Training translators for accreditation in Finland

Abstract

This article discusses the training of translators in relation to their accreditation to produce legally valid translations. A particular case study is takenthe system currently used in Finland. This grants the translator the right to use the title of 'authorised translator' and it is supervised by the Authorised Translators' Examination Board, operating in conjunction with the Finnish National Board of Education. Accreditation is based on either an examination consisting of translation assignments and a test on professional practices, or a higher university degree in translation studies that includes specific courses in authorised translation. The right is granted for one working language pair at a time; in the latter case, for the language pair included in the degree. Finnish universities decide independently on the education given within their curricula. This article discusses both the pros and cons of this kind of system, reflects on the experiences the authors have collected as university lecturers in courses on authorised translation and assessing the students' translations, and gives examples of implementing the courses. It focuses on the challenges of evaluating the students' competence within the field of authorised translation and on the authors' responsibility as teachers in educating qualified translators.