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Harvard University Graduate Joins Abacus Chinese Translation Services

Yang Shao, Ph.D. in Chemistry, a Harvard University Graduate, joins Abacus Chinese Translation Services as an independent contractor.  It results in a win win situation in which the company adds another highly qualified Chinese translator to its team while Mr. Shao is also able to provide services for one of the most professional Chinese translation companies in the United States.

December 19, 2009

Los Angeles.  Harvard University graduate Mr. Yang Shao agrees to provide services for Abacus Chinese Translation Services as an independent contractor.  A Ph. D. graduate from Harvard's Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department, Mr. Shao has devoted his recent years in the field of legal and technical translation and interpretation.  It is a newsworthy story because not many Chinese translators are Harvard University graduates, and as of December 2009, Mr. Shao is the only Harvard University graduate among the 42 certified Mandarin court interpreters in the State of California.

"In the last 5 years or so, only 42 people have become certified Mandarin court interpreters in the State of California, though thousands of them tried to pass the certification exam.  The exam is extremely challenging with the passing rate of 3% to 5%, much lower than the California Bar." Says Jenny Park, a certified Korean court interpreter, president of LA Institute of Translation and Interpretation.

"While there is a large demand for Mandarin interpreters in California, only about 50% of the candidates pass the written exam, and among those who pass the written exam, less than 10% of them pass the oral exam." Says Sunny Wang, a certified Mandarin court interpreter who recently passed the oral exam.  "We have not seen anyone with a Ph.D. from Harvard University yet.  Mr. Shao is the only one with chemistry and biology background.  That makes him even more precious".

"I think Harvard should be proud to have someone becoming a certified court interpreter in the State of California, because many Harvard graduates can become attorneys, but not many attorneys can pass the interpreter's exam." Half jokingly said Samuel Chong, a certified Mandarin interpreter in Los Angeles.

With Mr. Shao agreeing to provide Chinese translation and Mandarin interpretation services for Abacus Chinese Translation Services as an independent contractor, it creates a win-win situation.

"Abacus Chinese Translation Services only provides quality, professional, and certified Chinese translation and Mandarin interpretation services.  Mr. Shao and Abacus are both happy because we are all qualified."  Says Chong.

Meanwhile, other prospective court interpreters struggle to pass the California state exam as required by the Judicial Council of California. 

"So far, many of the existing certified Mandarin interpreters were trained at Monterey Institute of International Studies.  Some of them are graduates of National Taiwan University, the best university in Taiwan.  A few of them took courses in Los Angeles taught by Samuel Chong", says Sunny Wang.

While Samuel Chong no longer teaches, he suggests those who want to become certified court interpreters to study hard and take courses either at Monterey Institute of International Studies in Northern California or LA Institute of Translation and Interpretation in Los Angeles.  "These two schools provide high quality teachings that aim to help students to improve their translation and interpretation skills as well as to pass the exam." Chong says.

"Overall, the economy of China is growing.  There will be more demand for translation and interpretation services, either inside of the courthouse, or outside of the courthouse.  This is a recession proof field, and it also has a bright future."  Chong concludes.

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