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November 11, 2006 - #004

Table of Contents

1. Training for Medical Translators/Interpreters
2. Got Photos?
3. Proz.com Powwows
4. Quote: Are you wishing your time away?

1. Medical Translation Training

Occasionally I get emails from people with questions regarding various aspects of the translation profession. Here's one I got regarding medical translation:

Do you all know of any college, that would be right for me in becoming a Spanish medical translator/interpreter?

My reply:

While I don't know of every university that offers degrees in Spanish Medical Translation/Interpretation, I have run across some resources that might be of interest to you. Also, there aren't many degrees in Spanish medical translation/interpretation but there are a few certificate programs out there.

Here are listings of translation schools and training programs throughout the world:
1. Translator-Training Institutions
2. BeTranslated

Here are some certificate programs I know of:
1. University of Georgia
2. Boston University
3. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
4. Cross Cultural Communication Systems (not really a certification, but it is training nonetheless)
5. Cambridge College (click on medical interpreter training)

Degree Program: (Not specific to the medical field, but you can specialize in that area)
1. Monterey Institute of International Studies

2. Got Photos?

Every translator I know loves to find bad translations and the Internet is full of web pages devoted to these. However, most of these web pages just contain the text of the mistranslation, and not an actual picture of the offense.

I think it's about time we provide a place where translators can actually see pictures of these bad translations, but for that I need your help. Basically, I'm looking for pictures of mistranslations to post to a new page on the website at Bad translation Pictures.

Unless you state otherwise, I'll put your name below the picture and any (short) description you include. Just send them to badtranslations**at**spanish-translation-help**dot**com (** are to keep spammers away).

3. Proz.com Powwows

Almost every translator has heard of Proz.com. If you haven't, you should know that it's one of the most frequented sites on the Internet for translators and interpreters.

If you already knew that, you might not know that Proz.com members have started organizing Powwows, which according to the website are "informal get-togethers of groups of ProZ.com users living in close proximity. The events are organized by local translators, for local translators."

It's a great chance for translators to get together and meet other translators and language professionals. There are new powwows being organized all the time so check out the website at www.proz.com/powwows for any taking place near you.

4. Quote - Alexander Woollcott

"Most of us spend half our time wishing for things we could have if we didn't spend half our time wishing."

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Anything you want to say? Let me know. I'd love to hear anything you've got to say, from suggestions to comments to your translation experiences. Just reply to this zine and tell me what you think!