FOREIGN LANGUAGE TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION

What is Language Interpretation and Language Translation?
Language interpretation involves translating words spoken by two or more persons from one language to another. Language translation involves translating written text from one language to another. Language interpreters and language translators are employed by a wide variety of organizations including immigration services agencies, courts of law, hospitals, international businesses, colleges and universities, and community service organizations.

How can I become a Language Interpreter?
People who are interested in becoming a language interpreter should start by taking language classes or working towards a degree studying the language(s) of your choice. A list of Connecticut colleges and universities offering foreign language degree study programs can be found at the website of the State of Connecticut Department of Higher Education: www.ctdhe.org/database/DHESearch.htm

How can I become a Certified Language Translator?
Translators need to be proficient in the subject matter they work with (such as business, law or medical texts) as well as with languages. Certification as a language translator is achieved by examinations administered by the American Translators Association (ATA):www.atanet.org/. ATA’s website also has information on language translation and interpretation professions, including online directories of interpreters and translators, newsletters, and mentoring. The website of the New England Translators Association (NETA):www.netaweb.org/cms2/ has resources for regional language interpreters and translators and provides notices of upcoming ATA examinations.

Court interpreters provide spoken translations of civil or criminal court proceedings for defendants or witnesses who do not speak English. In addition to being proficient in two or more languages, court interpreters are required to pass a certification exam in the state where they will be employed. Further information can be found at the website of The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT):www.najit.org/

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:

• Search by service name: Language Interpretation

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SOURCES: American Translators Association website; The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators website; New England Translators Association website; State of Connecticut Department of Higher Education website
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: June2012