Quality Standards and Translation (Part 1)

बेनीपुरी की यादों में - Mahendra Benipuri- In the memory of Rambriksh Be...

Are we prepared for this change taking place in India

If we study carefully, we notice that languages have been the core of nation building in almost all countries of the world. After independence of India in 1947, the Indian constitution experts did a great job by giving equal rights to all the languages in India. Unfortunately, the ruling English speaking elite (hardly 1 percent of the India population) of India took the power and ignored millions of non- English speakers. They continued to formulate policies only in English thereby creating a big divide for information access. The poverty in India lies not only in terms of money and resources but also in terms of access to information.

The new Primer Minister's (Modi) assertiveness towards Hindi and other Indian languages gives hope to a large number of population of India who were ignored my English speaking elite. There is nothing against English, but this new government certainly gives hope to people for using their languages. This will certainly boost morale of the common population and pride in their own language and culture.

One simple change towards giving equal status ( not on paper but in practice ) to all official languages in India (currently 30), is certainly going to change the whole dynamics of translation business not only in India but the whole world.

Read complete article here:

http://www.hindicenter.com/hindi-translation-news/101-hope-rises-for-hindi-translators.html

Ravi Kumar
www.hindicenter.com

Growing importance of Translation in India

Nowadays the demand for translation and language related services has increased exponentially. Translation is not only needed for the promotion of literature and cross cultural activities, it has become an essential tool for keeping pace with the globalization phenomenon which is inseparable from technology and localization processes.

The role of Translation becomes more critical when companies with global reach need to contact in real time their customers in local languages. Therefore, it is quite evident that over the past decades, localization has progressed from being an added effort by some software publishers to a multi-billion dollar professional industry. Localization, web site globalization, language engineering, and software internationalization have become important issues for companies that want to market and sell their products in international markets. In many cases, localization has proven to be the key factor for international product acceptance and success.

Translation, localization, IT and Technology have added unprecedented dynamism in economic, social and cultural activities across the globe. India, being one of the major players, has undergone revolutionary changes within its economic, social and cultural systems giving way to Informational Technology and Business Process Outsourcing. The steady economic growth and reforms have helped Indian economy attract record inflow of Foreign Direct Investment and joint ventures creating a high demand for language consumption in local languages as well as foreign languages. It is important to note that Languages being essential tools of communication have also undergone fundamental changes in order to be part of essential determinants of economic changes. Therefore, language learning is not merely a natural acquiring process; rather, it has become a specialized field that needs professional

training and technological integration.

Therefore, translators can no longer rest on their laurels but, like any other service provider, must continuously upgrade themselves by coming to terms with an ever developing technology (including IT resources such as CAT tools and project management tools) and adapt to increasingly stringent professional demands involving good commercial practices, project management processes, terminology management, development of quality standards and effective client services.

It follows that there is an urgent need to identify the gaps and take effective measures by providing required training to language professionals, translators, interpreters and other stake holders including service providers and service takers and make best use of the immense opportunities being offered in this area.  

Language and Translation in India: A Talk by Ravi Kumar

General Information: Indian Translators Association

By Ravi Kumar (Founder President, Indian Translators Association)

Registered office:

K-5/B, LOWER GROUND FLOOR, KALKAJI, NEW DELHI -110019
Tel: 011-26291676 Fax: 011-41675530 E-mail: info@itaindia.org
Web: www.itaindia.org

Indian Translators Association is a society registered under Societies Registration Act (XXI) of 1860. It is a non – profit making body being promoted by 17 founder members who have jointly put in their efforts, money, time, staff, infrastructure and other necessary resources to promote a social cause for the betterment of Indian Translation community.

The Association shall work towards promotion of Translation, Interpretation, Language Teaching and Localization activities in India and abroad by creating a strong network and a vibrant common platform of individuals, agencies, companies and institutions by encouraging and supporting individuals and groups working in this direction and taking all the steps that may be required for the necessary legal compliance to facilitate and create environment to achieve the same.

Indian Translators Association (ITAINDIA) seeks to unite the wide-spread translators and interpreters community of India to a common platform where one can address common issues for betterment of the industry and has the potential to bring literary, cultural and commercial benefits to the individual translators and interpreters as well as nascent Indian Translation Industry in general.

ITAINDIA also aims at becoming the voice of Translators and Interpreters of India by increasing its membership base, upgrading knowledge and capabilities of its members, creating quality control awareness, following the code of professional conduct and constantly acting as an interface between government bodies and all possible corners of Indian Translation Industry.

It also intends to take the Indian Translation Industry to the world forums by becoming associated with global translation organisations, including International Federation of Translators (FIT) and seeks to get recognition from UNESCO and various international bodies. Many positive steps have already been taken in this direction and one can expect the outcome of these endeavours in the near future.

ITAINDIA has large plans to organize support events for conferences, round table discussions, seminars, symposia wherein the leading translators, interpreters, terminologists, theoreticians, educators and other language experts can participate and voice their concerns and initiate possible improvements in the promotion of languages.

