Assessment of Portuguese Translators

For those aspiring to make a career as a successful Portuguese translator it is highly essential that they are aware of the criteria to do an assessment of Portuguese translators. There are definite criteria decided by U.S. Government agencies to decide the capacity of a person as a professional translator. There is a five-level assessment test that determines the capacity of a translator that every aspiring Portuguese translator should undergo so as to know his or her strengths and weaknesses before they start actual work. Let’s see what these levels are and how they can decide where they stand.

Level 0

Level zero in the criteria decided for the assessment of Portuguese translators specifies no abilities of translation. It specifies that these people cannot comprehend hence cannot translate. In addition, level zero specifies that these people can translate names and certain words as well as phrases but they depend mostly on memorized stuff. This level in the criteria decided for the assessment of Portuguese translators also indicates that there will be a large number of spelling and grammatical errors.

Level 1

Level one in the criteria decided for the assessment of Portuguese translators denotes that these people are at ease with translating simple and routine texts. Although there are many chances of mistranslation at this level, it could be said that these Portuguese translators can handle information regarding simple narrations for example tourist guides, etc. Moreover, level one denotes that these people can handle advertising notes, narrations of events, simple newspaper headlines etc. But they will have difficulty in expressing complex thoughts.

Level 2

Level two as explained in the criteria decided for the assessment of Portuguese translators says individuals with this level have a good capacity to translate yet there is a considerable amount of chances of making mistranslation and errors of punctuation, spelling etc. Yet these individuals will produce understandable translations of a moderate high level and will have good vocabulary helping them translate with ease texts for general readers. Level two also specifies sufficient translation skills. Fluency and a good ability to translate expressions along with command over good vocabulary helps these individuals to render good translations. Although under time pressure Portuguese translations may contain grammatical and mistranslation errors.

Level three of the criteria decided for the assessment of Portuguese translators focuses on the ability people to translate with authenticity. There are less grammatical errors and these people have control over a wide range of vocabulary, helping them to translate correctly. Their comprehension abilities are good, hence they can deliver good translations. Still there are chances of making mistakes but they are not so alarming as mistranslations. Translators possessing Level three denote that they have the capacity to translate a variety of texts as well. Their ability to comprehend and express has improved but they have problems with accuracy. They can handle difficult and several subjects but have difficulties in expressing intricacies of the subject and translating nuances.

Level 4

Level four in the assessment of Portuguese translators explains the ability to translate with fluency and accuracy. Portuguese translators possessing this level can handle different styles and formats of the language. They can render good translations in different subjects. They also command good vocabulary, have a good knowledge of cultural references and also have a good ability to comprehend and express. They also possess the ability to translate minute details explained in the text and can express subtleties of the particular text. They make rare grammatical and punctuation errors. Individuals possessing this level can render a good job even under time pressures and have the ability to translate somewhat legible handwriting.

Level four in the assessment of Portuguese translators also expresses the increased ability of Portuguese translators to translate more difficult subject matters. These translators have a better command of vocabulary. They can translate difficult prose. They also have good research skills and are always updated. They have strong abilities to understand nuances of the subject matter and do justice with their job by delivering accurate and timely translation. They also possess the ability to read handwriting that is less legible and also have a good understanding of cultural references. These Portuguese translators can handle a variety of subjects with equal ease. Thus, translators possessing this level four expressed in the criteria for assessment of Portuguese translators are better translators but they still need some improvement.

Level 5

Now we will consider the final level described in the criteria decided for the assessment of Portuguese translators. Portuguese translators possessing this level are extremely good at delivering Portuguese translations. They can translate extremely difficult and abstract subject matters. They are equally good with prose as well as with technical translation. They possess a good command of vocabulary. They are fast with research and very accurate in translating. They are always updated in terms of  changes taking place in both languages. They also have a good knowledge of both cultures and understand ideas better. They have a good command of grammar in both languages and make sure they make no mistake with punctuation. They can cope up with short deadlines and are very professional in their approach. Thus it could be said that translators possessing level five in the assessment of Portuguese translators can deliver Portuguese translations with an optimum quality.

All the levels explained in the criteria decided for the assessment of Portuguese translators set up a mark for self-assessment for all those who aspire to making a career as successful professional Portuguese translators.