Chapter Q - Translation Service (TS)

Abstract

Translation service (TS) is required by the researchers for crossing over the language barrier and saving their valuable time. The translation work may be undertaken by various types of persons and agencies. If the volume of translation work in a library is considerable and the flow of demand for translations is continuous, professional staff translators may be appointed. Otherwise, a list or panel of professional freelance translators may be maintained and they may be contacted whenever necessary. Persons with a combination of language proficiency and subject knowledge are not found always. As such it is necessary to maintain a register of persons with such combinations for reference at need. Such registers/directories have been compiled in various countries. Translation agencies are in existence at different levels—local, national, and international. They employ translators and/or utilize the services of freelance translators and supply translations against payment. There are also translation pools—maintained both at national and international levels—which make available their holdings to each other through mutual cooperation. For easy and quick location of translations, the centers operating the translation pools maintain or bring out printed indexes. Union lists of translations are also brought out. Cover-to-cover translation is an important development in the field of translation of micro documents. It is translation of whole periodical issue from front cover to back cover. The librarian or information worker should work as a link between the user and the translator. He will receive demand for translation or anticipate the demand, get the translation done by a suitable translator or procure it form some agency or pool and then serve the translation to the user.