Benefits of Membership

Two-way communication is one of the foremost benefits of ITAINDIA membership. Member organizations are encouraged to contribute their calendars of events, news notices, relevant articles, research results, etc. to ITAINDIA publications, which all members receive.
Member organizations are encouraged to read and further disseminate the information they receive from ITAINDIA to help their fellow translators and interpreters keep abreast of the developments and opportunities in India and the globe.

ITAINDIA offers members:

The opportunity to publish articles in its publications
The opportunity to disseminate their own news and notices
Targeted advertising in ITAINDIA Publications.

Contact with like–minded translators, interpreters, agencies, institutes and the opportunity to exchange:

Mailing lists
Commercial information about the language market
Information about technology, standards, good practices, professional profiles and status.
Opportunity to win recognition by nominating candidates for the ITAINDIA Prizes.
Contact with ITAINDIA committees, and
The opportunity to serve on ITAINDIA committees.


Code of Professional Conduct

INDIAN TRANSLATORS ASSOCIATION encourages service providers as well as service takers to follow a Code of Professional Conduct and Business Practices.

For Service Providers

As a Translator/Interpreter or representative of my company, as bridge for ideas from one language to another and one culture to another, I commit myself to the highest standards of performance, ethical behavior, and business practices.

I will endeavor to translate or interpret the original message faithfully, to satisfy the needs of the end user(s). I acknowledge that this level of excellence requires:

Mastery of the target language equivalent to that of an educated native speaker,

Up-to-date knowledge of the subject material and its terminology in both languages,

Access to information resources and reference materials, and knowledge of the tools of my profession,

Continuing efforts to improve, broaden, and deepen my skills and knowledge.

I will be truthful about my qualifications and will not accept any assignment/s for which I am not fully equipped to handle.

I will safeguard the interests of my clients as my own and divulge no confidential information.

I will notify my clients of any unresolved difficulties. If we cannot resolve a dispute, we will seek arbitration.

I will use a client as a reference only if I am prepared to name a person to attest to the quality of my work.

I will respect and refrain from interfering with or supplanting any business relationship between my client and my client’s client.

For Employer or Contractor

As an employer or contractor of translators and/or interpreters, I will uphold the above standards in my business. I further commit myself to the following practices with translators and interpreters:

I will put my contractual relationship with translators and interpreters in writing and state my expectations prior to work.

I will adhere to the agreed terms, payment schedules, and agreed charges, and will not capriciously change job descriptions after work has begun.

I will deal directly with the translator or interpreter about any dispute. If we cannot resolve a dispute, we will seek arbitration.

I will not require translators or interpreters to do unpaid work for the prospect of a paid assignment.
I will not use translators’ or interpreters’ credentials in bidding or promoting my business without their consent or without the bona fide intention to use their services.

For translations for publication or performance over which I have direct control, I will give the translators the recognition traditionally given to the authors.

Use of ITAINDIA logo

Members will receive an excellent designed logo of the Indian Translators Association, which may be used by them in their letterheads or their websites or CVs to promote their business interest keeping into account the reputation as well as the interest of the Association.

The ITAINDIA website

ITAINDIA plans to launch an excellent interactive website at http://www.itaindia.org, in the near future which shall contain a wealth of information provided by its members. In addition, ITAINDIA shall host specific pages for each member of the association that shall include their brief profile, contact details and relevant information. This would further facilitate contact between Internet users and ITAINDIA members, regional centres, committees, officers, other key volunteers, etc. The website shall also offer a wide variety of relevant links to the websites of other national and international organizations.

Regional centres

In due course of time, ITAINDIA plans to develop regional centres in major cities of India that shall address challenges and issues of common interest within their own regions.

Last date for submission of membership request form

For the financial year starting April 1, 2007 till March 30, 2008, annual membership is open to all individuals, translators, agencies, corporate and institutions who shall be interested in promoting its aims and objectives.

Interested members may kindly send their subscription fees together with duly filled application form and relevant documents by April 20, 2007 at the below mentioned address of the secretariat.

The future of ITAINDIA

ITAINDIA is exactly what its members make it. Members have the opportunity, at events and over the Internet, to establish strong and lasting links with other fellow members and organizations.

ITAINDIA shall deal with issues that affect the lives of translators, interpreters and theoreticians, and the Association strives constantly to create an environment conducive to encouraging the next generation to enter the profession, and last but not the least by equipping them with a network of supportive colleagues and friends.

ITAINDIA also encourages members who are digitally deprived but play a significant role in bridging the language barrier staying at remote corners of India being included as translators – interpreters with a view to facilitate them to exhibit their talents.

For membership form and other details always write to the secretariat at info@itaindia.org or visit at www.itaindia.org


Ravi Kumar
Founder President
Indian Translators Association
K-5/B, Lower Ground Floor, Kalkaji,
New Delhi, India Tel: 0091-11-26291676 Fax: 0091-11-41675530

E-mail: ravi@modlingua.com Web: www.modlingua.com

(This message may be circulated at any other forum)

Support and Challenges to Indian Translators Association

By Ravi Kumar (Founder President Indian Translators Association)


Now after the Indian Translators Association has been created, we are facing another waves of resistance, criticism and speculations from all corners.

