ISO 17100, the International Standard for Translation, Released in Japan in April, 2015.
In this article, let’s consider the relationship between http://www.jta-net.or.jp/about_pro_exam_tpm.html and the Translation Project Manager Certification Level I Test (conducted by Japan Translation Association) recommended by BUPST.
The International Standards Organization, or ISO (based in Geneva, Switzerland), is an organization that combines various industrial standards into one international standard, and which creates and promotes international standards. The Technical Committee 37, established within the ISO, is a specialized committee responsible for the standardization of language, content, and information assets. There are several subcommittees set up under Technical Committee 37. One of these subcommittees was in charge of reviewing ISO 17100. On April 24th the Translation International Standard ISO 17100 was released, which lays out the requirements for translations services.
Those who have been working in the translation industry for some time are probably familiar with ISO 90001, a quality management standard adopted as an international standard in the field of localization translation. Translation companies (service providers) who earned this certification used it as a way to increase their business image among clients. However, it was determined that this standard was not suitable for the field of translation. The European standard EN 15038 was then created and gradually adopted by various European countries. ISO used this EN 15038 as a basis in developing ISO 17100.
Translators and translation service providers are not required to observe ISO 17100, but this standard serves as a guideline for translation quality. It is also helpful in gaining an understanding of that necessary in establishing professionalism in translation.
One should note that ISO 17100 is not designed merely for translation service providers, but also for translators, checkers, clients, and other stakeholders.
This standard also attempts to clarify the qualification of translators, checkers, revisers, and reviewers. In other words, ISO 17100 is designed around the the goal of increasing recognition in society of translators and those working in the translation industry.
The following are qualifications for translators:
1. Translation degree (university qualification)
*There are currently no translation degree programs available in Japan. The degree BUPST offers is a degree in translation from the U.S.
2. Degree other than one in translation (university qualification) + 2 years work experience
*Work experience standards are still unclear.
3. 5 years of work experience
*Work experience standards are still unclear.
(Possess government certification)
*In the last stages of deliberation this qualification was not adopted, but provides evidence of the importance of certification.
ISO insists that at least one of the above qualifications is necessary for translators.
Also, ISO stipulates the desired process for guaranteeing quality in translation as:
Translate
⇒ Check
⇒ Revise
⇒ Review
⇒ Proofread
⇒ Final Verification
*Review is optional.
This process cannot happen unless the translation industry and concerned parties such as clients and end-users cooperate together. Clients must understand that this process is necessary in preserving a uniform level of translation quality. Without this process it is unrealistic to expect further developments in the translation industry.
Now let’s dive into the main topic. The Japan Translation Association has been active for over 30 years in providing certification exams to evaluate professional ability of translators and translation professionals.
* Translation professional certification exam (Japanese > English, English > Japanese, Japanese > Chinese, Chinese > Japanese, German > Japanese, French > Japanese)
* Translation project manager certification exam
* Business translation proficiency exam
* IR/ financial translation proficiency exam
*Legal translation proficiency exam
*Medical/ pharmaceutical translation proficiency exam
*Patent translation proficiency exam
*Publication translation proficiency exam
*Young adult/ children’s books translation proficiency exam
*Entertainment novels translation proficiency exam
*Romance literature translation proficiency exam
*Spiritual literature translation proficiency exam
*Educational books (business related) translation proficiency exam
*Educational books (science related) translation proficiency exam
In accordance with ISO 17100, I would like to introduce in particular the JTA Official Translation Project Manager Certification Level I Exam.
This is a multiple choice exam which evaluates and recognizes the following six areas of translation project managers’ management ability.
1. Time management
2. Personnel management
3. Data & resources management
4. Cost management
5. Client management
6. Compliance management
It is well known that in an age where large amounts of translation data must be processed in a limited amount of time, multiple translators and checkers are needed to form translation projects to ensure translation progress. This is a natural process not only in business related translation but in publication translation.
Furthermore, it is no exaggeration in saying that translation service providers in themselves are the translation project.
In other words, translation service providers are all about:
1. Time management
2. Personnel management
3. Data & resources management
4. Cost management
5. Client management
6. Compliance management
Translation service providers are business entities striving to use the best practices in their field.
Let’s look at the relationship between ISO 17100 and the JTA Official Translation Project Manager Certification Level I Exam.
Please look at the following data. One can conduct a comparative analysis of ISO 17100 and the JTA Official Translation Project Manager Certification Level I Exam (there may be slight discrepancies).
1. The following areas of the Translation Project Manager Certification Level I Exam are met by ISO 17100:
1. Time management 75%
2. Personnel management 90%
3. Data & resources management 80%
4. Cost management 15%
5. Client management 50%
6. Compliance management 20%
2. The following areas of the Translation Project Manager Certification Level I Exam were met by ISO 11669, the predecessor to ISO 17100:
1. Time management 70%
2. Personnel management 60%
3. Data & resources management 80%
4. Cost management 50%
5. Client management 80%
6. Compliance management 30%
The figures above clearly show that ISO 17100 does not place a great importance on cost, client, and compliance management. In other words, ISO 17100 is a standard for translation process management and not necessarily a standard that includes the standardization of translation business as a whole.
The JTA Translation Project Manager Certification Exam is a certification that covers translation business as a whole, which includes a:
Quality standard for translation
Business standard for translation
I am confident that Japan’s translation service providers offer a quality which is unmatched by any other translation service provider in the world. In order for those worldwide to recognize the quality Japanese translation service providers offer, as many translators and translation service providers as possible should take this exam, in order to work together to create a standard for translation project management.
The next Translation Project Manager Certification Level I Exam will be held on July 11th.
The much anticipated Translation Project Manager Certification Level II Exam (case study format) is also scheduled for September 12th.
http://www.jta-net.or.jp/about_pro_exam_tpm_2.html
BUPST students and graduates receive a discount in taking this exam, but should register early as space is limited.