A language access timeline for interpreting on the West Coast

Interpreting is a professional field. What was once done by whoever was bilingual now has an established certification process. There are less and less reasons to work with unvetted providers. This timeline tells the story on the West Coast, where I live. I am from Oregon, where I am certified as a healthcare interpreter and [...]

By |2020-05-18T12:39:24-07:00May 17th, 2020|Advocacy, Certification, Interpreting, Translation|

Steps for language proficiency testing

Why would an interpreter or translator take language proficiency testing? Though these are not exactly translation tests, we can't interpret or translate what we do not understand or what we can't express accurately. These tests do not include the step of transferring meaning. However, they do cover issues of syntax, clear writing, and understanding the [...]

My Testimony on HB 4115

I support this bill, since it improves the provision of language access for the Limited English Proficient population of the State of Oregon. A professional workforce is essential for providing quality services. Other medical services all require accreditation to perform their work. Nurses, doctors, psychologists are required to be licensed or accredited to perform their [...]

By |2020-02-04T22:53:33-08:00February 4th, 2020|Advocacy, Certification|

Practice texts for translation

The following are examples of texts that clients often need to be translated: Manuals. Forms, service change notices, application materials. Medical, court, or other legal documents. Flyers, posters, signs, brochures. Marketing materials, advertising campaigns. However, this course leads to certification. Therefore, we need to prepare for something that will prepare participants to translate any and [...]

By |2019-12-03T10:36:53-08:00December 3rd, 2019|Certification, Translation|

Gaucha Thanksgiving update

This is an overview of things I care about. It covers government contracting, life, employment status, and how to prepare to have a professional profile. All of this is connected... Happy reading! Employment classification In California and New Jersey there is a lot of discussion about employment classification and its ramifications. This is a complex [...]

By |2020-03-10T14:19:42-07:00November 26th, 2019|Certification, Helen Eby, Translation|

Gaucha Translations translation course: 40 hours with a third-party exit exam

Why give a certificate? Over the years, people have attended our class for many reasons. In 2019, one student said she attended our class because a client needed proof that she had taken translation training. We did not expect this. Significantly more than 12% of our students pass the ATA certification exam. Most of those [...]

By |2019-11-25T09:01:31-08:00November 25th, 2019|Certification, Translation|

Interpreting, translating, supporting the profession

We completed another year of translation training! Daniela Guanipa joined me as co-trainer all year. Spanish writing: 10 sessions, September to November. Preparation for the ATA Spanish translation certification exam: 17 sessions, January to May. What do the students who finished the course say? They have become much better translators over the 17 weeks of [...]

By |2019-06-17T20:57:12-07:00June 17th, 2019|Certification, Interpreting, Spanish, Translation, Writing|

Preparing a Translation for Submission to the United States Government

Many documents that are submitted to U.S. Government agencies must be submitted along with a statement indicating that the translator is skilled to perform their task. This can be called a translator’s statement, statement of accuracy, certification, translator’s declaration, etc. I’ll call it a “translator’s statement” here as I dive into the requirements that you [...]

By |2019-04-16T11:47:11-07:00April 16th, 2019|Certification, Ethics, Translation|

The making of a professional interpreter or translator

Interpreters must have oral and reading skills in both languages, and translators must have writing skills in the target language as well. We can’t interpret or translate what we can’t understand or what we can’t say/write. What does it take to be a professional? Translational action, the skill of taking the message from one language [...]

By |2019-03-15T09:17:35-07:00March 26th, 2019|Certification, Interpreting Standards, Translation Standards|
Go to Top