The resistance, criticism and speculations and support from all corners can be summed up as follows -

Support from students

We have received unconditional support from students. Probably they need a body to start their professional career by taking part in seminars, training programs, translators meet etc. that are activities beyond course curriculum.

Resistance from a few misguided Translators

They say ITA allows agencies to be its members. Agencies are exploiters. I do not agree to this argument – Domestic Market of India has its own limitations. One can not expect Indian agencies to pay to the tune of US price. Moreover, rate between translators and agencies are private matters which is mutually decided between 2 parties, but beyond rate and business Indian Translators Association has lots many more things to do. For the interest of larger mass , for the time being can we forget this price issue and try and understand that a coin has 2 sides – one side is for translators and another for agencies.

Many of the established translators have commented, they do not need an association. This is true, I agree – They need portals – many are so much portal oriented that they prefer to be slave of these portals by being associated with these portals as their localization volunteers for translating their web contents into local languages – and prefer to be promoted by them as featured translators or so called moderators of forums. I am sorry if I appear to be straightforward and rude. For quite a few this slavery is so much intense that announcement of formation of ITA at such portals becomes disturbing, as this announcements confronts with their identity on such and such portals. Leave aside cooperation – they attack promoters of ITA with personal remarks, professional remarks, abuse and so on…., publicly on International forums. Their greed has increased so much that with their foreign counterpart they join hands in criticizing Indian Translators for being cheap labour!, and at the same time they continue working on cheaper price than international rates. Again I am sorry if my thoughts appear to be straightforward and rude.

I have no objections to any rate – as it is decision between 2 parties – If you agree to work on a price – you go ahead, if you do not agree as you feel it is lower, it may be possible that another translator agrees on the same price that you refused saying it was a lower price, but for this new individual – it may be possible that it was a good price. But refusing a work by saying that it was a lower price does not allow you to curse your fellow translator for being cheap labour. You can do that as well, but only when you ensure that next day you will provide him/ her bread if he / she fails to have a project.

So ITA has more aims and objectives that are beyond rates.


Support from agencies

Many leading agencies have supported the formation of ITA, as they have more practical approach towards growth of Translation Industry, many of them are worst suffers on account of un - professionalism they have been confronting from so called established translators. They charge more and create more fuss, and deliver less. This statement may not be taken as judgment, rather a typical situation. Many times agencies play worst role, they take services and never pay ! I agree on economic front there are conflicting interests, but ITA has vision beyond price and payment issues.

Support from corporate bodies and Institutions

No corporate body or institution shall be part of ITA unless ITA has proved its value by bringing balance of interests and adding value to human skills.

All above challenges are domestic and internal – it is a human nature – attack, counter – attacks, deliberations and speculations will go on. But the most important and interesting challenges are from International fronts

They can be summed up as

Challenges from leading Portals

Many of the leading portals have developed strong foothold in India. It is true they have given good opportunities to many of us to get in touch with domestic as well as International agencies that have resulted in increase in our income. Please always note most of these portals are being operated from the foreign land and they follow their own rule. If you go through their forums and postings you will realize that majority of the translators fear Indian talents and cost- effectiveness they offer. This results in creating a fear that if Indian translators get united and a forceful forum is created, focus will shift to hiring organized Indian talents.

Competition from International agencies

This is true that majority of Indian translators still follow the translation approach of translation – many times translations are done handwritten, followed by typing, re-checking – and final delivery; this translation approach has its own importance, but it results in delivery delay and lack of quality control, making the whole affair vulnerable to stiff competition.

On the other hand, International agencies are sophisticated, they make use of trained translators who are well versed with computer applications and CAT tools (Computer Aided Translation Tools). Unless Indian translators and Indian Translation agencies equally upgrade themselves with this modern translation approach, they will continue to suffer in front of a selected privileged few.

Challenges from Individual stereotype translators

There are a few translators who feel they do not need an association at all, and talk of individual personal interest as a translator. They even say, “ We have been doing well without an association”, they do not need it. I agree that when we talk to self interest, an association may not provide them job or assignments, nor Indian Translators Association has been created to work as job portals or mega agency. It has certain social goals, and it will stick to it. Even if we are doing good business, we must also take steps to contribute towards professional growth of our fellow translators – specially those who are deprived. Imagine, what about those who never worked on computers, and they are still fit to be called “translators” !


Challenges from racist attitude

Recently I saw a posting at a leading portal where Indian Translators were declared being most unprofessional and unreliable ! Thanks to the racist attitude that many of the leading writers of such portal propagate it, and so called our established translators continue to provide unconditional and active support to these thought process. I am sure if they had been united, no one had dared to say anything against Indian Translators. I agree there could be a few who are dishonest to their profession, but majority are honest, and all of them deserve honor of being called professional translators of India.

Above views are solely my personal views. For feedback and comments always write to: info@itaindia.org

! Long Live Indian Translators Association!

Ravi Kumar
Founder President
Indian Translators Association
K-5/B, Lower Ground Floor, Kalkaji,
New Delhi, India Tel : 0091-11-26291676 Fax: 0091-11-41675530

E-mail: ravi@modlingua.com Web : http://www.modlingua.com/