Cross-cultural translation

The Swiss Association for Translation and Intercultural Mediation INTERPRET was founded in 1999. It is a translators association committed ever since to promoting the intercultural understanding and the professionalization of intercultural translation in Switzerland.

Cross-cultural or intercultural translation is an oral activity. It enables efficient communication between participants in the conversation of different linguistic backgrounds. In contrast to the (conference) interpreting, it takes place whenever there’s a “trialogue”, a dialogue between three people.

With the help of intercultural translators, the people involved in the conversation can communicate in spite of different backgrounds and cultures and give their own views on the situation. The security gained expands the scope of all concerned.

This translators association based in Bern aims to assure and develop the quality of this area of translation; define and monitor intercultural translators standards; established training and certification guidelines; increase awareness of intercultural translating through means of publicity and awareness programs; inform and document services; lobby for translators.

The services rendered by the professionals that this translation association stands up for are particularly interesting for health institutions, education bodies and social services. In addition to being more efficient, they are often a cost-cutting.

In collaboration with the Swiss Federation for Adult Learning (SVEB) and with the support of the Federal Office of Public Health, INTERPRET has created a certificate for cross-cultural translators.

The Swiss INTERPRET certificate was introduced in 2004 and ensures customers that the cross-cultural translator meets their practical needs whether they come from the health sector or from education areas. Certified professionals also have to exercise their functions with respect to basic quality standards and the Code of Ethics of this translators association.

The certificate is usually granted after the candidate has successfully attended two training modules, proven his language skills and added up at least 50 hours of practical experience. Cross-cultural translators working for quite some time now can obtain this certificate through an equivalence process.

This translators association is also the national center for training recognition in this area and in 2009 introduced the federal trade card for cross-cultural translators, certifying that its members meet high professional standards and cope with complex translation applications. To get this card, members are under continuous supervision.

Finally, on INTERPERT’s website, you can find a cross-cultural translator.

Keep in mind that Italian, Dutch and French are the three official languages of Switzerland, a country with around 7,6 million inhabitants.