The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission organized an open virtual meeting titled “The Future of the Translation Profession in Light of Accreditation,” with the participation of specialists and stakeholders. The meeting addressed the role of professional accreditation in raising practitioners’ competence, enhancing translation quality, and shaping the profession’s future in the Kingdom. It also introduced the “Certified Translator” program and highlighted its role in regulating and developing the translation profession.
The meeting highlighted the “Certified Translator” program’s contribution to elevating translation as a professional practice based on clear standards of competence and quality. The program aims to empower practitioners, improve the quality of translation output, and ensure that the profession keeps pace with developments across various sectors in the Kingdom.
Participants discussed the distinction between licensing and professional accreditation. While licensing provides offices and institutions with legal authorization to practice, professional accreditation applies to individuals and demonstrates their professional competence. Translator accreditation is linked to the language, direction of translation, and field of specialization, including legal, medical, and other areas. This approach helps enhance the accuracy of professional practice and clarify the responsibilities of all parties involved in the translation sector.
The meeting also examined the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of translation, emphasizing that technological advances do not eliminate the role of professional translators. Rather, they reinforce the need for human expertise to review AI-generated outputs and verify their linguistic, cultural, and ethical accuracy. The next stage will require translators to develop the ability to use and manage artificial intelligence tools responsibly, while strengthening the creative, analytical, and human skills that remain essential to professional translation.
Source: Riyadh Daily