally verified for use as an official document.   

Certified Translations

A certified translation may be done by a sworn translator i.e. a member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting; they must sign - and often stamp - the document to say that they have done the translation. Certified translations have to be taken from the original document (not photocopies) and the end-user of the translation has the peace of mind that the document is an accurate translation of the original.

The UK has a big need for translators and interpreters. A recent report in the media has estimated that nearly 2.5 million people have moved here in the last 5 years, meaning that you can now walk through towns all across the UK and hear lots of different languages being spoken in the street. With the 2012 Olympics coming to London as well, you could say that it has never been a better time to be a translator in the UK.

Working in the sector

UK Translation and Interpretation agencies receive thousands of applications from people every day, a translator deals with written words and an interpreter only deals with the spoken word. Agencies are looking for people with university degrees in translation or interpretation, who also specialise in a certain field. For example, they want translators who are also oil & gas experts or lawyers, or banking & finance people. If you are not a specialist you can still apply, but you will find your work is limited to general commercial translation which doesn’t pay as much.

Most UK translators need to be native English speakers. This is because you should be translating from your second language into your native speaking language as this ensures accuracy. Unfortunately for most non-English translators, the internet revolution has allowed UK agencies to use translators who live in other countries. This makes it much cheaper for them than employing someone in the UK, but much harder for you to find work.

Interpreters

Interpreters are still in great demand, particularly in places like police stations, hospitals and town council buildings. They are also wanted in the business world, but here again they need to be highly qualified and capable of ‘simultaneous’ interpreting, this is when the interpreter speaks almost at the same time as the speaker, it requires a great deal of skill and is incredibly exhausting; an experienced interpreter can usually work for about 25 minutes before someone else must take over.

‘Consecutive’ interpreting is easier; you just listen to the person and then tell the other person what was said. Consecutive interpreting is not as highly paid, but is not as stressful for the interpreter. Consecutive interpreters are often in demand in police stations, courtrooms and hospitals. If this interests you, contact one of the many multi-lingual recruitment agencies in the UK.

Employment Status

Most translators/interpreters are not employed full-time, they are usually self-employed and invoice their agency for each piece of work that they do. You need to ask yourself if you have the skills to build a successful business, and think about how you will support yourself when you are not getting much work.

If you are still interested in working in this area, you should contact the Institute of Translators and Interpreters (ITI) and ask them what you need to do to become a member. Membership of the ITI will give you the professional recognition that you need to so that you have a chance of becoming a successful translator in the UK, as-well as guide you as to how much you should charge for your services.


By John Hillman

 

USEFUL WORDS

translator = a person who translates writing or speech into a different language
interpreter = a person whose job it is to translate what somebody is saying into another language
simultaneous translation / interpreting = translation/interpreting which is done at the same time as the words are being written/spoken
literal translation = following the original words exactly
certified translation = a translation which has been made and recognised as correct by a solicitor
academic transcript = an official record of a student’s work that shows the courses they have taken and the marks/grades they have achieved
original copy = the first document produced, in the original language
certified true copy = a copy which has been recognised as authentic by a solicitor

GRAMMAR SPOT

Question Phrases

What and how can combine with other words to form phrases that are often used to begin a question

What can come before a noun:

What time will the documents be ready?
What colour paper will be used?
What kind of/type of/sort of documents do you translate?

Use what about or how about to draw attention to something or to make a suggestion:

What about / how about this style of text?
What about / how about changing the layout of the document?

Use what … for in questions about purpose or reason:

What do you need these translations for?
What is the stamp at the bottom of the document for?

How can come before an adjective or adverb:

How old is your company?
How far is it to the station from here?
How often do you do translations from German to English?
How long will it take to complete the work?

It can also be used before much and many:

How many translators work for the company?
How much will the work cost?