Like other jobs, translation faces a series of daily myths and misconceptions. Here are some of the most common myths and misconceptions.
Translation Misconception No. 1: Translators are people who know a foreign language
A person who speaks and writes a foreign language fluently is not automatically a translator. Such a person can help in private situations like travelling. However, a professional translator with specific knowledge and skills is hired for business needs. A translator is not a person who only translates the meaning of a word or sentence into another language (different from the mother tongue) but transfers the meaning from one language and culture to another.
Also, if a person knows a foreign language at the C2 level or has learned a foreign language by watching a series on TV, this does not mean that they can be called a translator and can work somewhere as a translator. Such a person still has a lot of work to do regarding training and gaining work experience.
Most professional translators are highly educated and have received additional training and education in translation, linguistics, some particular fields, oral and written translation techniques, and translation tools. Of course, let’s not forget to add experience. (such as me for legal translations).
2. Most translators translate books
Although books are often translated, they are a small part of the translation services. However, most translations are done for the manufacturing sector, ICT industry, health services, law and finance.
3. Translation is done quickly and easily
Yes, the translation can be done quickly and easily if the person is skilled and capable enough. However, each person understands ‘quickly and easily’ in their own way, so it is recommended that you agree on the translation deadlines with your translator. Every quality translation requires a certain amount of time to be created; it also requires computer processing in various computer programs so that the translator can deliver a translation with an appearance similar to the original.
Translators are not graphic editors; they try to provide a translation as close to the original as possible. For example, you will slow the translation process, making it more expensive and difficult if you deliver the original to the translator as a mobile phone photo. Sometimes, the translation can’t be graphically as similar as possible to the original, and certain concessions must be made. This means that the translation you receive may not visually match the original text, but it will be translated to the highest quality standard. If you need someone for a fast, professional and high-quality translation, you can contact me here.
Sometimes, clients have unrealistic demands, such as translating a large amount of text of 200 pages over the weekend. Still, it should be kept in mind that the interpreter or translator always has the right to remove an unrealistic request that they know cannot be completed in such a short period, and in addition to the above, working on weekends, outside working hours and in case of emergencies increases the price by 50%.
4. Texts can be submitted to the interpreter in any format
Following the previous misconception, there is also the misconception that the texts can be delivered to the interpreter in any format and even photographed only with a mobile phone (often in poor lighting conditions and near other household items). Therefore, it is recommended that you provide the documents to the interpreter in a format suitable for graphic processing and processing through translation tools. Then, the processing is faster, simpler and more favourable for you.
Nowadays, you can access your documents easily by scanning a QR code and through the e-citizen system.
5. A court interpreter works in court and translates texts for judges
Permanent court interpreters participate in court proceedings, but not in a way that they sit next to the judges and translate documents for them, but interpret or translate a spoken or written text from the Croatian language into a foreign language, from a foreign language into Croatian (or from one foreign language into another foreign language) if the court deems it necessary.
Croatian institutions, courts, notaries, banks, etc. require a written certified translation of a particular document or its oral interpretation. Authorized translators perform such a translation: court interpreters for a specific language who do their translation under oath and certify it with a stamp and signature.
6. Interpreters and translators translate words
Another misconception about translation is that only words are translated one by one. If that were true, there would be no need for translators because anyone could type a word into Google Translate and translate it into any language.
The translator’s job is not only to translate a word but also the meaning of expressions, sentences, and everything per the language and culture into which they are translating. To be able to do this, translators need to be constantly educated, they need to know very well the language and culture into which they are translating, and they need to practice their skills regularly.
7. Translators only put a stamp; they ignore the content
Translators are not public notaries, which means they cannot take a piece of paper and put their seal and certification. What differentiates translators from court interpreters is precisely dealing with the content of the text on paper.
Furthermore, clients cannot translate the text themselves and ask translators and court interpreters to put their seal and certification because this also requires a process of control, proofreading and corrections, which also takes a lot of time and effort, and in general, it is easier, simpler for every translator and translate the text faster.
Also, the clients cannot translate the text themselves in Google Translate and ask the translator or court interpreter to review the text for them, proofread it and put a seal and certification. The court interpreter is responsible for everything where she puts her stamp, signature and certification.
