Espresso Translations offers sworn translations in numerous language pairs and our client base benefits from a network of court-approved translators across the globe. If you are considering becoming a sworn translator in the UK you must understand how a sworn translator works, the qualifications needed and what kind of work you will be undertaking.
What is a “sworn translator”?
A sworn translator is a professional who carries out translations from one language into another with the added certitude of swearing an oath in front of a court or public official attesting to the accuracy of the translation. This lends the translated document the same legal weight as the source document, something which does not apply to certified translations or even those signed by a notary public.
Sworn translators must go through rigorous training although the exact nature of this varies from one country to another. Some countries require sworn translators to be registered on an official list while in other jurisdictions this is not necessary. The UK does not require sworn translations so there is no such list or register in the United Kingdom although sworn translators such as those within the Espresso Translations network offer services in this country. For example, embassies, consulates and foreign public bodies may require sworn translations of documents for legal, immigration or identification purposes.
Documents which have been translated by a sworn translator bear the signature and stamp of the translator. The translation is also accompanied by an affidavit verifying the accuracy and precision of the translated document in relation to the original
What does a sworn translator do?
The work of a sworn translator is similar to that of any other accredited translator in that it involves document or file translations from one language into another. However, beyond the translation process, the procedure differs with a sworn translator taking the original document and the translation to the relevant authorities where they swear an oath that the translation is a true and faithful representation of the source document or file. This confers legal document status on the translation which is not the case with a certified or notarised translation.
Attached to the official translation is an affidavit also known as a sworn statement, which is signed and stamped by the translator and records their unique registration number. In order for the translated documents to maintain their legal status, the affidavit must remain attached to the translation. If any part of the source document, translation or affidavit is removed or detached, the sworn translation is no longer considered the legal equivalent of the original document.
Unlike other types of translation, a sworn translator bears legal responsibility for the accuracy and truthfulness of the translated document and can be held criminally liable if it is found to be inaccurate or imprecise.
Also Read: What is a sworn translation?
What qualifications do you need to be a translator?
To work as a professional translator, you typically need to have formal qualifications in a language other than your native tongue. Many people obtain a language Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree and then gain experience working in a translation company. Others opt for specific translation studies such as a translation degree. You should also have experience in a relevant field which could be legal, administrative or commercial so that you have the background and knowledge to carry out specialized translations.
Translation skills may come easily to someone who is naturally inclined toward a career in linguistics or those who are teaching languages but this will still require translator certification before taking on a professional translator role. As long as you can demonstrate the necessary language skills and obtain the required credentials you can start gaining translation experience, professional expertise and procedural knowledge within the translation industry.
Once qualified, you can apply to join a professional translator association such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists or the Institute of Translation & Interpreting. Being a member of a recognised national accreditation authority for translators and interpreters in the UK will help open up opportunities for work as a professional translator.
What do you need to become a sworn translator?
We don’t have sworn translators in the UK so there are no defined steps that you can follow to become one. However, if you have advanced translation skills and are already a certified translator, you may want to look into becoming a sworn translator elsewhere.
Some countries like France require you to have a residence in the country and you will need to be added as a sworn translator to the official register. In other countries such as Sweden, there is no requirement to have a residential address. Different countries have specific requirements when it comes to becoming sworn so it is advisable to research the country that you wish to work in to make sure you can meet the important legal requirements. It’s worth noting that it’s not possible to work as a sworn translator through an embassy or consulate in the UK.
In the UK, a certified translator is sufficient for all official documents and their work is accepted by all government agencies, public authorities, education institutions such as universities as well as the legal profession.
Preparation for the certification exam
If you want to provide sworn translations for official purposes abroad you will need to pass the country-specific translation certification process and there are some steps you can follow to help you achieve that. Depending on the country or jurisdiction that you want to work in, you should research the specific qualifications you’ll need to have and study for any exam or assessment. Not only will you need to prove your fluency in the specific language but also your subject matter experience such as translating legal, medical or technical documents.
Documents needed for application
When presenting for the exam to become a sworn translator, you will need to provide identity documents such as a birth certificate or passport and information about your level of education such as any relevant certificates, diplomas or degrees. A fee is payable and you will typically need to provide proof of payment before you can take the exam. There will also be a registration form to complete and take with you. While these are general obligations, there may be a difference in requirements depending on the country you are in, so it is necessary to check exactly what you will need in advance.
Examination and assessment procedure
The examination and assessment process varies from country to country, but in general, you must prove your professional competence in at least two languages. A university degree in foreign languages, official certification of translation studies or proof of work as a translator, while registered with an official organisation, will be needed. The assessment will test your oral, listening, reading and writing skills in the source and target language. You will also need to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in your chosen field whether that is legal, commercial, technical, medical or another area of expertise.
