ProZ.com Translation Forums

DipTrans 2012 Results | Thanks Tomás!

Liliana Marquesini — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:09:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Liliana Marquesini
Post title: Thanks Tomás!

Thank you very much for your comment. I have already sent an email to Susanne James asking for information about the services provided.

Otherwise, I will procceed with your second suggestion...

Thanks a lot !

DipTrans 2012 Results | Susanne James?

Tomás Cano Binder, CT — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:46:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Tomás Cano Binder, CT
Post title: Susanne James?

[quote]Liliana Marquesini wrote:
But I feel a bit better after reading your posts, since I have just recently decided to start translating, having spent all my life working in Science and with no a single humanistic qualification at all I managed to pass 2 out 3 papers and one of them with merit...I guess I shouldn't complaint much...[/quote]
I think you should be quite satisfied in these circumstances. :-) Of course there is a big linguistic/cultural component in every test of this kind, even the technical ones.

Something I would like to suggest is to contact Susanne James ( [url removed] ) and explain your situation. They have a very good name when it comes to preparing for the DipTrans and they might be able to suggest a suitable course of action.

Additionally, you might want to look for an experienced DipTrans (and/or MIL, and/or MITI) technical translator in your language pair and hire this person to do a battery of tests over the year, with contents and length similar to those of the actual paper and to be done in the same conditions of the exam (no online materials, limited time, appropriate balance of technical and linguistic challenges, etc.). This might help you pinpoint your areas of improvement and work on them.

DipTrans 2012 Results | preparation for technology paper

Liliana Marquesini — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:33:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Liliana Marquesini
Post title: preparation for technology paper

Hi,

I am trying to come to terms with the fact that I have failed to pass the TECH paper! It has been my debut at not passing a test :( .

But I feel a bit better after reading your posts, since I have just recently decided to start translating, having spent all my life working in Science and with no a single humanistic qualification at all I managed to pass 2 out 3 papers and one of them with merit...I guess I shouldn't complaint much...

I am now psychologically ready to start thinking about what to do next. Could anyone suggest me a good preparation course for the TECH paper? I did the City University and don't feel like doing the same one again. By the way, I asked for a re-mark, at least I will have a better idea of what went wrong.

Thanks and congratulations to the successful ones!

DipTrans 2012 Results | Yes, also 4 months

Tomás Cano Binder, CT — Sun, 20 May 2012 06:36:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Tomás Cano Binder, CT
Post title: Yes, also 4 months

[quote]geraldine16 wrote:
The iol took 17 weeks to return mine. Is the ata the same? I only passed one of the dip trans papers and am disappointed about having to take it again. Not because of the challenge, but because i really can't afford it, nor afford professionally to wait for the results or for the next exam date. :( [/quote]
Yes, ATA also takes 16 weeks to deliver the results. This long time is needed because graders are also active, very experienced, accredited translators, and you certainly want your test to be graded by successful translators since that will also give a measure of your chances of success when you win the accreditation.

Yes, I understand your concerns. It was a shock for me not to pass the DipTrans in the first go and have to take one of the papers again after 15 years of successful translation and after passing the ATA certification in the first go. The best advice I can give you is to prepare the best you can for the exam and try again, even if you can only do it once per year. I promise it will be a good investment in the long run and that it will pay when interesting customers start to get in touch once you have the DipTrans.

DipTrans 2012 Results | And the grading time?

geraldine16 — Sun, 20 May 2012 01:07:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: geraldine16
Post title: And the grading time?

[quote]Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:

[quote]geraldine16 wrote:
Thank you for the optimism, Tomas. :) I was wondering if anyone could tell me how the whole exam process of the DipTrans compares with the ATA examination. I am considering taking it in September (whether or not I pass the DipTrans). What is the exam like? Does it have a similar format? Is it equally as tough? Are the results as slow to arrive etc. [/quote]
I have passed both the DipTrans and the ATA certification and, as a very quick summary, I would say that both are very alike. I would say that ATA's graders focus more on your specialisation and terminology in the specialised papers, while IOL's graders care more about your global linguistic and translation skills even in the specialised papers.

