In this site, there has been an article about interpreter and translator jobs. This time, in this article we will get to know more about sworn translator job. This article will discuss the steps to be a sworn translator and the criteria of being a sworn translator in different countries.
When we are going to apply for a scholarship or submit documents for certain certification, we often see that the documents that we submit need to be translated by a sworn translator. Thus, it is important for us to have a little bit knowledge on sworn translator jobs so that we can choose sworn translator services which are valid and reliable.
What is a sworn translator?
In Indonesia, a sworn translator is a translator that has undergone Translator Qualification Test and passed it. Those who have passed the test, then, take their oaths in front of the minister that handles government affairs in the area of law and human rights.
Before the year of 2011, sworn translators took their oath in front of the DKI Jakarta Governor. Those who have taken their oath in front of the DKI Jakarta Governor can still hold their sworn translator license by reporting to the minister of law and human rights.
After taken their oath and reported themselves to the minister of law and human rights, the sworn translators need to apply for a certificate from the Indonesia Translator Association before they can work.
What documents do sworn translators need to translate?
A sworn translator is responsible for translating official documents. Those documents are not only limited to documents that are directly related to legal affairs such as laws, policies, and court documents. There are also documents which are created based on the law such as sale and purchase certificate, land deeds, cooperation agreement, etc.
Those documents do not only contain legal terms, but also other subject matters such as humanity, medical, environment, etc. Thus, a sworn translator needs to not only master legal terms but also terms related to other subject matters.
Why do sworn translators need to translate those documents? Why don’t we use regular translator to translate those documents?
Legal documents have legal power that affect those included in the documents. If in the future, there is a dispute regarding different interpretation of a legal document in a foreign language, only a sworn translator has the right to present as an expert witness.
A regular translator cannot present as an expert witness. That translator cannot be considered accountable for the translated document.
Who can be a sworn translator?
In Indonesia, all Indonesian citizens who are qualified and able to fulfil all requirements can be a sworn translator. Other than being an Indonesian citizen, a sworn translator candidate also needs to prove that he or she has never committed crime.
That candidate also needs to submit several documents such as ID card, family registration card, degree certificates, etc. The complete requirements to fulfil to be a sworn translator could be seen in the Republic of Indonesia’s Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation number 4 of 2019.
This regulation replaced the regulation of the Republic of Indonesia’s Minister of Law and Human Rights number 29 of 2016 about the Terms and Procedures for Appointment, Reporting and Dismissal of Sworn Translators.
The most important qualifications as it has been mentioned before is related to translation skills which require two languages mastery. Even though, a sworn translator candidate needs to master at least two languages, he or she does not need to graduate from a translation study program or linguistics, or any area related to languages and translation. They can be from any background of education.
It is worth noted that translating is not only about language mastery. Translating process also requires knowledge on subject matters that need to be translated.
It also takes knowledge and skills related to which translation techniques should be used and terms on the subject matters. Each subject matter has specific terms that cannot be translated literally. An example of how knowledge on subject matter is important is in the case of translating the word ‘resep’ in Bahasa Indonesia to English.
When the word ‘resep’ is in medicine, it is translated as prescription. When it appears in culinary, it is translated as recipe. Because there are many topics that out there, there are many sworn translators who choose to limit their translation area.
This way, they can really keep themselves updated on the issue related to subject matters and the terms in them.
What about in other countries?
The terms and regulation related to sworn translators’ appointment are different in different countries. In Turkey, a sworn translator candidate takes their oath in front of a notary.
Then, the appointment certificate is signed by the notary and the sworn translator that has just been appointed. Turkey also allows foreign citizens to be a translator if they fulfil all of the requirements and get the permission from the minister of domestic affairs.
Meanwhile, in Germany, requirements to be a sworn translator are different in different states. In general, those who are interested to be sworn translators need to graduate from translation majors. Then, those translator candidates undergo qualification tests.
If they pass the test, they will take their oath in their district high courts in the states where they want to work.
Similar to Germany, when someone would like to be a sworn translator in France, that person needs to have a degree related to translation. That person also needs to have an experience in translating document before applying to be a sworn translator.
After that, that candidate must report to the public prosecutor in the high court. After meeting all qualifications, sworn translator candidates will take their oath in the high courts in the area where they want to work.
Different from Germany and France, Brazil does not require a sworn translator candidate to hold a degree related to translation. Sworn translator candidates need to undergo a qualification test which consists of written and oral tests.
When they have passed the test, they are appointed to be sworn translators in the states where they live. A sworn translator in Brazil could only translate in the state where they live. However, their translation result is valid in all states around Brazil.
If you would like to see more information on how to be a sworn translator in different countries, you could surf the internet. Two most common requirements to be a translator across the globe are having good translation skills and never committing any crime.
Do you need a sworn translator service? Or do you want to know further whether or not you need a sworn translator service? You can contact PéMad. Our staff will gladly help you to figure out which service you should use.
References
- https://www.btsglobal.com.br/about-certified-translation/?lang=en
- https://www.bonnefous.com/en/blog/become-a-sworn-translator
- https://www.mygermanexpert.com/services/certified-translations
- https://ankarayeminlitercume.net/en/yeminli-tercume-nedir/
- https://www.hukumonline.com/klinik/a/prosedur-menjadi-penterjemah-tersumpah-cl3646
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