|
|
Abacus Chinese Translation Services have produced two CDs
(a Mandarin Simultaneous Interpretation CD and a Mandarin
Consecutive Interpretation CD) for prospective students to
practice their Mandarin simultaneous interpretation and
consecutive interpretation skills at home.
Please see Chinese Translation CDs for more information.
Currently, more than a dozen schools in the United States and
many more around the world offer translation and interpretation classes.
Some of them train students to be conference interpreters, while
others help students to obtain government issued translation and
interpretation licenses.
Although it is helpful for students to practice in a class
setting, when location and time do not permit, it is also useful
for students to be able to practice by themselves. This is
why Abacus Chinese
Translation Services provides a range of self-study books.
Please call 626-282-9186 for more
information. If you have any questions, please email us your questions, and we will answer them
as soon as we can. We will also post our replies here on
this page. Please do not call us regarding the classes
Frequently Asked Questions about Enrolling in Mandarin
Interpretation Classes
1) Are there any Chinese (Mandarin) interpretation classes
in Los Angeles for us to prepare for the upcoming certified
court interpreter's exam by the Judicial Council of California?
Yes, there are. The best one is offered by the LA Institute of
Translation and Interpretation, and you can reach them at
866-327-1004. Recently, more than 90% of all the people
who passed the exam in Los Angeles studied at the LA Institute
of Translation and Interpretation under Samuel Chong (who is
currently retired). The other
one is offered by the University of California Los Angeles,
Extension Program. Samuel Chong does not teach at the UCLA Extension
anymore.
2) What are the differences between the classes offered at
the LA Institute of Translation and Interpretation and University of
California Los Angeles, Extension Program?
Both schools offer a one year program. However, classes
at the LA Institute of Translation and Interpretation are more
flexible as you can pick and choose the classes you wish
to enroll in. Moreover, in the last 4 years, more than 90%
of all the people who passed the exam in Los Angeles studied at
the LA Institute of Translation and Interpretation under Samuel Chong.
On the other hand, the UCLA Extension program is less flexible
as you have to register at a
certain time and complete their one year program.
Samuel does not teach at the UCLA Extension anymore.
3) For classes offered at the LA Institute of Translation and
Interpretation, how many people have passed the State
certification exam?
Quite a few. In the last four years, more than 90% of the people who passed the
State interpreter's certification exam in Los Angeles
studied at the LA Institute of Translation and Interpretation.
4) Is the State interpreters' certification exam extremely
difficult to pass?
Well, it depends on how hard you study. In general, one
would need to prepare for at least a year in order to be ready
for the exam.
5) What's the format of the certification exam by the
Judicial Council of California?
There are two parts: the written part and the oral
part. For the written part, you can choose either to take
it in simplified Chinese or traditional Chinese. There are
155 multiple choice questions in the written exam. There
are 8 parts. The detailed format is written in my e-book
Chinese Translation and Interpretation: an overview.
For more information about the oral exam format, please refer to this book.
6) What's the rate of pay after one becomes certified?
The state courts pay the lowest, about $165 for half a day (3
hours) and about $280 for a whole day (6 hours). The
federal courts pay a bit higher. Translation and
interpretation agencies pay somewhere between $200 and $300 for
half a day or between $450 and $600 for a full day. Private and
direct clients pay between $300 and $450 for half a day
or between $550 and $900 for a full day.
7) Are there any schools that offer masters courses in translation?
Yes, Monterey Institute of International Studies in Northern
California. In Southern California, some schools also
offer courses, but
not for Chinese.
8) Is it possible to translate in other areas with the
certificate of court interpreter?
Yes, and you can also do translations. In terms of
recognition from other states, as far as I know, so far, with
the exception of Nevada, all other states accept and recognize
court interpreters certified by the State of California.
Why doesn't Nevada recognize California certified interpreters?
Because California does not recognize Nevada certified
interpreters. However, the State of New York accepts
California certified interpreters even though California does
not recognize New York State certified interpreters.
Please do not call us with questions regarding the classes.
Instead, please call 866-327-1004.
Frequently Asked Questions about studying for the Certified Court Interpreter's Test
1) About how long would it take to study on your own in
order to be ready for the qualifying test?
