 Red Flags & Warning Bells: How to Detect a Bad Translator |
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This is a list of words and phrases consistently misused by various translation and interpretation companies advertising on the Internet, that no competent translator or simultaneous interpreter would ever misuse.
I call them "red flags and warning bells" because they should serve as a warning to all those who read or hear them, that their translation or interpretation supplier is not all he or she ought to be. |
| Certified Translators |
| There is no such thing, contrary to the claims made by countless "certified translators" who advertise on the web and the yellow pages, as there is no official certification program for translators in the US. Next time someone claims to be a "certified translator," ask who certified him. |
| Convention interpreter |
| The correct term is conference interpreter. |
| Convention translator |
| A term sometimes used to refer to conference translators, or even conference interpreters, which are two very different things. Make sure your supplier knows the difference. |
| Simultaneous translation |
| There is no such thing: A translation is done in writing; an interpretation orally. The correct term is simultaneous interpretationMake sure your supplier knows the difference between translating and interpreting. |
| Simultaneous translation equipment |
| There is no such thing. This term is often used by interpretation brokers and equipment companies who, apparently, don't know the difference between translation and interpretation. The correct term is simultaneous interpretation equipment. Make sure your supplier knows the difference between translating and interpreting. |
| Simultaneous translator |
| There is no such thing. A translator translates written text, in writing; an interpreter translates speech, orally. Make sure your supplier knows the difference between translating and interpreting. |
| Translation equipment |
| Properly speaking, translation equipment refers to the computers and software used by translators, human or machine. However, the term is often used by interpretation brokers and equipment companies to refer to interpretation equipment.Make sure your supplier knows the difference between translating and interpreting. |
| Translator equipment |
Another variation seen used to refer to interpretation equipment.
Remember, a professional always uses the correct terminology for his or her profession. |
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