Agency asks me to sign Translator's certificate Thread poster: Sonja Tomaskovic (X)
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Sonja Tomaskovic (X) 
Germany
Local time: 02:41
English to German
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Hi there,
I did a proofreading job for a translation agency last month. Now they asked me to sign a Translator's certificate.
I am a bit worried since the certificate says:
"I, XXX , Translator, working for YYY, hereby declare that I am fully conversant with the ENGLISH and ZZZ languages and am a competent linguist thereof. I declare further that I am solely responsible for checking the translations provided and to the best of my knowledge, the completed document... See more Hi there,
I did a proofreading job for a translation agency last month. Now they asked me to sign a Translator's certificate.
I am a bit worried since the certificate says:
"I, XXX , Translator, working for YYY, hereby declare that I am fully conversant with the ENGLISH and ZZZ languages and am a competent linguist thereof. I declare further that I am solely responsible for checking the translations provided and to the best of my knowledge, the completed document is a true and correct translation of the ENGLISH original."
To sign or not to sign is the question.
What would you do?
Thanks and regards,
Sonja ▲ Collapse
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| Is this a UK agency? | Sep 8, 2003 |
Sonja Tomaskovic wrote: Hi there, I did a proofreading job for a translation agency last month. Now they asked me to sign a Translator's certificate. I am a bit worried since the certificate says: "I, XXX , Translator, working for YYY, hereby declare that I am fully conversant with the ENGLISH and ZZZ languages and am a competent linguist thereof. I declare further that I am solely responsible for checking the translations provided and to the best of my knowledge, the completed document is a true and correct translation of the ENGLISH original." To sign or not to sign is the question. What would you do? Thanks and regards, Sonja
I've been asked in the past by UK agencies to sign similar certificates for translations that I have either translated myself or proofed for the agency. I believe that this is the UK equivalent method for a "beglaubigte Übersetzung".
My qualm in this particular case is the word "translationS". If it is only one translation, then this should be singular, if they mean the translations to which this certificate applies then the wording of the certificate should be changed accordingly.
HTH
Alison
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Sonja Tomaskovic (X)
Germany
Local time: 02:41
English to German
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TOPIC STARTER | Thanks for your comments. | Sep 8, 2003 |
Thanks to both of you, Alison and Tayfun.
Yes, it is a UK agency.
Actually, I remember that there were two files that I had to proofread, so I believe translationS refer to these two files. But thanks for pointing that out, Alison.
And, don't worry, Tayfun, I proofread into my mother tongue.
I was just a bit worried that signing such a certificate could hold me liable for indemni... See more Thanks to both of you, Alison and Tayfun.
Yes, it is a UK agency.
Actually, I remember that there were two files that I had to proofread, so I believe translationS refer to these two files. But thanks for pointing that out, Alison.
And, don't worry, Tayfun, I proofread into my mother tongue.
I was just a bit worried that signing such a certificate could hold me liable for indemnification or anything.
Thanks again.
Sonja ▲ Collapse
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| I'd make sure it listed specifics | Sep 8, 2003 |
When I sign this kind of certification, I make sure it lists specifics, such as (in the case of documents) some identifying number, or at least a pretty specific description of the job. So, instead of "the translation" I would write something like "the attached original Chinese birth certificate number 12345" or "the attached original Spanish contract between ZYX Corporation and Mr. BBB dated 0/0/0000".
Here in Taiwan, where everyone uses "chops" (personal and corporate stamps) it'... See more When I sign this kind of certification, I make sure it lists specifics, such as (in the case of documents) some identifying number, or at least a pretty specific description of the job. So, instead of "the translation" I would write something like "the attached original Chinese birth certificate number 12345" or "the attached original Spanish contract between ZYX Corporation and Mr. BBB dated 0/0/0000".
Here in Taiwan, where everyone uses "chops" (personal and corporate stamps) it's even better -- you sign the certification, and then the chop is applied on the edge of the all the pages, fanned out, including the certification, so that each page gets a bit of the image. That's to prevent anyone adding or taking anything away afterwards. Of course chops are supposedly forge-proof, which I doubt in this computer age, but that's how it's done here. ▲ Collapse
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| Totally agree with Terry .... | Sep 8, 2003 |
Very good point. I always do the same, lising all the documents I translated and / or proofread and accept liability for the linguistic part (accurate, full and complete translation).
Elana
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Pat Jenner (X)
Local time: 01:41
German to English
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I'm a bit concerned about the 'solely responsible' bit. Surely there is some onus on the agency to give the text some sort of proofreading before sending it off to the client? None of us are perfect, after all.
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invguy
Bulgaria
Local time: 03:41
English to Bulgarian
| I guess 'solely responsible' is OK | Sep 10, 2003 |
AFAIU, it means that you assume the full responsibility about the evaluation(s) you provide. For instance, in the case of controversy, your having asked (and eventually having been misled by) the renowned expert XYZ cannot be an excuse. The responsibility for the expert's judgement is yours, because you are the one who has chosen the expert - and this is fair, methinks.
Heck, even a KudoZ answer with 100 'agrees' can't be an excuse... ... See more AFAIU, it means that you assume the full responsibility about the evaluation(s) you provide. For instance, in the case of controversy, your having asked (and eventually having been misled by) the renowned expert XYZ cannot be an excuse. The responsibility for the expert's judgement is yours, because you are the one who has chosen the expert - and this is fair, methinks.
Heck, even a KudoZ answer with 100 'agrees' can't be an excuse...)
I'd sign this one, Sonja; however, I'd take into account Terry's remarks which are spot-on, indeed. ▲ Collapse
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