As a director of translation for years, I have worked with many translators and interpreters.  The most important quality I found in them is being responsible and taking their jobs to the heart.  It’s such a pleasure to work with them.   Here is one good example.  ~Mei-Ling Chen

by Lee Eisenberg

I have done many translation projects.  I find translation to be a satisfying practice because I feel as though I have just contributed something to the world that I’m living in.

I just translated a newlywed marriage certificate from Spanish to English.  The work involves not only translating each word.  We must know how to translate a position such as Mexico’s Secretaría de Gobernación (Secretary of Interior), and what an extemporaneous birth certificate is.  We also have to ensure to format the translation properly.  Correct formatting makes the translation look official and easier to read.

All in all, translating this project gives me a true feeling of accomplishment.  I feel joy for the people who have just gotten married.  It might be a small thing to do, but I’m definitely proud to have done it, and I wish the newlyweds well.