You need translation services and contacted a translator to negotiate fees but the translator has refused to accept your work! This situation can be confusing and frustrating, especially if your matter is urgent.
As a Canadian certified translator, I have been recognized as a professional qualified to practice independently, but that does not mean I can or will accept all work. There are many valid reasons why a translator may refuse work from a client. I will summarize three of the most common scenarios below.
1. Availability/Deadline
I am an independent service provider, not an agency. I perform all services myself. This means my availability will be limited if I already have a full workload. I will not accept a request for urgent services if accepting and delivering the work will negatively impact the delivery of ongoing projects.
2. Wrong Language Pair and/or Direction
I translate from Spanish into English only but am frequently contacted by clients seeking translation services in language pairs and directions that I do not offer. When clients request these types of services, I refer them to a certified translator in the relevant language pair and direction or instruct them to search the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) directory. You can save yourself time locating a service provider by searching for a certified translator in the relevant language pair and direction by visiting the directory link above.
3. Subject Matter
Many translators specialize in certain areas of work. These include:
- Legal and Financial (my specialty)
- Medical
- Technical
Canadian certified translators are qualified and skilled professionals, but certification does not mean that a translator must accept all types of work. In fact, the ATIO Code of Ethics requires members to refuse work that we know to be beyond our competence and/or qualifications. This can occur if you ask a translator to perform work outside their usual specialty and the translator does not feel capable of providing high-quality services.
To avoid delays in receiving services, it is important to search for a translator who specializes in translating your document’s subject matter. You can find a certified translator’s areas of expertise at the bottom of their ATIO directory listing.
Do you require Spanish to English translation of legal or financial documents? I would be happy to assist you. Please contact me for a quote!
Laura L. Messer, Certified Translator Spanish to English (ATIO)
I am a certified member of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) with years of experience translating legal and financial documents from Spanish to English.