A few years ago, the French social security contribution collection agency’s code for a translator was the same as that of a bear tamer! In other words, translation was not a recognised profession.
The status of translator does not (yet) exist in France. Neither does the status of interpreter.
As things stand, anyone in France can become a translator without showing that they have obtained a diploma or validated their professional skills.
Around 50 or so years ago, interpreters joined forces to safeguard the profession. They set up the AIIC – the International Association of Conference Interpreters. Translators founded the SFT – the French Association of Translators. The AIIC requires applicants to be supported by three AIIC interpreters and the SFT’s website gives an overview of translators’ qualifications.
Nevertheless, there’s nothing to stop Joe Bloggs from spending two months in England and becoming a translator for a living… If they can find customers. This does somewhat tarnish the profession even if the situation is currently changing, as an increasing number of young graduates arrive on the market and customers are more and more stringent.
The situation for certified translators is different, as they are selected by Courts of Appeal.
They are, therefore, officially “translators”. And yet…
The reason for selecting them remains a mystery. The decision, made behind closed doors, does not require any reasoning and there is no possibility to appeal in the event of a refusal. Nobody knows exactly how candidates are chosen nor by whom. What is more, the quality of the translations isn’t always up to standard and can be deemed poor in some cases due to a lack of expertise as a real translator.
They are, therefore, officially “translators”. And yet…
The reason for selecting them remains a mystery. The decision, made behind closed doors, does not require any reasoning and there is no possibility to appeal in the event of a refusal. Nobody knows exactly how candidates are chosen nor by whom. What is more, the quality of the translations isn’t always up to standard and can be deemed poor in some cases due to a lack of expertise as a real translator.
CG Traduction & Interprétation only works with the best and – as is recommended in AFNOR standard 15038 “Translation Services” published in 2004 – we provide a systematic proofread, as we do for all of our translations. Certified translators, on the other hand, work alone and even if they are good and do proofread their work, they are not distanced enough from their text to see the details.
That said, a certified translation that has not been proofread still stands up in court!
And the courts – for trails – use certified translators and not interpreters.*
That said, a certified translation that has not been proofread still stands up in court!
And the courts – for trails – use certified translators and not interpreters.*
But things are changing! Find out more in our next post…
*Interpreting and translation are two different professions:
• Translators write. They can search, refine, research and make corrections.
• Interpreters speak. They work in the moment – what is said is said. For simultaneous conferences, interpreters have around 3 seconds to think, so they are required to have extensive knowledge of specific subject areas and possess outstanding general knowledge.
• Translators write. They can search, refine, research and make corrections.
• Interpreters speak. They work in the moment – what is said is said. For simultaneous conferences, interpreters have around 3 seconds to think, so they are required to have extensive knowledge of specific subject areas and possess outstanding general knowledge.