Certification from the American Translation Association

[Puerto Rico]

Is anyone certified by the American Translation Association? I'm looking for the practice tests (English to Spanish or Spanish to English). They are $50.00 each through their website, for a total of $200. I really don't have it. muchas gracias.

[lrtranslator]

I did not take the practice tests and, yet, I passed the exam. You will need an excellent bilingual dictionary, like Oxford's, a few pencils, a pencil sharpener and a Lyons eraser, that's all. I took it twice. On the first occasion I took eleven (11) dictionaries with me and dragged them all around the UPR campus until I found the examination room. By then, I was exhausted. On the second, and definitive occasion, I took it in Miami and had only one dictionary. My best advice is to select your two pieces to translate, do one and then the other, then go back to the first and review, review, review. Repeat for the second text. Take your time, there is plenty of time.

[Puerto Rico]

Why did you have to take the test twice? So, they let you bring a dictionary with you? That's nice. Which one do you recommend?
muchas gracias,

[lrtranslator]

Why did I take it twice? Because it is difficult!!!!!!!

Yes, they allow dictionaries but only in book form. No electronic dictionary, palm, computer, telephone, or anything like that.

After the first time, when the names of the successful examinees were published in the ATA magazine, I noticed that only one passed the exam. He proceeded "sin prisa pero sin pausa", until the very last minute. I remember him writing, erasing and rewriting. And that is what I did on the second occasion, and it paid off. The first time there were 10 of us; only one passed. The second time there were close to 50, only 4 passed, I among them.

If you have any questions, concerns or doubts, or if you need any advice do not hesitate and contact me.

Good luck!

[Puerto Rico]

Muchas gracias por contarme de tus experiencias tomando este examen. Pues yo estoy tratando por todo los medios de encontrar por lo menos uno de los examenes de práctica, para ver a lo que me voy a enfrentar. You know? I might end up buying them from ATA, but it's $50 each passage. Will see! gracias nuevamente.

[marcuz29]

Well, Are there really online courses for that? I hope i could take that and test myself.hmm.Hope to pass!!

[lrtranslator]

marcuz, I do not know of any online courses for the ATA exam. I have not seen any or heard about any; you can write to ATA and ask. If you find some I can take a look and tell you my opinion. One thing I know, it is not a matter of courses, it is a matter of knowing your native language almost to perfection, knowing the source language almost as well, translating so the translation reads like an original.

The exam is very hard and it is difficult to pass the first time. You could take it just to get a taste of it and see whether you are prepared. You must be a member, however, and you must prove that you have been billing for translation jobs for 3 years prior to becoming a memeber. But before you do that and invest/waste your money, there are thousands of language tests online. I suggest you start by taking tests in your language, just to see where you stand. Then take online tests on the other language. There are bilingual books, one page in one language, the opposite page in the other language. I believe they are great, and a humbling experience indeed. Work for about a year seriously perfecting your knowldege and skills, and worry about the ATA exam later.

[HUMBERTO-SC]

If you have any questions, concerns or doubts, or if you need any advice do not hesitate and contact me.

Good luck!

thanx for the info translator. My queston is: do tarnslator need to be US citizens or residents in order to apply for the certification? how much is the test fee?

thank you again

[lrtranslator]

Humberto, I don't see residency or citizenship among the requisites. I don't think you have to be either but you can ask them directly. Write to: [email protected]
There is plenty of information about the certification process. Visit: http://www.atanet.org/certification/...t_overview.php

[seeker50]

Just to clarify a bit:
It is not American Translation Association but American Translators Association. And I don't think a U.S. citizenship is required for a translator to apply for the test which Humberto was referring to, nor is it required the U.S. residency,as far as I know.
I just took a quick look at the ATA webpage and it doesn't put on view any information concerning this matter. So, Humberto, feel free. Go ahead. And may God help you achieve success(I've known that the vast majority of the first-time-applicants do not get to first base). Most likely, I'll go behind you...

Regards,
seeker50.