Commissioning work

1. Choosing a translator

It is important to ensure a high standard of translation. We would expect our Full Members to complete work with no need for further editing.

Our Basic Members have passed the Association’s examination and achieved a level deemed appropriate for a translator who has been working under supervision for at least a year. A number of them may of course, be more experienced than this.

The Directory will indicate into which language the candidate is qualified to translate.

2. Agreeing terms

You should explain the requirements as well as the context of your work and discuss any specialist terms that may arise.

You should discuss how you would like any documents to be sent and received, e.g. by e-mail or fax, or as hard copy or on disk by post - or any combination of these.

Terms and a timetable should be agreed in advance. Translators usually charge per 1,000 words, though most translators also have a minimum fee. A charge per hour may be levied in some instances, if appropriate. Interpreters normally charge by the hour. Some translators and interpreters charge VAT.

When you agree the translation rate for documents, you should ask whether it includes a charge for proofreading. If it does not, the rate charged needs to be agreed.

To avoid misunderstandings, a member of your staff should be designated as the contact point between your organisation and the translator or interpreter.

If more than one person is involved in translating a document, it is important for the translator to ensure that the translation is consistent in style and terminology and of a high quality throughout.

3. Indemnity Insurance

The fact that the translator has indemnity insurance may indicate that the customer’s rights are safeguarded and that a professional approach is adopted in dealing with clients.

4. Proofreading

Proofreading is an essential part of the translation process. Sufficient time must be allowed for it to be done thoroughly, even if the document is comparatively short. Small errors, particularly on signs, can often prove expensive.

As a rule, the translator himself/herself undertakes a final check of the proof. Errors can occur if proofs are faxed, especially where very small print or a coloured background is used.

5. Software

Please remember to consult the translator to ensure that his/her software is compatible with yours. In some cases, organisations commissioning translation work are prepared to install their software on a translator’s computer system.

6. Arranging an Interpretation Service

Interpretation (also known as simultaneous translation) involves a skill very different from that of written translation. Such services are used extensively in parts of Wales, in meetings from community councils to all-Wales conferences. The usual practice is for the interpreter to work from Welsh into English so that non-Welsh-speakers are able to understand the proceedings.

Copies of documents to be used at the meeting should be sent to the interpreter beforehand.

To make the service a success, the Chairman should refer to the availability of the service at the start of the meeting and ensure that all those present know how to use the equipment and into which language the interpreter will be translating. The success of the service depends just as much on the approach adopted by the chairman as on the skill of the interpreter. If you decide to use an interpreter at a meeting, it is important that you encourage those attending to use the service.

Please bear in mind that interpretation is such demanding work that an interpreter should not be expected to work for more than half an hour without a break. If you expect this to be exceeded, you should employ a second interpreter.

Once you have approached several interpreters, you should agree terms in advance of the meeting or meetings. Interpreters charge for the time spent travelling to and from their workplace in addition to their travelling expenses and the hours spent doing the actual translation work.

7. Interpretation Systems

Various county councils and voluntary organisations in Wales hire out interpretations systems. For full details . . .

8. Full Membership

Full Membership signifies the achievement of a wholly professional standard and indicates that the member concerned requires no supervision. He/she is expected to be able to translate fluently and correctly in several styles and registers as required, and to cope with abstract or technical language. He/she is also expected to possess a clear understanding of the cultural background of both languages. Once revised by the translator himself/herself, his/her completed and revised translations should require no further amendment or correction. Any translator with three years' experience of translating on a full-time basis, or equivalent experience on a part-time basis, may apply for Full Membership.

Full Membership can only be gained by sitting an examination. Two exams, each of two hours and five minutes (125 minutes) duration, are held on the day of the examinations, translating from English into Welsh (Paper 1) and translating from Welsh into English (Paper 2). Both papers require the translation of two passages.

The examination procedure for Full Membership has been validated by a member of staff of the University of Wales. The procedure is totally confidential and anonymous. Candidates can choose to sit one examination into one language only or sit both examinations. Membership is granted according to the target language in which the candidate has succeded and the level(s) of membership is clearly indicated on the membership certificate.

9. Basic Membership

Basic Membership signifies the achievement of the basic professional level for those undertaking translation work in a range of general areas with occasional forays into more specialised fields. The standard of work produced is expected to correspond to that of a translator who, at the outset of his/her career, has been working under the supervision of an experienced translator for a year or more. He/she is expected to be able to translate general reading material with little or no difficulty. He/she should possess a general understanding of the cultural background of both languages.

Basic Membership can only be gained by sitting an examination. Two exams, each of an hour and thirty five minutes (95 minutes) duration, are held on the day of the examinations, translating from English into Welsh (Paper 1) and translating from Welsh into English (Paper 2). Both papers require the translation of two passages.

The examination procedure for Basic Membership has been validated by a member of staff of the University of Wales. The procedure is totally confidential and anonymous. Candidates can choose to sit one examination into one language only or sit both examinations. Membership is granted according to the target language in which the candidate has succeded and the level(s) of membership is clearly indicated on the membership certificate.

The Wil Petherbridge Memorial Prize is awarded to the best candidate for Basic Membership, translating into Welsh, during the two examination rounds of the autumn and the following spring.

10. Interpreting Membership

Interpreting Membership signifies the achievement of a wholly professional standard and indicates that the member concerned is able to interpret fluently and correctly from Welsh to English in settings ranging from the most informal to the highly formalised. He/she is expected to possess a clear understanding of the cultural background of both languages.

Any translator with 200 hours experience of translating at meetings on a regular basis during the past five years may submit an application to take the Association's Interpreting test.