How long does it take to become a sworn translator?
To become a translator in the UK, you will typically need a degree which takes three years if you study full time. Your degree may be in languages or it may be a specific translation degree. Following your graduation, you will need several years of work experience which will help you find a niche for your translation work.
Once you gain at least five years of professional experience as an accredited translator, you can consider working abroad as a sworn translator. The process you will follow to become a sworn translator will depend on the language, country and field that you wish to work in. However, in general, you must demonstrate that you are free of any criminal conviction, have never been bankrupt, are between 18 and 70 years of age and are available for work.
An example of the procedure to become a sworn translator in France is as follows:
- Apply to the Tribunal de Grande Instance in the district you live in before March 1st of each year
- Your character will be investigated by the police and your information verified
- The application will be forwarded to the chief justices of the commercial and labour courts for their opinion and then sent to the attorney general before finally being sent to the president of the court of appeal.
- If accepted you will be invited to the court of appeals in your district to swear an oath
You are now a sworn translator with the right to work in France as such and your work carries legal weight in the whole country. Your name will be added to the official list of sworn translators and available in the directory of sworn translators-interpreters as an expert witness for the courts of appeal.
What jobs are available for sworn translators?
The work that you undertake for translation, original document translations, identity documentation such as a marriage certificate, or language interpretation depends on where you work and whether you operate as a freelance translator or under the aegis of a translation agency.
Sworn translators work in collaboration with the courts, lawyers and police providing support for interrogations, hearings, file translations and other legal proceedings. They also offer services to the general public for the translation of official documents such as driving licences, birth, marriage and death certificates, academic transcripts and wills. For business clients, sworn translators can work with various corporate documents, translate contracts, accounts, article of corporation or annual reports.
How much does a sworn translator make?
To be a successful translator, you must provide a high quality translation for every job you undertake. Your reputation as a sworn translator depends on you delivering an exemplary and professional translation service and this will be reflected in the amount of work you receive. Of course, the more work you have as a result of your good reputation the more you will earn.
If you are fluent in multiple languages and have accreditation for each language you can translate, the wider your potential customer base will be. The more languages you can professionally work in, the greater your potential earnings will be. However, in some countries, it is only possible to be approved as a sworn translator in one source language.
As a sworn translator, you can either choose to work freelance or for a translation agency. Working for yourself means finding your own clients but you also get to keep the whole fee. Having a contract with an agency means that you have a steady stream of work but the agency will take their portion of the client’s fee.
How much does a sworn translation cost?
At Espresso Translations, we offer sworn translations from £50 plus VAT with a fixed per-word pricing format. We also provide a free, no-obligation quote for your translation project so you know exactly what you will be paying.
Several factors will determine the final price that you pay. These include:
- Language pair, unusual or rare language combinations will cost more
- Length of the document
- Content of the file or document e.g. very technical or specialised language and terminology will take longer to translate and cost more
- Formatting e.g. translating stamps and seals or working with complex file formats
- Number sworn translations needed
Each sworn translation will be different so the best way to find out how much your project will cost is to request a quote via our online contact form, by email or by phone. You will receive the quote within an hour of your request.
Also Read: How much does a sworn translation cost?
What are the responsibilities of sworn translators?
The responsibilities of a sworn translator are conferred on them by the relevant government authority that oversees sworn translators in each country that operates this system.
Sworn translators are not only expected to provide an accurate translation, they are held to be legally responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the translated document or file. This is unique in the translation industry as other certified translators cannot be held criminally accountable if their translation is shown to be inaccurate, imprecise or incomplete but a sworn translator can be. This is because they have sworn an oath in front of a court or public official attesting to the accuracy and faithfulness of the translation as a representation of the source document. If the translation is found not to be accurate or complete, the translator can be charged with perjury.
Confidentiality on the part of the sworn translator is also hugely important as they are often dealing with personal, sensitive or official documents. The need to be discreet and respect the privacy of the client’s documents and files while adhering to data protection legislation is vital.
Sworn translators must retain the official and legal validity of the translations required by faithfully replicating the formality, tone, language and content in the target language. They must also demonstrate impeccable subject matter knowledge, foreign language fluency and attention to detail for all legal translations.
To remain legally valid in the eyes of the law, all sworn translations must be accompanied by and attached to a sworn statement or affidavit which bears the translator signature, stamp and date of the translation. This is necessary for it to be considered a sworn translation and the legal equivalent of the original document or file.
