EVEN a good interpreter can get lost in translation.
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As such, the Singapore Institute of Management University (UniSIM) hopes to raise the industry's standards by launching the first national certification for interpreters. First to go to school in the pilot programme later this year will be diplomatic officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
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While translation courses are already available in tertiary institutes such as the Nanyang Technological University, there is no professional body here to certify interpreters and translators.
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And even a degree in translation does not guarantee professionalism in interpretation, according to UniSIM's head of the translation and interpretation programme, Ms Susan Xu.
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"There is a misconception that being bilingual means you can also be an interpreter ... there is a lot of room for improvement in the standard of interpretation in Singapore," she said.
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In UniSIM's Certification Examination for Professional Interpreters (CEPI), students have to pass three components: Dialogue interpretation, conference interpretation and sight translation, where they will be tested on their responsiveness and presentation skills.
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This certification is only for the English and Chinese languages, although there are plans to include other tongues later on. The industry needs are pressing, according to UniSIM School of Arts and Social Sciences dean Neelam Aggarwal.
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"Bilingual education has been implemented in Singapore for nearly 40 years, but the nation still faces a shortage of qualified interpreters," Associate Professor Aggarwal said yesterday at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UniSIM and the MFA Diplomatic Academy.
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"Increasingly, with globalisation and with the fact that we're becoming a conference hub, this would raise the standards of professional interpretation in Singapore and it would ensure that only people who are qualified will be in the industry."
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To be eligible for the course, which will be opened to other applicants next May, candidates must have at least a diploma or degree from a recognised institute of higher learning in any field, or relevant work experience or professional training in interpretation. UniSIM will also offer preparatory courses to help candidates prepare for the CEPI.
