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The crème de la crème (“best of the best”) of translators and interpreters usually end up in diplomatic circles.

It is generally agreed in most educated discussions about translators that the top of the ladder is to end up at the United Nations. Translating for the leaders of the world in a congress of 192 nations is no easy task and the competition is stiff. Last year, out of 400 applicants in Arabic language services, only two people passed the qualification. Only 10 out of nearly 1800 applicants in Chinese passed! This kind of job is not for the faint hearted!

While the UN has two official languages, French and English, there are four other languages that are constantly being translated: Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.

For other languages the UN hires as needed, or relies on incoming national contingencies to bring experts. One well known case of an interpreter being over-taxed is when the late Muammar Quadaffi spoke to the UN General Assembly for 96 minutes. The interpreter, a part of the Libyan group visiting, collapsed after 75 minutes of interpreting. This was an exceptionally grueling day for the personal interpreter, Fouad Zlitni. Perhaps it was not too different from most days that he worked with the leader. On a day to day basis, the UN has a staff of 460 interpreters and translators employed full time. They keep notes, memos and meetings of councils and groups circulating in the various languages to keep everyone up to date.

Your company may not be serving over 190 countries like the UN, but your information is still very important.

You won’t need to keep full time staff for translation, but you would be wise to hand the work over to professionals who translate on a daily basis.

A professional translation company can serve your needs.

Why leave information or marketing about your company to amateur translators who could compromise your image? The UN knows that translation and interpretation isn’t easy. They also know that it’s important to get it right the first time.