hieronymic oath for translators

To ensure that translators both behavebehave and are treatedtreated as professionals it’s necessary to establish a code of professional conduct. This code will allow us to distinguish professional translators from amateurs.

In order to promote professionalization

and distinguish translators, a Hieronymic Hieronymic OathOath would set the basic moral precepts that would transcend national and corporate boundaries setting out core principles shared by professional translators everywhere.

Andrew ChestermanAndrew Chesterman, from Helsinki University was the person who suggested that translators should consider adopting a Universal Hieromymic Oath.

His original proposal had 9 points, but after a few modifications, only 8 remained. Andrew

Chesterrman

Hieronymic Oath

Original Proposal

Revised Proposal

I swear to keep this Oath to the best of my ability and judgement

I swear to be a loyal member of the translators profession, respecting its history. I will use my expertise, to maximize communication and minimize misunderstandings across language barriers. I will share my expertise with colleagues and pass it on to trainee translators.

Hieronymic Oath

Original Proposal

Revised Proposal

I swear to be a loyal member of the translators profession, respecting its history. I am willing to share my expertise with colleagues and pass it on to trainee translators.I will not work for unreasonable fees. I will alwas translate to the best of my ability.

I swear my translations will not represent their source texts in unfair ways

Hieronymic Oath

Original Proposal

Revised Proposal

I will use my expertise, to maximize communication and minimize misunderstandings across language barriers.

I will not work for unreasonable fees. I promise to meet reasonable negotiated deadlines, to give goo professional advice to all clients,and to deliver translations that both respect aothors’ intentions and are wholly adequate for their stated purpose and readership.

Hieronymic Oath

Original Proposal Revised Proposal

I swear that my translations will not represent their source texts in unfair ways.

I undertake to keep the professional secrets of my clients and not to exploit cclients’ information for personal gain.

Hieronymic Oath

Original Proposal Revised Proposal

I will respect my reader by trying to make my translations as accessible as posible, according to the conditions of each translation task.

I will inform clients in good time of unresolved problems, and agree to arbitration in cases of dispute.

Hieronymic Oath

Original Proposal Revised Proposal

I undertake to respect the professional secrests of my clients’ information for personal gain. I promise to respect deadlines and to followw clients’ instructions.

I will be honest about my own qualifications and my limitations. I will not accept work that is outside my competence.

Hieronymic Oath

Original Proposal

Revised Proposal

I will be honest about my own qualifications and my limitations. I will not accept work that is outside my competence.

I swear to be a loyal member of the translators profession, respecting its history. I will use my expertise, to maximize communication and minimize misunderstandings across language barriers. I will share my expertise with colleagues and pass it on to trainee translators.

Hieronymic Oath

Original Proposal

Revised Proposal

I will inform clients of unresolved problems and agree to arbitration in cases of dispute.

I swear to keep this Oath.

Original ProposalI will do all I can do to mantain and improve my competence, including all relevant linguistic , technical and other knowledge and skills.

•Translators who are not specialized work on translation of texts for publication. •The translator should make use of reading for pleasure.•Specialization is very important for this branch of education.•The non-professional translators are a bad example of the profession.

• Translators of the XXI century cannot stay only in the classroom, they must take writing courses, journalism, etc.

• Customer knowledge is vital in making a translation.

• Participation in specific topics of the company is essential for the proper translation.

• Observation is an important tool that the translator uses.