CIoL Diploma course
Chartered Institute of Linguists Diploma in Translation
Spanish > English
Introduction
The Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL) Diploma in Translation is a professional qualification which has been running since 1989. It is one of the few examinations that allows translators working from Spanish into English (and many other language combinations as well) to show that they have reached a professional level of competence.
The exam tests candidates' ability to translate a range of general and semi-specialist texts to a professional standard, and thus requires a) a high level of linguistic knowledge of the source language (in our case Spanish), and b) an ability to write effectively in the target language (in our case English). The aim of the examination is to set standards of quality and reliability in the field of translation, and to provide an assurance to prospective clients that successful candidates have met these standards.
In the UK it has come to be regarded as an entrance qualification to the profession. It is a challenging test of translating ability, but a fair one, in that candidates are allowed access to dictionaries and other works of reference and can use word processors (examination centre permitting). It is a practical, realistic exam, but only candidates who produce work of a professional standard will pass.
The Diploma in Translation Handbook provides a very full description of the exam. It is saved in one of the files in the first module, or can be accessed directly at the Institute's web site (www.iol.org.uk) The Institute runs exams from most major languages into English, and an exam from English into other languages as well. Candidates are strongly advised to translate only into their mother tongue.
Credit transfer
The CIoL Diploma in Translation is now eligible for credit towards an Open University BA/BSc degree.
Dates and applications
The examinations are held in mid-January each year.
Applications to sit the examination can be made through International House, Barcelona. The International House enrolment deadline for the Diploma in Translation examination is mid-July.
Alternatively, applications can be made to the CIoL directly. The CIoL enrolment deadline is July 31st.
- Diploma in Translation Examination
Chartered Institute of Linguists
Saxon House
48 Southwark St
London SE1 1UN
Examination and invigilation fees
Please note that the examination enrolment fee does not include the invigilation costs of the examining centre.
Please contact the Translation Department (contact details, foot of page) for current examination and invigilation fees.
Exam format
The exam is in three parts:
Paper 1: General translation with annotations (3 hours)
A text of about 600 words. The CIoL describes it as demanding but non-specialized. The texts tend to be leader articles from quality newspapers on themes of cultural or social interest. Topics covered in the general translation papers so far have been:
1989: the health system1990: abortion1991: models of government in Spain1992: the press1993: drugs1994: the influence of television1995: a royal wedding1996: religion in Latin America1997: the film El día de la bestia1998: the Spanish miracle1999: democracy in Spain2000: autonomous government in Catalonia
2001: Prince Felipe's private life
2002: (no exam)
2003: Cannes Film Festival
2004: scientific advances
2005: patriotism
Candidates are expected to translate the text to a professional standard.
Paper 2: Semi-specialized translation (2 hours)
Candidates choose one of three texts of a semi-specialized nature of around 450 words, in the subject areas of:
A technology
B business
C literature
Subject areas that may be covered under these headings can be found in the Diploma Handbook (p.19). Over the past few years, paper 2 has dealt with the following areas:
1992 Technology: computerization of drug administration in hospitals
Business: slump in investments. Literature: extract from Cristóbal Nonato, by Carlos Fuentes1993 Technology: acoustic properties of different materials. Business: the end for unsuccessful executives. Literature: extract from El huevo del juicio, by Camilo José Cela1994 Technology: the multimedia revolution. Business: hypermarkets. Literature: extract from Nubosidad variable, by Carmen Martín Gaite1995 Technology: chips with rat neurons. Business: the demise of Galerías Preciados. Literature: extract from Todas las almas, by Javier Marías1996 Technology: Puertollano power plant. Business: pay policy for executives. Literature: extract from Amado amo, by Rosa Montero1997 Technology: wind generators. Business: tax breaks. Literature: extract from Beltenebros, by Antonio Muñoz Molina
1998 Technology: water sampling. Business: shares and euros. Literature: extract from La oveja negra, by Ana María Matute1999 Technology: filter systems. Business: laws on contracts. Literature: extract from Todos los fuegos el fuego, by Julio Cortázar
2000 Technology: industrial valves. Business: e-commerce and tax problems. Literature: extract from Dernière lettre à Marie by Carlos Álvarez Luso.
2001 Technology: cable system specification and invitation to tender. Business: the progress of Pulligan, a textile company. Literature: extract from La querencia by Pilar Zapata Bosch.
2002 No exam
2003 Technology: the effect of lead on the workings of the petrol engine. Business: the Seville summit of heads of EU governments. Literature: extract from La Mano del Emigrante, by Manuel Rivas.
2004: Technology: mobile phone viruses. Business: the Stock Exchange. Literature: extract from La aventura del tocador de señoras, by Eduardo Mendoza.
2005: Technology: the technical features of the new Porsche 911. Business: movements in European and Spanish Stock Exchanges in response to crude oil prices. Literature: extract from Veinticuatro veces, by Pilar Bellver.
The word to stress here is semi-specialized. The texts are not as complex as ones that
technical, financial or legal translators deal with in real life. Nonetheless, in practice, those who
attempt Paper 2 (A) or (B) or Paper 3(D) do require some background in technology, business or science.
Candidates translate ONE of these texts. There is no need to decide beforehand which text you are going
to choose, although obviously some candidates already have a clear idea. Others read through all the
options and then take a decision. In the IH distance learning course, module 6 focuses on the literature
paper, module 7 on the technology paper, and module 8 on the business paper.
Paper 3: Semi-specialized translation (2 hours)
Candidates choose one of three texts of a semi-specialized nature of around 450 words, in the subject areas of:
D science
E social sciences
F law
Until 2000, Paper 3 had only two options, science and humanities. In 2001, the humanities
paper was replaced by a social sciences paper and a new option, in law, was offered for the first time.
Subject areas that may be covered under these headings can be found in the Diploma Handbook.
Over the past few years, Paper 3 has dealt with the following areas:
1992 Science: surface-active agents. Humanities: emigration to North Africa
1993 Science: sex, hormones and the brain. Humanities: a changing society
1994 Science: thrombosis. Humanities: Sartre
1995 Science: the slimming hormone. Humanities: a new dictionary
1996 Science: the human genome. Humanities: tourism
1997 Science: microbial resistance to antibiotics. Humanities: the construction of Europe
1998 Science: the Hale-Bopp comet. Humanities: belonging to Europe
1999 Science: impedance microbiology. Humanities: Andalusian society
2000 Science: spectroscopy. Humanities: Hollywood and the European cinema
2001 Science: characteristics of a pharmaceutical product. Social Sciences: the social theories of John Rawls. Law: Catalan government legislation on cohabitation
2002 No exam
2003 Science: a clinical case report of visual disorders in an obese patient. Social sciences: article on the work of a professor of linguistics. Law: the rights of foreign nationals in Spain
2004 Science: stem cell sources. Social Sciences: problems facing INEM, Spain’s national employment agency; Law: problems facing buyers of new property from housing developers
2005 Science: scabies in animals; Social Sciences: Perón and the Argentine trade unions; Law: the procedure for applying to the petty claims court
Again, candidates translate ONE of these texts. In the IH distance learning course, module 6 focuses on the humanities paper, module 7 on the science paper, and module 8 on the law paper.
Candidates may sit all three papers in the same session, or may choose to sit the General Paper one year, and the other two papers the next year.
Grades
Distinctions may be awarded for an outstanding performance in any paper, and a Merit grade may be gained for work of a higher standard than that required for a Pass.
There are two fail grades, F4 and F5, F4 being the less serious, and F5 being a considerable way off the required standard.
Marking guidelines can be found in the Diploma Handbook.
CIoL courses
In situ course | Distance course | Refresher course
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