Professional Translator

The demand for skilled Spanish translators is skyrocketing as our world becomes more interconnected. With our dynamic Spanish translator certification course, you will acquire the essential skills to thrive in a career as an English/Spanish translator.

This translator certification course will equip you with the necessary expertise for career success and prepare you for the highly esteemed American Translators Association (ATA) certification exam. Whether you are new to the translator and interpreter field or seeking to expand your skill set in a related industry, completing an ATA-certified course can open exciting new opportunities and enhance your professional prospects.

Note: If you possess a bachelor's degree in translation, English, or Spanish, you will find this course suitable for preparing to take the ATA exam. If you are a candidate with a degree in other domains, this course serves as an introduction to the field of professional translation.

This online translation course focuses on the art of seamlessly translating written messages from English into Spanish and vice versa. Dive deep into the intricacies of translation, learning invaluable techniques to eliminate linguistic interference, maintain grammatical structure, and provide cross-cultural localization.

These skills will enable you to bridge language barriers and convey meaning with precision and cultural sensitivity—helping you achieve career success and stand out to future employers!

What you will learn

• Become a master in translating both English and Spanish, equipping yourself with the language skills necessary for a successful career as a professional translator
• Learn the art of transferring grammatical structures accurately, ensuring that the meaning and integrity of the original message are maintained in the translated text
• Develop the keen ability to identify and filter potential interferences in the original message, allowing you to provide localized and properly structured written translations
• Gain a deep understanding of cross-cultural differences that can impact the transfer of written messages, enabling you to navigate cultural nuances and ensure effective communication across languages
• Master the art of achieving proper grammatical and lexical cohesion in your translations, ensuring that the translated text flows naturally and coherently
• Develop the necessary skills to excel in translating spoken interactions

How you will benefit

• Launch your career as an English/Spanish translator with confidence
• Prepare for the American Translators Association (ATA) certification exam
• Provide professional translation services with expertise and precision
• Master the art of translating between English and Spanish

1. Principles of Translation
   1. Identification of potentially awkward transfers into Spanish
   2. Explanation of the various tools to filter any potential interference into Spanish.
   3. Class activities – Translation of selected passages into Spanish
   4. Interactive activities into Spanish
   5. Proper usage of Spanish grammar
   6. How prepositions change meaning in the transfer into Spanish
   7. Identification of potentially awkward transfers into English
   8. Comprehension of the message taking into account cross cultural differences
   9. Translation protocol – Abbreviations and proper nouns
   10. Class activities – Translation of selected passages into English
   11. Interactive activities into English
   12. Proper usage of English grammar
   13. Prepositions and how they can change the message into English.
2. Advanced Translation Skills – From Spanish into English
   1. General aspects of translations
   2. Equivalence at word level and False Cognates
   3. Context and translation
   4. False Cognates – Forms and function in language and translation
   5. Proofreading
   6. Genres in translation
   7. Types of meaning – expressive, connotative, attitudinal
   8. Translating spoken interactions
   9. Language and culture – cross cultural differences
   10. Class activities
   11. Interactive activities
3. Advanced Translation Skills – From English into Spanish
   1. Typical mistakes made by non-trained translators in the transfer into Spanish
   2. Prepositions and their impact on the transfer into Spanish
   3. Proper grammatical transfers into Spanish
   4. Translation of literary material into Spanish
   5. Ambiguity and redundancy
   6. Modulation
   7. Transposition
   8. Style and protocol in the transfer of abbreviations and proper noun
   9. Class activities
   10. Interactive activities

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader .
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Prerequisites:

You should have a formal education of at least two years at the university level in both languages. You should also be familiar with using a personal computer in a Windows or Mac environment. If you hold a bachelor's degree in English, Spanish, or Translation, you will find the translation program a suitable resource to prepare for the ATA exam. Those with a bachelor's degree in other areas should view the translation program as an essential first step toward their goal of taking the ATA examination.

Certification Requirements:

While not mandatory, most translators seeking certification will have a relevant degree or significant experience in translation. There are no formal educational requirements to sit for the exam, but a bachelor's degree in translation studies is often considered beneficial.

To register for the exam, one must be a member of the American Translators Association.

The exam is taken under proctor supervision to ensure integrity.

Raquel Albornoz

Raquel Albornoz is an experienced professional translator and university professor. Throughout her career, she has translated more than 100 books including "The Exorcist" by William Peter Blatty, "The Haj" by Leon Uris, "Contact" by Carl Sagan, and "The Rain King" by Saul Bellow. Albornoz was a full professor of Literary Translation for more than 25 years, teaching at the National Institute of Higher Education and the University of Belgrano in Argentina. She also served as Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Studies for the University of Belgrano from 2002-2015.

Alejandro Parini

Alejandro Parini is the Director of the School of Languages and International Studies at University of Belgrano, Argentina. He is also a professor of English linguistics and translation at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina and serves as a visiting professor at City University, London.

How much do translators make?

According to LightCast, the median salary for translators is $52,100 per year in the U.S.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

This course, combined with a bachelor's degree in English, Spanish, or Translation, will help you prepare for the American Translators Association (ATA) certification exam.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive nine (9) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available by phone. You can also call us at 1-855-532-7642 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.