For both exams, you should prepare thoroughly. Unlike IOL, which allows the use of a computer if your examination centre provides them, ATA is still in its very early stages in this matter and does not allow to use a computer on a wide scale (as far as I know).

I summarised my thoughts about how to prepare for the ATA exam here:
[url removed]

I hope this helps! [/quote]

The iol took 17 weeks to return mine. Is the ata the same? I only passed one of the dip trans papers and am disappointed about having to take it again. Not because of the challenge, but because i really can't afford it, nor afford professionally to wait for the results or for the next exam date. :(

Going back to school | Fantastic!

Javier Wasserzug — Sun, 20 May 2012 00:44:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: Going back to school
Poster: Javier Wasserzug
Post title: Fantastic!

Miguel, thank you so much again!! That is the kind of advise I was hoping to get...

No, of course. I has certainly to be EN->SP.

Anyway, I can’t help but to wonder... how many people can really claim effectively that kind of dual expertise?

Going back to school | Translation Certificate in both directions: Eng>Spa and Spa>English?

Miguel Carmona — Sun, 20 May 2012 00:18:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: Going back to school
Poster: Miguel Carmona
Post title: Translation Certificate in both directions: Eng>Spa and Spa>English?

[quote]Javier Wasserzug wrote:

Thank you, Miguel.

Professional Certificate in Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English)

[url removed]
[/quote]

Javier,

The problem I see with the San Diego University's translation program is that it is for bilingual people and the translation courses go in both directions Eng>Spa and Spa>Eng.

Would you be interested in that kind of approach?

If I took translation courses, it would be definitely only from my source language (English) into my mother language (Spanish), simply because Spanish is clearly my dominant language.

I have no idea how strong your English is, but unless it is nearly as good as your Spanish, it will be a waste of effort, effort that otherwise would be best used in just Eng>Spa studies.

The University of New York program goes in just one direction per curriculum (either Eng>Spa or Spa>Eng), i.e., if you want to go in the opposite direction, that is another set of courses leading to another certificate. Studies are more concentrated.

My humble opinion.

Miguel

Going back to school | the LINK

Javier Wasserzug — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:41:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: Going back to school
Poster: Javier Wasserzug
Post title: the LINK

Thank you, Miguel.

Professional Certificate in Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English)

[url removed]

Going back to school | New York University On-line Translation Certificate Program

Miguel Carmona — Sat, 19 May 2012 22:03:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: Going back to school
Poster: Miguel Carmona
Post title: New York University On-line Translation Certificate Program

Javier,

(The link you included in your post does not work.)

To answer your question, the New York University has an on-line Translation Certificate Program. I believe you would need 7 courses (at about US$695/course) to get your certificate.

I have read excellent comments regarding that program from former students. Looks like a very thorough program, with introduction to Eng>Spa translation, then specialized courses on legal, business, medical, technical Eng>Spa translation, etc., and they even offer internships.

And, for other people who may be interested, they offer the same courses for several other languages: Arabic, French, Portuguese and German.

Here is the link:
[url removed]

Good luck,

Miguel

[Edited at 2012-05-19 22:39 GMT]

Going back to school | Yes and no

Javier Wasserzug — Sat, 19 May 2012 18:34:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: Going back to school
Poster: Javier Wasserzug
Post title: Yes and no

Thank you, Edward.
Yes, I know all that.

And no, there is not much in my area...

Going back to school | what do you need / want?

Edward Vreeburg — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:01:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: Going back to school
Poster: Edward Vreeburg
Post title: what do you need / want?

Do you want an industry recognised piece of paper that says you are an excellent translator (and I'm not sure many diplomas do that, or many people ask for such papers when they want to have something translated)

Or do you do want to improve your translation skills
(in which case there are probably some specialst training courses in your area)

?

Unfortunately you are competing in an extremely competitive market and there will always be somebody who will accept the job at half your rates...

In my opinion knowledge comes with experience and feedback from happy clients would /could impress potential clients ... Showing your diploma just says you attended school,....

