They are authorized in 16 different languages - 15 European languages and Chinese. Because of the difficulty of the examination, only a handful of members are authorized in more than one language pair. English dominates, naturally enough, but there are also a number of German translators. The majority of STF's members are self-employed freelancers, but some work in translation companies as staff translators. Many of our members also have the outgoing nature and verbal skills that make them first-class interpreters , and a number of them are among Norway's best conference and court interpreters.
Translations cover a wide spectrum.
They range from the retelling of a poem to the exacting reproduction of a user's manual, from a pr cis containing the main points of a text, to a precise translation of a contract, in which a single misinterpretation can have major financial consequences. Many people who take great pains with the formulation of a text in their own language nevertheless fail to realize that translating that text will require the investment of quite as much effort. Nor are all native speakers blessed with the ability to translate well into their mother tongue. A good translation of specialized texts is contingent on the translator having extensive insight into not only the two languages, but also the subject matter and the culture of both source and target language. As a result the quality of translations can vary substantially, and this in turn is reflected in their price.