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Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Frequently Asked QuestionsTranslation
Training
Translations How are translation fees fixed?Translation fees may be fixed in several different ways. As always, each of these ways has its advantages and disadvantages that Client and translator will have to discuss together in order to reach the best option. Translation fees may be determined per word (be careful because in general this means per word in the translation, not in the source text, and when translating from English into Spanish, translations are always longer). In this case, you should ask the translator for an estimate of the final amount. Fees can also be fixed per page. Again, it is generally per page of translation. If it is a very long document, you can ask for a fixed amount for the whole work. When additional edition tasks and/or non-conventional software are necessary, some translators charge per hour of work. Anyway, fees should always be subject to negotiation between the parties. What is a certified translation?A certified translation is a translation signed and sealed by a certified translator who holds a license granted by a certified translators’ association. Any translation of a text that must be submitted to a public body or entity usually requires to be certified. In the city of Buenos Aires, certified translators are members of the Certified Translators Association of the City of Buenos Aires [Colegio de Traductores Públicos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires.] I need to translate a legal document, must the translation be certified?This depends on what you need the translation for. Not all legal translations need to be certified and, on the contrary, technical or scientific translations may need to be certified. Again, it all depends on what the Client needs the translation for, and before whom the Client needs to present it. What does the Certified Translators Association certify?The Association certifies that the translator signing the translation is a member of the Association, that his/her signature and seal match the translator’ s signature and seal that the Association has registered, and that the translation meets all certification requirements. It is important to note that the Association does not certify whether the translation is accurate or not; it simply certifies the translator’s signature and that the translation meets all certification requirements. What are the formal requirements of a certified translation established by the Certified Translators Association of Buenos Aires?In its Certification Rules, the Association sets forth the requirements that must be met in order to have a translation certified by the Association. Such requirements include the following: the translation must always be attached to the source document, whether the original document or a copy; the heading of the translation must read "TRADUCCIÓN PÚBLICA", in Spanish; the translation must have no blank spaces - if there are any, they must be filled in, generally by adding dots or dashes at the end of each paragraph; if the back of the sheets on which the translation was printed is not used, it must be crossed-out, or else, the number of pages of the translation must be included in the closing paragraph of the translation. The purpose of filling blank spaces in the translation is to avoid the adding of words or paragraphs. Another essential requirement is the closing paragraph of the translation, where the translator must state the language of the source document and the language into which it was translated. If the source text is translated into a language other than Spanish, the closing paragraph must be written in both languages, and the Spanish version of the closing paragraph must be preceded by the phrase "[For certification purposes only]". Finally, the translator must sign and seal the translation, leaving no spaces between the signature and the closing paragraph. These are the basic formalities of a certified translation and it is essential for the Client to identify them so as to avoid having problems when trying to have the translation certified by the Certified Translators Association. How much does the certification cost?The certification fees charged by the Certified Translators Association vary according to the degree of urgency in each case. Express certifications from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. $36. Must the translator personally request that his/her translation be certified?No, anyone can request that a translation be certified by the Association provided all formal requirements are met. Open hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. [Back to Top] I need to send a document to the United States. Is it acceptable to ask my bilingual secretary to translate it?Although every boss believes, or needs to believe, that his or her bilingual secretary can do everything, the truth is they can’t. Bilingual secretaries often perform these tasks under a lot of pressure and without the necessary tools since translating is not part of their training and skills. It is not enough to have an excellent command of the target language. It is also necessary to know specific translation techniques (studied at University level.) Our advice is that when the document to be translated is important or may have legal implications, you should always resort to a professional with specialized knowledge on the subject. Are electronic translators useful?We are sorry to tell all those who believed they had found the "magic" electronic solution for their communication problems in a foreign language, that electronic translators are seldom of much help. They are more practical than a dictionary in your bookshelf, but they are still very limited and quite often, misleading. What’s the difference between translation and interpretation?Translation is a written process whereby a person renders the content of a document written in one language into another. The translator must understand the meaning of the source text and deliver equivalent meaning in the target language, taking into account context, style, terminology, among others. Interpretation, on the other hand, refers to an oral process. An individual who is fluent in two languages hears a statement in one language and orally conveys an equivalent meaning in the second language. Interpreters generally face the same terminology issues as translators, with the added challenge of having to render the equivalent meaning in a shorter period (or simultaneously). What is the difference between simultaneous and consecutive interpretation?Simultaneous interpretation takes place when an interpreter translates over someone talking - in a seminar, conference, etc. In order to perform this kind of interpretation, it is necessary to have the adequate equipment and facilities, since the interpreter usually works in a booth from which he/she listens to the speaker and delivers the translation to the members of the audience, who usually wear ear-phones. In consecutive interpretation, on the other hand, the speaker usually talks and then stops in order to have the interpreter translate what was just said. Training How long will it take me to speak English fluently? I want to be able to understand and make myself understood…We won’t try to fool you and make you believe that in a year’s time you are going to be an expert in the language. Although it would be very useful, it is impossible to learn a language in such a short time (no matter what method you use). You may listen to cassettes while sleeping, place English books under your pillow and wait for magical results, stay in front of the TV 8 hours a day trying to understand CNN... or try any other method that is advertised or recommended to you. But the truth is that learning a language takes time. The learning process can be shortened, though, and may be more entertaining depending on the method and materials used, but there is no miracle solution to help you learn a language. I don’t want to use any books, I don’t want to write, I don’t want to study grammar… is it possible?It is possible not to work with a single textbook. It is possible not to study grammar and to speak like Tarzan (it may be enough for you) ... but it is also possible to study applied grammar and not to feel as though you were being tortured! Is it better to take individual or group classes?There are several answers to this question. In most cases, it depends on different factors: the student’s personality, goals and level of English. Group classes are more amusing. Students interact and learn in a more dynamic and active environment. Oral communication is much more easily encouraged. However, the time available to each student is shorter than that in an individual class, and the pace of the course is determined by the group as a whole. In an individual class, it is easier to satisfy the specific needs of a student. In general, it is recommended that a learning group be made up of no more than 3 or 4 students. What does learning Business English mean?The structure and dynamics of a Business English class is exactly the same as that of a regular English class, focusing on the same language areas – grammar, listening, pronunciation or vocabulary – but within the business context. Therefore, all situations included in the material and textbooks selected are related to what usually happens in offices, business trips, seminars, presentations, and other business environments. The vocabulary learned in these courses focuses on the specific situations in which each company-client may become involved.[Back to Top] To receive more information about our services, please send us an email or call us at (54.11) 4896.2693 or 4784.5445. We’ll be glad to assist you. 
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