===

my 2 ct
Ed

Going back to school

Javier Wasserzug — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:49:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: Going back to school
Poster: Javier Wasserzug

For those who are students, finished a translation certification program, or involved with education for translators, I am looking for some advice.
I am looking for a certificate program for English-Spanish translation.
I need help deciding which one. I would like something not very long and with reasonable tuition fees.

There is a local Community College that has a program but I know first hand it is very basic.

I would like a not very expensive but demanding online program where I can learn. If the program is here, in the US, perhaps I could get financial assistance.
Where is the best place to look? What are the most important points I should consider?

Any recommendations?

For example, this one looks good.

What are the most important points to decide?

I am doing research but maybe I can get some ideas from the more experienced …

Thank you very much for any help!

DipTrans 2012 Results | Quite similar

Tomás Cano Binder, CT — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:42:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Tomás Cano Binder, CT
Post title: Quite similar

[quote]geraldine16 wrote:
Thank you for the optimism, Tomas. :) I was wondering if anyone could tell me how the whole exam process of the DipTrans compares with the ATA examination. I am considering taking it in September (whether or not I pass the DipTrans). What is the exam like? Does it have a similar format? Is it equally as tough? Are the results as slow to arrive etc. [/quote]
I have passed both the DipTrans and the ATA certification and, as a very quick summary, I would say that both are very alike. I would say that ATA's graders focus more on your specialisation and terminology in the specialised papers, while IOL's graders care more about your global linguistic and translation skills even in the specialised papers.

For both exams, you should prepare thoroughly. Unlike IOL, which allows the use of a computer if your examination centre provides them, ATA is still in its very early stages in this matter and does not allow to use a computer on a wide scale (as far as I know).

I summarised my thoughts about how to prepare for the ATA exam here:
[url removed]

I hope this helps!

DipTrans 2012 Results | ATA tests versus DipTrans tests

Miguel Carmona — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:51:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Miguel Carmona
Post title: ATA tests versus DipTrans tests

[quote]geraldine16 wrote:

Thank you for the optimism, Tomas. :) I was wondering if anyone could tell me how the whole exam process of the DipTrans compares with the ATA examination. I am considering taking it in September (whether or not I pass the DipTrans). What is the exam like? Does it have a similar format? Is it equally as tough? Are the results as slow to arrive etc. [/quote]

Wow Geraldine, you read my mind! I have been wondering about the exact same thing for a long time, even this morning!

Let's hope that those who have been through both certification processes can can contribute to this very interesting question.

DipTrans 2012 Results | Your experience of DipTrans compared to ATA

geraldine16 — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: geraldine16
Post title: Your experience of DipTrans compared to ATA

Thank you for the optimism, Tomas. :) I was wondering if anyone could tell me how the whole exam process of the DipTrans compares with the ATA examination. I am considering taking it in September (whether or not I pass the DipTrans). What is the exam like? Does it have a similar format? Is it equally as tough? Are the results as slow to arrive etc.

DipTrans 2012 Results | Be patient!

Tomás Cano Binder, CT — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:37:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Tomás Cano Binder, CT
Post title: Be patient!

[quote]geraldine16 wrote:
I'm still waiting for my results and now a little tired of the treatment from CIOL. I'm going to put pressure on them to implement a more modern system of notifying their examinees of results and I invite you all to do the same. When I was at university, more than ten years ago, we were notified of all our exam results online. I cannot believe that it can be more cost effective, more efficent, and safer to send results by mail in the UK and, in particular, throughout the rest of the world. [/quote]
I know how this feels. Had to endure it twice, and thought the same you are thinking now. But I promise you: once the results arrive, you will forget about this proposal. It just happens. I hope the results really make it quickly to your end.

DipTrans 2012 Results | Still waiting...

geraldine16 — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:22:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: geraldine16
Post title: Still waiting...

I'm still waiting for my results and now a little tired of the treatment from CIOL. I'm going to put pressure on them to implement a more modern system of notifying their examinees of results and I invite you all to do the same. When I was at university, more than ten years ago, we were notified of all our exam results online. I cannot believe that it can be more cost effective, more efficent, and safer to send results by mail in the UK and, in particular, throughout the rest of the world.

