Ever wondered what it good it does you to know how to speak a second language aside from boosting your odds of getting a job with an international corporation and helping you fend of Alzheimer’s? Maybe you never realized it, but being bilingual opens a lot of doors you might never have realized were there. Especially for those who were raised bilingual, there is a lot of money to be made in making certified translations. Inlingua Utah is a leading provider of certified translations in Utah for those who require them, and you can offer them as well if you have the appropriate experience.
The ATA, or American Translators Association, is an organization built upon the ideals of fostering the best professional translators and interpreters in countries all over the world, and as such work very hard to create a certification program that upholds their ideas of excellence. Should a translator obtain their ATA certificate, it means their skills are held the highest standards of their profession. With less than one in five people passing the exam, it goes without saying that working towards an ATA certificate is a true challenge, but one that is well worth the investment of time for those willing to work for it.
While there are practice tests to get you started on your road to certification, it is first important that you meet the eligibility requirements. After you find out if they offer a certificate in the language you are looking for and become a member of the ATA (which is as simple as signing up and paying a membership fee), you must meet one of five eligibility requirements, which include:
• Being an accredited and/or certified member of Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs
• Having an approved T&I certificate/degree
• Having a Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of translating experience
• Five years or more translating experience (no Bachelor’s degree)
• Get a score of at least “Advanced low” on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language’s reading proficiency test for both source and target languages.
If you qualify to take the test, you must sign up and then pay a $300 for administration and grading expenses. It is important that signing up as early as possible is often crucial for the smoothest experience not only because all sittings have a maximum capacity and tests in major cities can fill up up to months in advance, but there is a $45 late fee should you sign up less than two weeks before the test. Should you be one of the happy few who make the grade, you not only get an ATA membership upgrade but you are also entitles to add the “CT” designation after your name on stationary, resumes, etc.
If you are looking to break into the business of certified translation in Utah, you don’t have to become ATA certified, but if you do you will likely find just how invaluable it can be in your career as a translator. If you are looking to enhance your language skills before your certification or are on the lookout for post certification employment, check out Inlingua Utah at https://www.inlinguautah.com/