Objectives

The main objectives of the international network of simulated translation bureaus are:

1. to increase the amount of practical translation work in translator training programmes in reaction to and in line with the urge from the professional world, the accreditation organizations and the European Master in Translation (EMT) of the DGT to do so; and to include (aspects of) the  European Standard for translation services – EN 15038 – / the international standard for translation services ISO 17100 in the curriculum.

The following are minimal steps in the translation service process that should have a place in a simulated translation bureau (based on EN 15038:2006 / ISO 17100):

– client contact (e.g. with discussion of specifications, etc., final registration of arrangements, quotation);

– project preparation (e.g. analysis of project and availability of required staff and equipment, allocation of job to translator(s) and reviser(s), registration in work flow management system);

– translation process (e.g. translation, self-check by translator, revision by other translator, if needed check of target language text by domain specialist, final check, filling in and registering quality forms, registration of all steps in workflow management system);

– delivering the end product (e.g. check of client satisfaction, complaint procedure if required).

2. to give students the opportunity to practise the following competences needed by a professional translator in an integrated manner:

– translation competence (transfer source language text>target language text, textual analysis);

– linguistic and textual competence (including knowledge of conventions of text types);

– research competence (information mining and research strategies; gathering, analysis and well considered use of information);

– cultural and intercultural competence (building the bridge between source and target cultures, taking commissioner’s instructions into account);

– technical competence (handling translation-related software and ability to troubleshoot common problems with the software);

– professional competence (ability to justify translation choices, management skills, commercial / entrepreneurial skills, teamwork, client relations, PR and marketing skills).

The student should be able to use these competences in the roles of translator, reviser/reviewer, and/ or domain expert.

3. to provide students with translation experience before graduating in order to increase their employability and job opportunities;

4. to contribute to raising the quality of translation work by students, with special attention for professional quality requirements, including those of revision, reviewing, proofreading and compliance with client instructions;

5. to contribute to the standardisation of competences and assessment criteria for translation;

6. to contribute to a further standardisation of translator curricula and thus raising the status of the profession;

7. to build a joint international term bank for research (by students and staff) and teaching purposes (for assignments, classroom work and exams);

8. to build a joint international translation memory for research (by students and staff) and teaching purposes (for assignments, classroom work and exams);

9. to build a joint international database of texts for research (by students and staff) and teaching purposes (for assignments, classroom work and exams);

10. to stimulate (inter)national cooperation and collaboration (between students and staff) on any issues relevant to a simulated translation bureau.

International Network of Simulated Translation Bureaus