ATA

ATA Certification Program

Certification Exam: An Informational Presentation

Presenters

Lilian Novas Van Vranken, chair, ATA Certification Committee, full-time freelance English into Spanish translator, Spring, TX.
Jutta Diel-Dominique, deputy chair, ATA Certification Committee, and freelance translator, Thornton, CO
Terry Hanlen, certification program manager, Alexandria, VA.


Abstract: Information about the American Translators Association’s certification program and the certification examination. The panel will respond to questions from the audience about certification policies and procedures.


1. WHAT IS ATA CERTIFICATION?

The ATA certification program was implemented in 1973. More than 2,000 ATA members are currently certified, many in more than one language pair. A testament to a translator’s professional competence to translate from one specific language to another, certification is awarded after a candidate passes an open-book examination administered under controlled conditions. Certification is available only to ATA members and remains valid as long as membership in the Association continues; certification automatically converts membership from associate membership to active or corresponding membership status.


2. SKILLS TO BE TESTED

The certification examination tests the language skills of a professional translator:

• Comprehension of the source-language text.

Criterion: Translated text reflects a sound conceptual understanding of the material presented.,

• Translation techniques.

Criteria: Translated text conveys the full meaning of the original. Common translation pitfalls are avoided. Dictionaries are used effectively. Sentences are recast appropriately for target-language style and flow.

• Writing in the target language.

Criteria: Translated text is coherent. Grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, usage and style are appropriate.


3. NATURE OF THE PASSAGES

There are three passages. Each passage contains about 225–275 words in English, or the equivalent in another language (e.g., 325–400 characters from the Japanese writing system). The passages present common translation challenges that may vary from one language combination to another. The level of difficulty is comparable to the level that professional translators would expect to see in their daily work.

One passage is mandatory for all candidates. This general text is written for the educated lay reader in expository or journalistic style.

Each candidate must also choose between two elective passages, one from the domain of science/technology/medicine and one from the domain of law/business/finance. These passages have the character of typical texts within these domains but should not contain specialized terminology or require mastery of a particular field.

A candidate should complete only two passages: the mandatory general passage and one of the two elective passages. If a candidate does not follow instructions and translates both elective passages, the ATA certification program staff will arbitrarily select one of the two for grading. A passage that is substantially incomplete is not graded.

4. GRADING

The exams are graded according to a point marking system. The grader identifies errors by category according to the long-established Framework for Standardized Error Marking. The grader assigns 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 error points for each error. This scale reflects experienced graders’ judgments about the relationships among different types of errors and about what sorts of errors might be allowed in a translation that meets ATA standards.

Old System:

minor error

major error
   

New system:

1

2

4

8

16
         

In addition, a grader may award quality points for specific instances of exceptional translation. (Quality points are not awarded for overall “artistic impression.”) Each exceptionally good rendition may be awarded one quality point, up to a total of three quality points per passage.

Examples of renditions earning quality points include

Any quality points are subtracted from the error point total to yield a final score. A passage with a score of 18 or more points receives a grade of Fail.

Although the use of points may impart a certain impression of objectivity, it is in truth still subjective. In no way is the score on each passage meant to be a percentage. An error score of 20 for example, does not mean that 80% of the passage is correct. The error score is simply a number that, along with the error scale that generates it, embodies the graders’ understanding of translation quality and certification standards.

4.1 Categories of Errors

An error will generally fall into one (or more) of the categories described below. Some renditions may involve more than one error.
Incomplete passage

A substantially unfinished passage is not graded. Missing titles, headings, or sentences within a passage may be marked as one or more errors of omission, depending on how much is omitted.

Illegible

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the graders can clearly understand what is written. Candidates are instructed to use pen or dark pencil and to write firmly enough to produce legible photocopies. Deletions, insertions, and revisions are acceptable if they do not make the intent unclear.

Misunderstanding of original text

This category applies when the grader can see—usually by back-translating the target-language text—that the error arises from misreading a word, for example, or misinterpreting the syntax of a sentence. In other words, the result is wrong because the translation was based on a misunderstood source text.

Examples:

Die große Versuchung, die die chinesischen Reichtümer auf die Hunnen ausübten…

The great temptation that the Chinese riches exerted on the Huns…

The great experiment [Versuch] that the Chinese kingdoms [Reiche] practiced upon the Huns…

The deal's complexity is mind-bending, involving six countries charged with putting down no fewer than nine guerrilla outfits that operate inside Congo.

Here, the phrase charged with means responsible for, not accused of.

Mistranslation into target language

The meaning of the original text is not conveyed properly in the target language. For example, a term in the translated text might be much more general (scientists instead of researchers, protein instead of albumin) or more specific (stallion instead of horse) than the original term. Mistranslations can also involve the choice of prepositions, the use of definite and indefinite articles, and the choice of verb tense and mood.