Is in-house translator a dying breed? | thousands of in house translators

Mohammad Khan — Sat, 12 May 2012 10:58:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: Is in-house translator a dying breed?
Poster: Mohammad Khan
Post title: thousands of in house translators

Here in Afghanistan there is so much translation going and there is no concept of freelance translation. Almost every public and private office has one or more than one in house translators.

So it all depends on which pair you working in.

Mohammad

DipTrans 2012 Results | People tend to fail their main paper

Tomás Cano Binder, CT — Sat, 05 May 2012 06:52:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Tomás Cano Binder, CT
Post title: People tend to fail their main paper

[quote]Emma Goldsmith wrote:
I've just got my results - and I passed 2 out of 3 papers. The funny thing is that I failed the one that I was quite confident about passing (the general one) and passed the two I wasn't at all sure of (Technology and Social Sciences).[/quote]
Well, just imagine how I felt when I failed the Technology paper... after 15 years of successful technical translation. Luckily I got a Merit in my second go, so all things are settled.

DipTrans 2012 Results | Thanks

Daisy Maglia — Sat, 05 May 2012 04:41:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Daisy Maglia
Post title: Thanks

[quote]Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:

During the year in which I only had two papers in score, I did refer to the Letter of Credit in my CV. I think you can simply state "Chartered Institute of Linguists' Letter of Credit in the Diploma in Translation examinations year **XXXX** in **SourceLang** to **TargetLang**". If you got a particularly good mark in the papers you passed (Merit or Distinction), state so. Most informed outsourcers will know that this is already a high level of qualitification, although you should not stop trying to achieve the full diploma! :-) [/quote]

Tomás, thank you for your answer 

DipTrans 2012 Results | Spanish to English

geraldine16 — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:23:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: geraldine16
Post title: Spanish to English

[quote]Emma Goldsmith wrote:

I've just got my results - and I passed 2 out of 3 papers. The funny thing is that I failed the one that I was quite confident about passing (the general one) and passed the two I wasn't at all sure of (Technology and Social Sciences).
I may well ask for a re-mark, as Tomás advises, and see what happens.
Congratulations to everyone who passed and especially to Haluk for his fantastic marks! [/quote]

Hi Emma,

We both chose the same papers! This makes me feel better. I wasn't sure about Tech or Soc Science either. Mainly because of the printing terminology and the topic of the Soc Science one, which I never really completely understood. (Something about poverty and community and the recognition of community something or other) I think I might have failed the general one because of a terrible rendering of "demachupizar" which I've thought about every day since the exam. Other than that, I think it was OK. Still awaiting results here in Mexico!

[Edited at 2012-05-04 20:46 GMT]

DipTrans 2012 Results | Results at last

Luce Boissel — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:03:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Luce Boissel
Post title: Results at last

I got the results on Monday, and was really happy to discover I had passed all three papers, with one Merit and one Distinction for the General paper. I did the City preparation course too, and found it quite usefull, especially as it really shows you the kind of translation you are going to deal with on the day of the exam.

Good luck to those who have to resit the exam next year, and congratulations to those who passed !

DipTrans 2012 Results | Results!

Emma Goldsmith — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:39:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Emma Goldsmith
Post title: Results!

I've just got my results - and I passed 2 out of 3 papers. The funny thing is that I failed the one that I was quite confident about passing (the general one) and passed the two I wasn't at all sure of (Technology and Social Sciences).
I may well ask for a re-mark, as Tomás advises, and see what happens.
Congratulations to everyone who passed and especially to Haluk for his fantastic marks!

DipTrans 2012 Results | DipTrans exam is like a practical driving test

Kasia E Slobodzian-Taylor — Fri, 04 May 2012 07:52:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Kasia E Slobodzian-Taylor
Post title: DipTrans exam is like a practical driving test

[quote]Haluk Levent Aka wrote:

[quote]Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:

...

