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What is the ABRATES Translator Accreditation Program and what is its use? |
Accreditation makes it easier for the translator to communicate to clients regarding his or her qualifications and professionalism. Through stating that accreditation is held, the translator is giving the information that his or her qualifications have measured up to the standards of the Brazilian Association of Translators. Accreditation through a Professional Association is a common practice in our profession. This information may represent an advantage in obtaining work and clients, since it may decisively influence the client's choice. In many countries, a program has been adopted for proving that the translator has had his or her qualification recognized beyond the school benches: ATA (United States), NAATI (Australia) and CTIC (Canada), for example. It also should be remembered that, in many other countries without accreditation programs for translators, there are instead government programs for nominating public or sworn translators. Such programs are frequently carried out in countries like Argentina, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Germany and Mexico, for example, which means that sworn translators are trained practically every year. In Brazil, public translators are nominated by means of a public competition held by each State's Board of Trade. How long is it since the last time there was a public competition for sworn translators in your state? In the State of Rio de Janeiro, for example, the last public competition was held more than twenty years ago... The last public competition in the State of São Paulo was held five years ago.
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Translator Accreditation Program - continued |
| Thus, apart from the rare public competitions for public translators, there is no government program for certifying the professional's qualifications. And it is not unreasonable to think that, if there were, it would certainly resemble ENEM (the national high school quality examination) or the university entrance examination. We do not believe that this solution would be appropriate for good professionals (whether or not they were trained in a university-level teaching institution) who are practicing translators and keep themselves up to date, study, invest and, ultimately, seek professional betterment. The Accreditation Program in Brazil is offered and administered by an association of translators, ABRATES, by means of a practical evaluation, in contrast to programs in several other countries that are state-run or aimed at sworn translators, or programs that are based only on training courses. In Brazil, it is a program made by translators for translators. This is a factor that makes your participation worthwhile, regardless of the other virtues of Accreditation. What are the characteristics of the Accreditation Program and why is it appropriate for the professional translator? The Accreditation Certification is conferred on the translator after passing a specific test, held under controlled conditions. The tests are prepared and marked by an Examining Committee composed of professionals of recognized suitability and competence in various fields. Examine the Program Regulations and the Criteria for Marking and Acceptance, which are available on the ABRATES site. It must also be emphasized that the tests are marked by the Committee without identifying the translator, and that only the names of candidates who pass are released. It should always be remembered that ABRATES prides itself on the transparency and seriousness with which its Accreditation Program is administered. Find out about the Accreditation Program and take part! Colleagues who are interested in receiving a sample copy should send an e-mail to abrates@abrates.com.br. |
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