In the context of this examination, regionalisms should be avoided if a more generally used word is available. (Although graders should be alert to the possibility of regionalisms and make allowances for those they recognize or can identify by research, candidates are advised not to present them with unnecessary challenges.)

Addition or omission

Something is inserted that is not clearly expressed in the original text, or something essential to the meaning is left out. The tendency to insert “clarifying” material should generally be resisted. It is permissible to shorten the ponderous modes of expression that are common in some source texts, so long as the meaning does not suffer.

Terminology, word choice

This error often involves terms used in various technical contexts. In an article about a nuclear reactor, for example, the German word Brüter should be translated as breeder rather than incubator. This also applies to legal and financial contexts where words often have very specific meanings. In more general texts, the candidate might not have selected the most appropriate word among several that have similar (but not identical) meanings.

Register

The register (language level, degree of formality) of the source text should be preserved in the translation. Examples of errors include using everyday words instead of medical terms (spit instead of saliva), translating a legal text into a journalistic style, using the familiar rather than the polite form of address (French tu/vous, German du/Sie), and using anachronistic or culturally inappropriate expressions.

Too freely translated

Candidates are asked to translate the meaning and intent of the source text, not to rewrite it or improve upon it. The grader will carefully compare the translation to the source text. If a “creative” rendition changes the meaning, an error will be marked. If recasting a sentence—i.e., altering the order of its major elements—destroys the flow, changes the emphasis, or obscures the author’s intent, an error may be marked.

Example in English:

Because she was so sensitive, Susan thought her classmates were teasing her.
Susan thought her classmates were teasing her because she was so sensitive. (obscures meaning)

Example (German into English):

Die Entscheidung der baden-württembergischen Kultusministerin Annette Schavan, die muslimische Referendarin Fereshta Ludin, 25, nicht in den Schuldienst zu übernehmen, weil sie darauf besteht, auch während des Unterrichts ein Kopftuch zu tragen, hat herkömmliche ideologische Muster und Koalitionen in Deutschland durcheinandergebracht.

Sentence not recast: The decision of Baden-Württemberg Minister of Education Annette Schavan not to admit the Muslim teaching candidate Fereshta Ludin, 25, to a teaching position in the schools because she insists on wearing a headscarf even during class has thrown traditional ideological patterns and coalitions in Germany into a state of confusion.

Sentence recast acceptably: The Minister of Education of Baden- Württemberg, Annette Schavan, has decided not to accept the Muslim student teacher Fereshta Ludin, 25, for service in the schools, because she insists upon wearing a headscarf even while she is teaching. This decision has brought confusion to conventional ideological patterns and coalitions in Germany.

Sentence recast unacceptably: The decision of the Minister of Education of Baden-Württemberg, Annette Schavan, not to accept the Muslim student teacher, Fereshta Ludin, 25, into the teaching profession has muddled ideological patterns and coalitions in Germany. The reason is that she insists on wearing a headscarf while teaching.

Too literal, word-for-word translation

Translations that follow the source text exactly may result in awkward, often incorrect renditions. Translate literally when it works, but not at the expense of clarity and natural syntax.

Examples:

Dutch into English:

stond op het punt (was about to) translated as stood at the point of er is sprake van een syndroom (we are dealing with a syndrome) translated as there is talk of a syndrome
 
French into English:

Ne restez pas sous la pluie! (Come in out of the rain!) translated as Don’t stay under the rain!
 

False cognate

In some language pairs, this is the most common type of error.

Examples

Dutch into English:

advocaat (lawyer, counsel) translated as advocate proeven (to taste) translated as to prove stof (dust) translated as stuff
 
English into Spanish:

officials (funcionarios) translated as oficiales
application [form](solicitud) translated as aplicación
 

Indecision—gave more than one option

Graders will not choose the right word for the candidate. Even if both options are correct, an error will be marked. More points will be deducted if one or both options are incorrect. Candidates should not add clarifications unless readers from the target-language culture will surely miss the meaning without them; nor should they use asterisks, footnotes, brackets, or other hedging devices.

Example: Spanish: al comienzo ([al principio]

English: in the beginning [at first]

Inconsistency (same term translated differently)

In general, a term that is used consistently in the source text should be translated consistently into the target language. Conversely, if the source text uses different terms for the same idea interchangeably, the candidate should attempt to come up with a similar variety in the target language. (Of course, graders recognize that this is not always possible.)

Example (German into English):

Die Bäume flüstern es, die Gräser zischeln es, die Winde raunen’s.

The trees whisper it, the grasses rustle it, the winds whisper it. (Another option is murmur.)

Ambiguity: If the meaning is clear in the source text but ambiguous in the translation, an error may be marked. The reader should not have to puzzle out the meaning.

