Poll: Have you benefited from obtaining new translation-related certifications? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you benefited from obtaining new translation-related certifications?".
This poll was originally submitted by tilakahuja. View the poll results »
| | | | inkweaver 
Germany
Local time: 20:00
French to German
+ ...
| No such certifications | Sep 1, 2013 |
I was hoping to get a Master in Translation from the University of the West of England (part-time distance learning), got some initial credits but had to suspend my studies for a year due to health and financial reasons.
When I was ready to resume my studies the university had decided to scrap the course and I would have needed to finish it within one year which was out of the question since this would have meant being a full-time student which I simply wasn't able afford.
... See more I was hoping to get a Master in Translation from the University of the West of England (part-time distance learning), got some initial credits but had to suspend my studies for a year due to health and financial reasons.
When I was ready to resume my studies the university had decided to scrap the course and I would have needed to finish it within one year which was out of the question since this would have meant being a full-time student which I simply wasn't able afford.
So, no, unfortunately no such certifications. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 20:00
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
| Not yet because... | Sep 1, 2013 |
Since I've started as a freelancer I've not obtained any new certifications.
But I'm planning on changing this in the near future.
| | | | | The certification regarding my second source language | Sep 1, 2013 |
has certainly made a difference.
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Diana Coada (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:00
Portuguese to English
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I've benefited from being accepted on the NRPSI. Having RPSI after one's name makes a huge difference when it comes to client confidence in one's abilities.
| | | | | Only because it's required by government | Sep 1, 2013 |
Brazil has a law requiring any document issued in a foreign language to be attached to a sworn translation by duly licensed translators. Info about this available in English here.
Such translators are only about 3,000 among a population of 200 million. So it definitely generates some additional demand, however not enough to make me waive any plain translation work... See more Brazil has a law requiring any document issued in a foreign language to be attached to a sworn translation by duly licensed translators. Info about this available in English here.
Such translators are only about 3,000 among a population of 200 million. So it definitely generates some additional demand, however not enough to make me waive any plain translation work.
Regarding other certifications, apart from the Proz PRO-tag, I have none. With the exception of rare job posts that require it on Proz, possibly to shortlist the number of allowed applicants instead of the more frequent "must have Trados" (even when NO CAT tool would be useful) requirement, it hasn't benefited me at all.
On the other hand, I was never rejected for any job because I lacked any other certification or degree. The only reason a few prospects had to turn me down was because I am not a US citizen and resident. Anyway, if I were either, Brazilian government would be precluded from licensing me as a sworn translator. One can't have the cake and eat it too. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ventnai
Spain
Local time: 20:00
German to English
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I have done several translation courses, but to be quite honest, I don't think that they helped much. It may be due to the style of teaching, or to put it more bluntly, a lack of a suitable method.
| | | | Simon Bruni
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:00
Member (2009)
Spanish to English
| Distance learning MA at Portsmouth | Sep 1, 2013 |
inkweaver wrote:
I was hoping to get a Master in Translation from the University of the West of England (part-time distance learning), got some initial credits but had to suspend my studies for a year due to health and financial reasons.
When I was ready to resume my studies the university had decided to scrap the course and I would have needed to finish it within one year which was out of the question since this would have meant being a full-time student which I simply wasn't able afford.
So, no, unfortunately no such certifications.
The University of Portsmouth do a distance-learning MA in Translation Studies:
http://www.port.ac.uk/courses/modern-languages-and-area-studies/ma-translation-studies-dl/
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| | | Yes, I believe so | Sep 1, 2013 |
...but who knows?
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not sure I was clear about the question here after reading other answers
I did my MA in Translation before I started my career, so yes that helped.
I have done other courses along the way, but nothing spectacular
Also, I have done the three main SDL Studio 2011 training sessions, but have yet to do the examinations and get the "official" certification, simply because each time I think about doing them, another j... See more not sure I was clear about the question here after reading other answers
I did my MA in Translation before I started my career, so yes that helped.
I have done other courses along the way, but nothing spectacular
Also, I have done the three main SDL Studio 2011 training sessions, but have yet to do the examinations and get the "official" certification, simply because each time I think about doing them, another job comes along and I just don't have the time.
Again, I would love to do more education, but the higher education courses here in Germany leave something to be desired compared to those available at technical colleges/night/weekend school in England.
For now, I am enjoying taking advantage of all the training available here on Proz. I expect they will look good on my profile ▲ Collapse
| | | | Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 12:00
English to Spanish
+ ...
In memoriam | No such certifications | Sep 1, 2013 |
That is, I have no NEW translation-related certifications. The one I have is over 32 years old, from the U.S. Federal Courts. But have I benefited from it? The answer is a resounding YES. It has gotten me loads of work.
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Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 19:00
Teresa Borges wrote:
in the last 10 years...
Ditto for the last 12.
Do others think accreditations with translator institutes (IoL, ATA, etc.) would fall under the "certifications" category?
Have I benefited from SATI (South African Translators' Institute) accreditation? Some work has come through accredited membership of this organisation, and I suppose the letters behind my name (if I could actually remember what they are) would wield some additional clout were I working in South Africa.
I may well pursue some piece of paper to prove my competence in Pt-En translation, but I have not yet put that on my "goals" list.
Years of experience may well cover the gaps which as yet unobtained certificates would otherwise fill.
| | | | Helen Hagon
Local time: 19:00
Member (2011)
Russian to English
+ ...
It's important to choose the right course or certification, though. It is hard to say whether my qualifications have directly brought in work, but I know they have helped me to improve the quality of my work in one way or another and that, I hope, will help me to retain and attract clients.
| | | | | Much the same as Henry | Sep 2, 2013 |
Henry Hinds wrote:
That is, I have no NEW translation-related certifications. The one I have is over 32 years old, from the U.S. Federal Courts. But have I benefited from it? The answer is a resounding YES. It has gotten me loads of work.
I don't have a U.S. Federal Court certification, but I have some old certificates issued by the American Translators Association, and they have played a big role in building my client base.
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