Riyadh hosted a virtual meeting titled “The Future of the Translation Profession in Light of Accreditation,” organized by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission with specialists and stakeholders.
According to SPA, the session focused on the role of professional accreditation in improving practitioner competence and translation quality. The meeting introduced the “Certified Translator” program, which aims to regulate the profession and ensure it keeps pace with developments across various sectors in the Kingdom.
Participants clarified that licensing provides legal authorization for offices and institutions, whereas professional accreditation applies to individuals to demonstrate competence. This accreditation is linked to the specific language, direction of translation, and fields of specialization, such as medical and legal areas.
The discussion also addressed artificial intelligence, stating that technological advances do not eliminate professional translators. Human expertise remains necessary to verify the ethical, cultural, and linguistic accuracy of AI-generated outputs, requiring translators to manage these tools responsibly.
What is the purpose of the Certified Translator program? The Certified Translator program is designed to regulate and develop the translation profession in the Kingdom. It aims to elevate translation as a professional practice by using clear standards of quality and competence, which helps empower practitioners and improve the overall quality of translation output.
How does professional accreditation differ from licensing in translation? Licensing is used to provide institutions and offices with the legal authorization required to practice. In contrast, professional accreditation is applied to individuals to demonstrate their professional competence, specifically linked to their field of specialization, the language used, and the direction of translation.
What is the impact of artificial intelligence on professional translators? Artificial intelligence does not eliminate the role of professional translators but reinforces the need for human expertise. Translators are required to review AI-generated outputs to verify linguistic, cultural, and ethical accuracy while developing the ability to manage AI tools responsibly.