Examples in English:

To reduce risks to the human embryo, in-depth studies on suitable laboratory animals are needed. (clear)

In-depth studies on suitable laboratory animals are required to reduce risks to the human embryo. (ambiguous)

The probability of birth defects in humans increases as more animal species react with developmental defects. (clear)

The probability of birth defects in humans increases the more animal species react with developmental defects. (ambiguous)

Grammar

Grammatical errors include lack of agreement between subject and verb, incorrect verb tenses or verb forms, incorrect case of nouns, pronouns, or adjectives, and use of an adjective where an adverb is needed.

Syntax

The arrangement of words or other elements of a sentence should conform to the rules of the target language. Errors in this category include sentence fragments, improper modification, lack of parallelism, and unnatural word order. If incorrect syntax changes or obscures the meaning, the error is more serious.

Examples in English:

The cupboard was infested with moths that organic foods enjoy.

Climbing the mountain, the cabin came into view.

She skis, plays tennis, and rock climbing.

The from Berlin coming and now on platform 12 arriving express train is two hours late.

Punctuation

The conventions of the target language should be followed, including those governing the use of accents and other diacritical marks, quotation marks, commas, semicolons, and colons. Incorrect or unclear paragraphing is counted as an error.

Spelling

There is less tolerance of spelling errors in some languages than in others, for reasons that derive from the language itself as well as from the national culture. In all languages, a spelling error that causes confusion about the intended meaning is more serious.

Examples in English:

The student disagreed with the principle / principal.

The specialists agreed that systemic / systematic treatment was required.

The men set out early to peddle / pedal their bicycles through the town.

Also, if a word has alternate spellings (such as periodo or período in Spanish, scanner or scanneur in French), the candidate should be consistent throughout the passage.

Accents and other diacritical marks

The conventions should be followed consistently. If incorrect or missing diacritical marks obscure the meaning, the error is more serious.

Case (upper/lower)

The conventions of the target language should be followed.

Examples:

Cien años de soledad (correct Spanish title)
One Hundred Years of Solitude (correct English title)

die deutsche Sprache (correct German)
the German language (correct English)

UNESCO (correct English)
Unesco (correct Spanish)

Word Form

The root of the word is correct, but the wrong form is used.

Examples in English:

The product has been tampered with and is no longer safety.

los sitios de interés turístico translated as the touristic sites

The new Beetle is an economic car.

Usage

Correct and idiomatic usage of the target language is expected. Errors include use of the wrong preposition or misuse of a grammatical form.

Example in English:

He is married to (not with) my sister.

They were suspected of breaking (not to break) the rules.

I am going to take (not make) a walk.

He committed (not performed) a crime.

Style

If the source text is characterized by a distinctive manner of expression—flowery, staccato, conversational, instructional—this should be reflected in the translation. Awkward or clumsy renditions that obscure the meaning may also be penalized.


5. PLANNING AHEAD—A CHECKLIST FOR EXAM CANDIDATES

Be sure to arrive at the exam site on time. You should be there thirty minutes before the exam begins. You will be required to submit your exam at the same time as other candidates.

6. TAKING THE EXAMINATION

You may write the examination in capital letters, but if the words require accents or other diacritical marks when they are in lower case, you must include them. Also, if a word needs to be capitalized, you must so indicate by making the letter in question larger or underlining it.

A “clean” final copy is not necessary. Deletions, inserted words, and other revisions are acceptable as long as the translation is legible. It is your responsibility to ensure that the graders can clearly understand what you write.

All original exam passages, your examination, and all other paper (used and unused) must be returned in the sealed exam envelope. If you do not return all three exam passages, your exam will not be graded and the exam fee will be forfeited. Also, you will not be able to take another exam in that same language combination for the rest of the exam year.

7. TIME CONSIDERATIONS

You will have three hours to complete the exam. Plan to spend about ten minutes deciding which of the two elective passages you will translate in addition to the mandatory general passage.

Pace yourself so that you will have time to reread your translations for sense and for accuracy.

8. TIPS FOR CANDIDATES

Read both the elective passages before you decide which to translate. Do the dictionaries you brought cover the subject matter? Are there complicated sentences that will take time to untangle?

Working with a handwritten translation, instead of a word processor, may call for a different way of thinking. For example, it’s not as easy to go back and insert qualifiers in the right place. Think your sentences through before you write.

When you finish a paragraph, read it over to yourself. Does it sound right, or does it sound awkward and stilted? Will changing the word order make a difference?

Don’t make hasty last-minute changes unless you’re sure you made a mistake. If you’re undecided, it’s safer to trust your first instinct.

If a passage has a title, check back after you’ve translated the passage to be sure the title reflects the content. If the title carries a double meaning, you’ll want to include this in your translation.

Proofread carefully. Check

 

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