Interpreters, Translators and cultural consultants
In this section we have collected some useful resources for language service providers. Find out more about:
- Interpreters
- Translators
- Cultural Awareness
- National Occupational Standards
- European Language Portfolio
- Language Trends 2005
- Sources of Professional support
- Professional associations
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Guides for business
Interpreters are used to translate what is being said. They are used in meetings or for visits by overseas delegates.
Look at the booklet Understand translation and interpreting for more advice - download the booklet (840 kb pdf)
Translators take written text and translate it into another language. They normally charge per thousand words-so to translate five pages of a website into a European language would cost about £115. A technical translation or a language like Arabic or Chinese will cost more-from £130-£160 per thousand words at 2009 prices.
To get the best value from a translator,
- Get three quotes
- Ask how quickly they can provide the translation and to give you
examples of similar work they have carried out - Check that they have Professional Indemnity Insurance.
Look at the booklet Adapt my brand, communications and packaging for an overseas audience - download the booklet (616 kb pdf)
This helps you to be aware of the do’s and don’ts of carrying out business in other countries. Often a little understanding of local culture and customs can go a long way. Body language, gestures, dress code and etiquette can all be different. Adapting to these differences needs information, advice and empathy.
You could attend events eg those run by UKTI often have a speaker who will give advice about business etiquette or you can use various websites for more information - visit the UKTI South West website
Companies that can give more specific and in-depth training include:
Arab-British Chamber of Commerce – www.abcc.org.uk
China-Britain Business Council – www.cbbc.org.uk
Japan - email hilary.frank@btinternet.com
Kwintessential - in particular for Arabic culture - www.kwintessenital.co.uk
Look at the booklets on International Communication Planning or Intercultural Skills - download International Communication Planning booklet (720 kb pdf)
- download Intercultural Skills booklet (620 kb pdf)
National Occupational Standards
National occupational standards are statements of the skills, knowledge and understanding needed in employment. CILT, the National Centre for Languages has responsibility for maintaining and developing these standards in languages for work and standards for certain specialist language professions.
The National Language Standards are the scale of competence for languages in a work setting and can be used by course providers in development of their work-related programmes.
The National Standards in Interpreting and the National Standards in Translating are standards frameworks which define a competent performance in interpreting and translating.
For more details about the National Language Standards, visit the CILT website.
European Language Portfolio
The UK adult/vocational European Language Portfolio (ELP) has been developed for use by adults who are learning languages for professional or social purposes. First published in summer 2002, the ELP has been distributed to approximately 13,000 learners in adult, further and higher education, business language learners and students following vocationally-related language courses.
For more details about the European Language Portfolio visit the CILT website.
Language Trends 2005
A survey of language and cultural service providers was carried out by CILT, the National Centre for Languages in spring 2005, by means of a questionnaire sent via e-mail to all registered BLIS Professionals providers based in the UK and with an e-mail address. 150 responses were received, representing 16% of the sample.
Read the results of the Language Trends survey on the CILT website.
Useful links for professional linguists.
Professional support
There are a number of organisations and resources which can support you and your services. We've highlighted some important ones here.
Professional associations
If you want to network and ensure your credibility as a language service provider, you really need to be connected with organisations that look after the interests of language professionals. The key ones are listed below.
- Association of Sign Language Interpreters
- Association of Translation Companies
- Chartered Institute of Linguists
- Institute of Translation and Interpreting
- International Association of Conference Interpreters
Professional indemnity insurance
Think of the far-reaching consequences to a business of an error being made in the translation of an important business contract - or the significance of a word being misinterpreted in a key business negotiation.
Professional indemnity insurance is an insurance policy which you are recommended to take out if you are operating at a serious level as a language provider, especially as a translator or interpreter. The level of indemnity cover that you require as an individual would depend on your annual 'estimated' turnover. As a general guide, somebody starting out as a freelance translator would expect to pay something in the region of £130.00 (approximately) for a year, providing them with up to £100,000 of cover.
Guides for business
The Regional Language Network South West together with UK Trade & Investment have produced a number of guides which introduce employers to the different aspects of language service provision and show them how to commission a good service. You could use these to promote the value and importance of the work that you do.
Download the guides for business from our Publications section.
