Monaco’s translators and interpreters meet
The creators of the Monegasque Chamber of Translators and Interpreters (CTIM) want to see the translation sector better supervised and promoted in the Principality.
Translating a document, an article, interpreting a conference… With a society as cosmopolitan as Monaco, where nearly 140 nationalities mingle every day, translation (written) and interpreting (oral) are more than necessary in the Principality. And it is not Nicola Gentile, Italian translator affirmed at the Court of Appeal of Monaco, manager and founder of the Studio Gentile group in Monaco, Nice and Sophia Antipolis who will say the opposite.
But today, he wears a second hat, and not the least: that of treasurer of the Monegasque Chamber of Translators and Interpreters, newly created last October, by Ministerial Decree.
Today it is played by Liza Lovering, and has Odile Quèré as honorary president (represented by Céline Haond) and Laetitia Noyon Zwaans as Secretary General. A creation that turned out to be necessary, according to Nicola Gentile, in more ways than one.
Protecting the profession at all levels
” We’ve been working on it for a whilesays Nicola. We thank the Monegasque authorities for this openness and for the encouragement and support we have received from certain government authorities. This Chamber aims to defend our interests, highlight our skills and highlight our expertise vis-à-vis the authorities, individuals and companies. »
Among these interests, for example, the alignment of fees for services with the scales of other professionals, easier to promote when the request comes from a group of professionals, rather than individually. Car according to Nicola, “ Unity is strength » and the advantages obtained during these negotiations could then benefit everyone.
Another interest, just as important: to protect the profession from abuse or unfair competition, with translations offered at extremely low rates. ” I don’t know how some translators manage to charge such low rates! If you do a translation page, which takes you one to two hours of work, you can’t produce it for ten euros, otherwise, what image does that give of our profession? Laments Nicola.
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Aim for excellence
In the long term, according to the translator, the aim of this Chamber is also to improve the quality of translations. Because to exercise this profession, no diploma is necessary, whether in France or in Monaco. Translators can freely exercise their profession.
Only the translators claimed to be officially recognized by the Court of Appeal. This allows them to translate official documents, such as driving licenses, civil status documents, wills, legal files, or to serve as an interpreter during police custody, interrogations or hearings.
But again, no degree required! Even if the selection remains strict, the translators who apply do not have to have followed any particular training. Moreover, there is no translation school in Monaco. To train at best, the ideal is to move towards masters or specialized schools in France or Europe.
Nevertheless, the Monegasque Chamber is aimed at all translation professionals, confirmed or not, established in the Principality. Today, no less than 34 languages are represented within the organization: ” there is significant demand in Monaco. English, Italian, Spanish and Russian, for example, are in high demand. », specifies Nicola Gentile.
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And if the latter hopes to see the number of translators and interpreters in the Chamber grow even further, other projects should see the light of day very soon, starting with the creation of a website. Ways to better regulate the profession, from a regulatory point of view, are also being studied.
” The Principality is geared towards excellence. It can only push us to supervise our profession. We cannot let this very important function be suspended… The level of translators in the Principality is high. Little by little, this must be highlighted and recognized “says Nicola Gentile.