The Ministry of Education (MOE) is preparing to introduce translation proficiency tests and a national translation proficiency certification system in an attempt to upgrade industry quality.
Saying that economic growth and globalization has stimulated demand for professional translation and interpretation services in Taiwan, the director of the ministry's Bureau of International Cultural and Educational Relations, Chang Chin-sheng (
The bureau expects to introduce such a system early next year, while trials are scheduled for the end of this year.
Chang made the remarks at a two-day seminar held to discuss professional translation accreditation and certification.
The event, which commenced yesterday, was hosted by the the National Institute for Compilation and Translation.
In the first stage of the plan, Lan Shun-teh (
An adjunct professor at National Taiwan Normal University, Lai Tzu-un (
Lai said that publishers do not currently trust ordinary translators to handle specialist material, resulting in a severe difficulties in getting technical and academic materials translated, even while there are plenty of translators looking for work.
"We all envy the high quality and availability of texts in translation in Japan; they have that because their translators are treated as respected professionals," she said.
The need to professionalize and pursue high-end work is a recurring theme, Chang said.
machine translation
Machine translation, such as Google's free translation service, is the future of bulk translation, he said. However, he added, he does not think translators should see machine translation as a threat.
"This tool can help real translators. By increasing productivity, our time will be freed to do higher-level work," he said.
Among topics to be discussed a the seminar today will include the English translation of public signs, use of computers as aids for translators and qualifications of those who will be administrating the national examinations.
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