The ATA Chronicle - July/August 2022 - 37

CERTIFICATION FORUM By Larry Bogoslaw and David Stephenson
ATA's Certification
Committee Statement
on Level of Performance
(Approved May 2022)
ATA certification is a
professional credential that
attests to a high level of
competence in accurately
and naturally translating
texts on a variety of topics,
resulting in translations that
are publishable after routine
editing and proofing.
The ATA certification
examination is designed
to test a range of skills
that include:
y Full comprehension of
the source-language
text, including cultural
references and figures
of speech.
Level of Performance Targeted
by ATA's Certification Credential
I
n 2020, Knapp &
Associates International,
Inc., presented its " Review
of the ATA Certification
Program " 1
to ATA's Board
of Directors. This review
included a number of
recommendations for
enhancing the validity
and standing of ATA's
certification credential,
many of which have already
been implemented by the
Certification Committee. The
following were among the
highest priorities identified
by Knapp:
1. Create a more definitive
statement describing
the level of performance
targeted by the
credential. If, indeed,
www.ata-chronicle.online
the certification is " a
mid-career credential
for experienced,
professional translators
or interpreters, " what
does this mean from a
practical perspective?
What type of experience
is necessary to be
successful in the
certification process?
How much experience is
needed? What's meant by
" professional " translators
and interpreters-how
are these individuals
different from others
who might apply for
certification? [...]
2. Once the level of
certification has been
more clearly defined, it's
very important that this be
communicated effectively
to the community. When
prospects aren't provided
with sufficient information
regarding what's required
for success, they may
pursue certification
before they're ready.
This typically results in
lower overall pass rates,
as does the absence of
eligibility requirements.
ATA's Certification
Committee has now adopted
a definitive statement
describing the level of
performance targeted by the
exam, and with this column
we're communicating that
statement to the community.
y Strong writing skills in the
target language.
y The successful application
of translation strategies
to compose a targetlanguage
text that fully
and precisely conveys the
meaning intended in the
source text; reflects its
style, tone, and register;
achieves the purpose of the
translation; and meets the
needs of the translation's
target audience (as
specified in the translation
instructions)
The minimum level of
performance targeted by the
examination is based on the
standard of " Professional
Performance " as defined by
the Interagency Language
Roundtable (ILR).2
To ensure consistency of
grading to this standard,
the examination consists
of source texts at a level
equivalent to ILR Reading
Level 3.3
Texts are typically
American Translators Association 37
http://www.ata-chronicle.online
The ATA Chronicle - July/August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The ATA Chronicle - July/August 2022
