European Portuguese Translations

Finding a qualified Portuguese translator may be more difficult than finding a qualified translator for other languages. In Brazil, language standards are lower than those in other countries. Most of the Brazilian population doesn’t have access to quality education, and as a consequence, quite different levels of quality in the spoken and written language coexist.

Different Needs, Different Translators!

Companies entering the Brazilian market will want to make sure that they have their texts translated by professional Portuguese translators. A professional Portuguese translator will have a degree from a serious college, knowledge of the subject matter, and a career as a translator.

Translation Companies: a major source of Portuguese Translators

A professional translation company may be one of the best options for finding a Portuguese translator. Translation companies screen Portuguese translators and ensure your document will be correctly translated by using quality assurance processes such as editing and proofreading.

The Translation Company is a language division of The Translation Company Group, and it has been in business since 1999 – the oldest language division of the group.

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800.725.6498
Portuguese Translation Services

Individual Translators

If you are short in budget, willing to spend more of your personal time managing a Portuguese translation project, and less demanding in terms of the quality of your translated text, you may want to hire an individual translator yourself.

Individual translators may be found in associations such as:

ATA – American Translators Association
SINTRA – Sindicato Nacional dos Tradutores
ABRATES – Associaço Brasileira de Tradutores e Intérpretes

Another source is Proz.com, where you can set up requirements such as specialty, deadlines, and even desired rates.

Complimentary Translation Advice

Need some professional advice? The Translation Company provides complimentary advice to companies in need of professional Portuguese translation.

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sales@thetranslationcompany.com
800.725.6498
Portuguese Translation Services

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 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 ability to translate. It specifies that these people cannot comprehend and 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 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 a 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, help these individuals to render good translations. Although under time pressure, Portuguese translations may contain grammatical and mistranslation errors.

Level 3

Level three of the criteria decided for the assessment of Portuguese translators focuses on the ability of people to translate with authenticity. There are fewer 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 to their job by delivering accurate and timely translations. 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 mistakes with punctuation. They can cope 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 optimum quality.

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sales@thetranslationcompany.com
800.725.6498
Portuguese Translation Services

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 make a career as successful professional Portuguese translators.