O papel da formação em interpretação dos tradutores públicos e intérpretes comerciais no estado do Ceará

Abstract

Sworn translation was present in Brazil since the colonial period, keeping close relations with interpreting of oral languages, as Wyler (2003) points out. From the 1950s on, interpreting started to be the object of studies and research in the field of Linguistics and subsequently Translation Studies. In order to categorize this activity, authors such as Mikkelson (1999), Pagura (2002) and Pöchhacker (2004) made use of different criteria, for instance, the contexts in which interpreting is accomplished and the working mode the professionals in this area resort to. In light of this context, the present work aims at delineating the profile regarding the qualification in interpreting of the sworn translators in the state of Ceará, as a way to determine deficiencies, if there are any, and for what reasons they would exist. In order to achieve this goal, a historical panorama of the profession in Brazil was outlined, followed by a report about the alterations in the legislation referring to the practice of the professionals from this area in the country. To accomplish the collecting of data, online questionnaires were applied with the translators with questions specifically related to their work as interpreters and to their qualification in the area of interpreting (consecutive, simultaneous, chuchotage, etc.). There was a high rate of answers, corresponding to 62,26% of the sworn translators in the state. The analysis and evaluation of the obtained data enabled to observe, among other aspects, that most of the sworn translators in Ceará do not have a professional training in interpreting, corresponding to 81,8% of the answers; 75,8% declared having already worked as an interpreter using one of the working modes previously mentioned; and 51,5% considers the qualification in the area a relevant factor to exercise the profession. When it comes to the answers of the interviewed translators who left additional comments at the questionnaire, 12% highlighted the lack of training/qualification of the sworn translators and 37% emphasized the necessity of training/qualification for these professionals. Two ways of improving this condition would consist in changing the structure of the oral exams, so that they would comprise the working modes used by interpreters in their professional practice and promoting courses directed to this target-audience, promoted by public universities or by the Commercial Board of Ceará itself.