It depends on how fluently you can speak and translate from
English to Chinese and from Chinese to English. Normally,
a person who is relatively fluent in both languages will need a
year of study in order to be ready for the exam. Reference and
preparation books can be found at Chinese Translation Books
2) Are the materials on your website only for the California
test or for other states and federal tests as well?
Only for the California test and tests in other states (Tests
in other states are similar. California has probably the
most difficult exam). Federal courts do not have a Mandarin
court certification exam.
3) After the test, how would you go about getting a job as a
certified translator/interpreter? What is the job market like for translators/interpreters?
Please read my book, Chinese
Translation and Interpretation: an overview. It is
frequently updated, and it gives general but useful information
on the job market and opportunities for translators and
interpreters.
4) The "Chinese Translation and Mandarin Interpretation:
Self-Study Guide to Passing the Mandarin Court Interpreter
Certification Exam" book on your website is listed as
not-yet-published. How would I go about purchasing this book? Is
it only for California or for all states?
It will be ready in a few weeks. Please be patient.
Currently, it only follows the format for the exam in
California. We hope to increase the formats so that it
covers preparation for other state exams as well.
5) The same question as above for the "Chinese Translation and
Interpretation: Mandarin Court Interpreter Certification Exam
Samples" book.
See answers to question above.
6) Is there a discount if we buy all the materials listed on
your recommended list?
Yes, you will receive a 10% discount. The 10% will be
refunded to you.
7) Why is it that you don't seem to like answering questions
on the phone? (Because you asked us not to call you)
Although I am currently not teaching classes at the Los Angeles Institute of
Translation and Interpretation, I am extremely busy everyday.
People who want to get into the translation and interpretation
field ask me the same questions everyday. One person only
has 24 hours per day. I simply do not have the time.
Sorry if I sound irritated on the phone. I warned you
already, and I mentioned many times "Do not call us regarding
the classes". However, if you send me an email
with a list of the questions you have, I will answer them all.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
1) I'm someone who is contemplating a career change and I want
to become a court interpreter in Mandarin Chinese. Could you let
me know if you think this is a good field to go into? Is there
enough work for a freelance court interpreter? Is the California
court system hiring interpreters once they become certified by
the state? The available literature seems to indicate that this
is a good field to go into, but I don't know if it's true. What
kind of pay can I expect realistically?
Whether or not it is a good field for you to go into this
field depends
on many factors. Do you have an interest in translation or
interpretation? Are you curious and interested in meeting
different people? Are you willing to work under stress or
be challenged by difficult clients? Do you have
a scientific, financial, legal, or medical background? If
you send us your resume, we will be able to tell you if the field is
suitable to you.
There is enough work for freelance court interpreters.
However, many of them have a full time and part time job, just in
case of economic downturns.
The California court system hires full time employees once in
a while. However, it is based on a seniority list.
Most certified court interpreters, like the translators and
interpreters at our company, work as independent contractors.
As for the pay, please see the Frequently Asked Questions
above.
Chinese translation books are designed to help potential
Chinese translators or Mandarin interpreters to pass government
exams such as the court certified interpreters exam.
Chinese translation books focus on written translation.
Chinese interpretation books focus on oral interpretation.
Sample exams are also available.
Please contact us for more information.
Chinese name translation is a service that we provide to
professionally translate your name or your company's name into
Chinese. You will have the following two options
1) Have your name translated phonetically into Chinese
This is the most common method of Chinese name translation.
If you do your translation this way, people will recognize that
you are a person of non-Chinese origin.
2) Have your name translated by choosing a Chinese name for
you or your business
This method is frequently used by non-Chinese people in Hong
Kong or people who have lived in China for a certain period of
time. Examples are former Governor of Hong Kong
Christopher Patten, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, etc.
Chinese people normally have a higher level of respects for people who have
learned the language or tried to assimilate into Chinese culture.
Please contact us for more information.
Chinese Characters Translation
We can translate from Chinese characters into English, as
well as from English into Chinese characters. For example,
we may help you on such requests like how to translate "Happy
Birthday" into Chinese characters, or how to translate Chinese
characters on a painting into English. Our service is fast
and efficient.
Please contact us for more
information.
Chinese Symbols - Translation for Tattoos
We understand that when people want to get tattoos, they
sometimes wish to have some Chinese or Japanese symbols tattooed
on their bodies. Here, we will charge a nominal fee to
translate anything you wish for tattoo purpose.
Please contact us for more information.
|