In the same way, when the translation is completed, clients must not change according to their preferences or at their discretion.
8. Translators work in Google translate
A misconception about translation is that translators use tools such as Google Translate. But that is not true. Translators have been trained and educated and have a wide range of knowledge and skills necessary for quality and professional translation, and where possible, adequately adapted to the target market.
In addition, translators do not review other people’s translations, do not correct them, etc. Each translator is responsible for their translation and guarantees its quality.
9. Translators can change the content during translation according to the wishes and preferences of the clients
NO! Changing a document is an immoral act and a criminal offence. Articles 278 and 279 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Croatia, regulate prison sentences for forgery of documents.
10. Translators perform the entire application process of students on Erasmus
No, translators can translate all the necessary documentation into the desired language. They can refer to the institutions that need to be visited to obtain the required documentation, but that’s where their role ends. Translators are not personal mentors for students or other persons applying for various foreign programs but translate certificates, diplomas and other essential documents that need certification.
11. Court interpreters make apostilles of documents
Municipal courts issue Apostilles, and if there is no agreement between the Republic of Croatia and another country regarding the Hague Convention, then the document must be legalized/entrusted in a full legalization procedure at the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration of the Republic of Croatia. This confirms the authenticity of the stamp and signature of the official on the document but not the content of the document. A court interpreter handles the content of the document and its translation.
The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, as well as Croatian diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad, are authorized to legalize documents in international circulation (documents issued abroad that will be used in the Republic of Croatia, i.e. documents issued in the Republic of Croatia that will be used abroad).
You can find out more about this on the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration website.
The translation must be translated and certified by the court interpreter appointed in the county where the Apostille is requested.
12. Oral and written translation is performed in the same manner
A big misconception is that oral and written translations are the same. Speech is used for oral translation, and writing is used for written translation. These are two different types of translation performed by the same person. Sitting in a booth, turning on the microphone and speaking is not enough for oral translation.
Detailed preparation is necessary for that specific situation and client (such as studying presentations, preparing a specialized vocabulary for this purpose, etc.) because the topics are particular and demanding (e.g. terms from geodesy, terms about wines, oil and derivatives, terms from banking, labour law, etc.). Also, interpreting requires retaining information in short-term memory and learning and honed note-taking skills and techniques that help them recall specialized terminology quickly and promptly.
On the other hand, written translation requires exceptional writing skills and computer-aided translation tools.
13. Translators work for free or for a price you agree on
Translators make a living from their work and have bills to pay like everyone else, so it would be unrealistic to expect them to do their translations for free. They may sometimes do something pro bono, but that is the exception, not the rule. Translators and court interpreters do not set their prices according to their wishes, but they are defined by the Rulebook on permanent court interpreters.
The translation price is €19.91 per standard page of text (1500 characters) + 30% more if certification by a court interpreter is required, not just a simple translation, i.e. a total of €25.88 per standard page.
Also, translators and court interpreters do not work within the office for free legal aid.
14. Machine translation will replace human translation
It will not. Machine translation leads to an increasing need for human translation. No matter how advanced technology is, it will never have human intelligence, understand and think like a living being, or completely replace men; it can only serve as an aid. Language is not and will never be an algorithm, and translation always requires human control.
Artificial intelligence cannot have a personalized approach to language translation issues, nor can it culturally adapt expression and expression, nor can it sense differences in synonymy (there is no absolute synonymy) nor understand polysemy (multiple meanings of words). Since people nowadays often use various artificial intelligence services, they increasingly see their mistakes and come for “repairs” to real human translators, which wastes time and money.
15. The job of a translator is less and less in demand, and it is more and more challenging to get a job as a translator
On the contrary, in the era of the global economy, the need and demand for translators is increased. Private and other documents are translated and everything needed for business. You can find a list of my services here.
Translators are involved in all industries, so the importance of their role increases daily. They participate in the growth of the global economy; international business cannot be imagined without them. High-quality and expert translators stand out from their competition because they emphasize quality translation over other parameters.
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I hope this text has given you a more profound insight into the daily myths and misconceptions about translation we translators encounter. Contact me here if you need a translator for private purposes or business.
