Are we ready for the new EU Directive on Translation Rights?

I am writing an article on the UK's preparedness for the new EU Directive on the translation rights for EU citizens in criminal trials.


I welcome the views from Translation associations, legal translators and interpreters as well as solicitors, barristers, human rights organisations and public servants, on the way each sector is preparing to put into practice the Directive.


There is no doubt that the recent approval by the European Parliament of the rules guaranteeing the provision of translation and interpreting services to EU citizens facing criminal charges, constitutes a welcome landmark in the provision of a more just and stronger Europe.


The challenges that the new rules present, however, require of a coordination of resources  bound to cause considerable upheaval in the translation industry, the courts, the police and other public institutions involved in its implementation.

• How much do we know about the Directive itself?
• Are there enough qualified legal translators and interpreters  committed to the task?
• Who will be in charge of dealing with the substantial costs involved?
• What issues does the Directive raise within your field of expertise?

As a professional translator and human rights advocate, I feel very strongly about the importance of getting this process right from the start.


Your comments will help me to present a more accurate picture on the feelings and concerns of those involved and hopefully lay out the foundations for a serious and cohesive debate.


I look forward to your views. 
My sincere thanks in anticipation.




Amparo Torregrosa
English-Spanish Translator
Assoc. ITI, ATA

Beware of bogus translators

I am well-known for my "discussions" on the unfair treatment of translators by a number of Translation agencies. Maximum effort for minimum pay seems to be the order of the day and most professionals worth their salt are feeling undermined and unappreciated -let alone insulted. I spend a great deal of my precious time justifying my fees and my expertise to clients, haggling as if I were a market vendor with a van full of leftover words at the back of the tent. I don't know of any lawyers, doctors or plumbers proving their worth in any other way than with a prompt and hefty invoice. No questions asked. As professional translators, we must abide by a very strict professional code of conduct, possess recognised linguistic acumen -in at least two languages and be immersed in a continuous developmental programme to satisfy the demands of the ever-evolving world of technology. So forgive me for getting justifiably annoyed form time to time.
The tables were turned this week, however, when a desperate project manager contacted me to assist him in checking out the credentials of a Polish translator claiming to be fluent in Polish, English and Spanish and who was refusing to justify a considerable number of errors that his client had found in the translation she had provided. I proceeded with caution and asked him to send me details of all the documentation he had on her. It did not take me long to start hearing all types of strident bells ringing. And I thought we were the naive ones! Her CV was as unbelievable as  a free lunch. Apparently, she was too busy and did not have time to write a report to justify the errors found. Her references were also dubious and I felt a bit sorry for the PM -but not much. 
Perhaps it is the quick turnarounds and the cost-cutting exercises that force some agencies to employ the cheapest and the quickest individuals without stopping to consider the consequences. 
My instinct told me that she was a fraud. My research showed a lack of consistency in her work trail: there was no mention of specific employers, her education was very sketchy -and her qualifications (it did not take me long to find out) were false.  For someone like me who spends a great deal of time doing research, this was a walk in the park. He had spent hours trying to work out how to face his client and the other translators working in the same project-unpaid for three months so far- . He had bought phone cards to call Poland, went to a number of Polish delicatessens to enquire, Skyped the world for advice and more. I spent very little time on my PC and found all I needed to know. She was someone intent on defrauding him but worse than that, she was out there posing as one of us. That will not do.
I urged him to cut his loses and apologise to the client, offer him a discount, pay his translators their dues and refuse to remunerate this woman. 
I know she is not the only one. Be vigilant and do not take anything or anyone for granted but most importantly, do not forget that in life , you get what you pay for and you may be paying more than you bargained for whilst trying to cut corners.

My first Post

About time! I feel like a pressure cooker about to explode. It has been a long time coming and here it is: my blog.
I am going to contain myself and take this momentous opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you who have (at one time or another) made me happy. You know who you are and if you don't, I invite you to join the club. I always welcome happiness inducers into my life. If you are not the kind, I will ask you politely to leave this page and find someone to make miserable elsewhere. Life has given me enough of that misery stuff and I do not want it anywhere near me if I can help it.
I admit to the occasional rant. Ranting IS allowed -as long as we share the satisfaction of letting off the steam. We all need it from time to time. Just don't overdo it. Not healthy.
I intend to tell you about me, translation, the world that I constantly put to rights, food, music, sport...Too many things make me tick and I intend to keep it that way. Not ticking is lethal.
A day in the life of me:
Wednesday 24th November (my sister's birthday, ecard on its way)
5.45 am Got up to feed cat thinking it was middle of the night.
6.00 am Alarm clock told me it wasn't.
8.00 am off for 3m. walk
9.30 am off for 1 mile run (it was cold and slippery)
10-10.30 Boxing and weights (enough exercise for one day)
10.45 am Start work (only Wednesdays btw)

• Translation
• check emails, 
• cancel hair appointment (no time for hair)
• Translation
• twitter check on PC (Not working on BB)
• Translation sent
• Skype friend and clients in USA (most turkey hunting today)

1.45 pm Lunch  

3.00pm Emails to voice over clients and studio.

4.00pm No feedback from Translation client. I get impatient. Need to know all is well.

4.30pm Start working out how to initiate my blogging adventure.

17.00pm Already on it.

As I need to learn a bit about this blogging business, I will stop for today and hope I can find amazing inspiration to entertain, inform and puzzle those of you who wish to know what I am about.