Article written by Dr. William R. Suárez, President of the Institute of Higher Studies in Translation (IAET) on the occasion of the First Translation Discussion organized by the institution and held in the Training Centre "La Moneda" on February 23, 2010.
All of us connected in some way to the field of translation in Peru have always wondered why the translation rates applied in several countries from Latin America, and around the world, show large differences regarding the rates charged in Peru, which leads inevitably to another question, for some of somewhat utopian nature, is it possible to apply international translation rates in Peru?
This simple question is not easy to answer. This will require identifying, firstly, the conditions to be fulfilled before the translation rates in the so-called first world are higher than those applied in Peru, and then analyze the measures to be taken for the translation rates that apply in Peru are similar to prices in developed countries.
A simplistic answer might lead us to say that in Europe or the United States translation rates are higher because the cost of living and per capita income is higher. However, in spite of this right to some extent, is not the main reason for the translation rates applied in Peru are considerably lower than the rates charged elsewhere in the world.
Imagine for a moment that Peru becomes a country with high income per capita and cost of similar life the developed countries of Europe, would be sufficient to satisfy this condition for simple translation rates in our country are similar to the old continent? I think the answer is more than evident.
What would then happen to meet an almost unattainable goal in the opinion of some, or simply unattainable in the opinion of others?
First of all, you must order the translation market at all levels, meaning order, promote the regulation of translation at the legal level, in terms of users and level providers the translation service. This necessarily involves the establishment of uniform standards of quality, an adequate system of certification of translations and that a legal framework covering all aspects of the profession.
Second, and parallel to the above system, we must encourage aggressive development in the field of specialization in translation, so that there is no gap between the demand for translations within a regulated framework and supply Translation with an appropriate quality to satisfy that demand. In this sense, it is essential that prior to ordering the translation market, the quick development and continues a wide range of competitive high quality translations that can withstand the increased demand for qualified translations to be generated as a result of market regulation in the field of translations.
Third, should promote information campaigns aimed at users of translations to make them aware of the importance of recruiting qualified services for translation of documents and they know the regulations in force in Peru with respect to various types of translation.
Finally, the condition - in my opinion, the most important, to be met to achieve the development of translation in Peru, is that all market players point toward the same goal, which should be to ensure the development of translation through regulation which has as its cornerstone the quality to be paramount in all levels of the profession.
If the requirements outlined above, within a regulated framework and dissemination of information regarding this regulation aimed at users and other market players in the translation, get a multiplication of needs within this market and can therefore expect to rates that are appropriate to the provision of a high-level translation quality.
This simple question is not easy to answer. This will require identifying, firstly, the conditions to be fulfilled before the translation rates in the so-called first world are higher than those applied in Peru, and then analyze the measures to be taken for the translation rates that apply in Peru are similar to prices in developed countries.
A simplistic answer might lead us to say that in Europe or the United States translation rates are higher because the cost of living and per capita income is higher. However, in spite of this right to some extent, is not the main reason for the translation rates applied in Peru are considerably lower than the rates charged elsewhere in the world.
Imagine for a moment that Peru becomes a country with high income per capita and cost of similar life the developed countries of Europe, would be sufficient to satisfy this condition for simple translation rates in our country are similar to the old continent? I think the answer is more than evident.
What would then happen to meet an almost unattainable goal in the opinion of some, or simply unattainable in the opinion of others?
First of all, you must order the translation market at all levels, meaning order, promote the regulation of translation at the legal level, in terms of users and level providers the translation service. This necessarily involves the establishment of uniform standards of quality, an adequate system of certification of translations and that a legal framework covering all aspects of the profession.
Second, and parallel to the above system, we must encourage aggressive development in the field of specialization in translation, so that there is no gap between the demand for translations within a regulated framework and supply Translation with an appropriate quality to satisfy that demand. In this sense, it is essential that prior to ordering the translation market, the quick development and continues a wide range of competitive high quality translations that can withstand the increased demand for qualified translations to be generated as a result of market regulation in the field of translations.
Third, should promote information campaigns aimed at users of translations to make them aware of the importance of recruiting qualified services for translation of documents and they know the regulations in force in Peru with respect to various types of translation.
Finally, the condition - in my opinion, the most important, to be met to achieve the development of translation in Peru, is that all market players point toward the same goal, which should be to ensure the development of translation through regulation which has as its cornerstone the quality to be paramount in all levels of the profession.
If the requirements outlined above, within a regulated framework and dissemination of information regarding this regulation aimed at users and other market players in the translation, get a multiplication of needs within this market and can therefore expect to rates that are appropriate to the provision of a high-level translation quality.