But it IS a big deal if you ask me. Congratulations!! [/quote]

Thank you! Actually, it was sort of sarcastic, hence the GODDAMMMN :)

I am so happy particularly because last year I passed Unit 1 and 3, even had a distinction in Law in Unit 3, but failed Unit 2. I was so upset. I have been translating for 16 years now. And business is my specialty, but I failed in business paper... Go figure! I must admit I really felt inferior... And this pass finally ends one year of feeling bad for me :) [/quote]

Failing one of the Units can make you feel that you are not good enough for the job, especially if you have been translating for some time. I tend to compare the DipTrans exam to a practical driving test. How many of you passed it first time? Sometimes, it is just a matter of luck. This is especially true given that during the exam you are expected to produce a good translation in an artifical, isolated environment, which seldom happens in the real life. Not being able to use your own computer, digital dictionaries, the Internet etc. or consult a colleague/expert in the field may sometimes have a great impact on the quality of your translation. So, all of you who were less lucky this year, please do not be too hard on yourselves. Your clients are your most accurate critics.

P.S. I am still waiting for my results.

DipTrans 2012 Results | Thank You!

Haluk Levent Aka — Fri, 04 May 2012 07:23:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Haluk Levent Aka
Post title: Thank You!

[quote]Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:

...

But it IS a big deal if you ask me. Congratulations!! [/quote]

Thank you! Actually, it was sort of sarcastic, hence the GODDAMMMN :)

I am so happy particularly because last year I passed Unit 1 and 3, even had a distinction in Law in Unit 3, but failed Unit 2. I was so upset. I have been translating for 16 years now. And business is my specialty, but I failed in business paper... Go figure! I must admit I really felt inferior... And this pass finally ends one year of feeling bad for me :)

DipTrans 2012 Results | Yes!

Tomás Cano Binder, CT — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:05:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Tomás Cano Binder, CT
Post title: Yes!

[quote]Haluk Levent Aka wrote:
I don't want to make it sound like a big deal but,,, GODDAMMNNN!!! I passed :) with one merit and one distinction :)[/quote]
But it IS a big deal if you ask me. Congratulations!!

DipTrans 2012 Results | I did

Tomás Cano Binder, CT — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:04:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Tomás Cano Binder, CT
Post title: I did

[quote]Daisy Maglia wrote:
Just a question to the ones who didn't get the Diplom but have passed one or two papers : do you mention the letter of credit on you c.v. ? if yes, how ?[/quote]
During the year in which I only had two papers in score, I did refer to the Letter of Credit in my CV. I think you can simply state "Chartered Institute of Linguists' Letter of Credit in the Diploma in Translation examinations year **XXXX** in **SourceLang** to **TargetLang**". If you got a particularly good mark in the papers you passed (Merit or Distinction), state so. Most informed outsourcers will know that this is already a high level of qualitification, although you should not stop trying to achieve the full diploma! :-)

DipTrans 2012 Results | Ehm...

Haluk Levent Aka — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:01:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Haluk Levent Aka
Post title: Ehm...

I don't want to make it sound like a big deal but,,, GODDAMMNNN!!! I passed :) with one merit and one distinction :) That whole process was surely way more difficult than I anticipated. Congrats to all those who passed and I wish the best of luck next year to all those who failed (and please do not worry, it is really a difficult exam).

DipTrans 2012 Results | Re-mark

Daisy Maglia — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:15:00 +0000

Forum: Professional development
Topic: DipTrans 2012 Results
Poster: Daisy Maglia
Post title: Re-mark

[quote]. It might be worth doing it (it has a fee of course) if you are really sure that you did not do that bad. I did so in one of my papers the first time I took the exam, and got a pass in the paper in question, leaving only one last paper for my second try (which I passed in 2011).

[Edited at 2012-05-03 08:36 GMT] [/quote]

Hello Tomas,

I am glad to hear this because I was just thinking of asking for a re-mark and your comment convinces me to do it. I have passed two papers out of three and the one I have failed seemed to be the easiest one for me. Even if I get a fail after the re-mark, I guess I will at least learn something about what I did wrong.

Just a question to the ones who didn't get the Diplom but have passed one or two papers : do you mention the letter of credit on you c.v. ? if yes, how ?

Thanks in advance and congratulations to all of you !

Daisy