[This self-assessment tool is available in Polish, Romanian, Slovene, and Spanish. Switch language in the top right menu. Some of the documents are only in English.]

Self-Assessment Tool

This self-assessment tool is an interactive version of the proposed framework of translation competence descriptors for A and B levels, with their sub-levels grouped in five competences: language competence etc.

The tool offers indicative information about the user’s level of translation competence reached in each category (i.e. language competence, extralinguistic competence, instrumental competence, service provision competence, and methodological and strategic competence).

The tool raises awareness of the skills that need to be developed further and encourages users to hone them. Used in formal education (higher education, vocational training, etc.) or non-formal education (private language schools, continuous learning, etc.), it serves as an instrument to periodically monitor progress in the acquisition of translation competence. It is an ideal tool for translators and translation students, in that it allows them to critically self-reflect and trace out a path towards professional translation.

The resulting PDF file is not an official certificate.

Definitions of the most important concepts and terms used in the framework and the tool can be found in this glossary. Examples of text genres expected to be translated, cultural and world knowledge, and documentation and technological resources can be found in the annexes below, which are part of the Third NACT Proposal.

Annexes of examples:

Annex 1. Text genres expected to be translated
Annex 2. Cultural and world knowledge
Annex 3. Documentation resources and technological resources

How to cite this publication:

EFFORT Project (2023). Self-assessment tool. https://www.effortproject.eu/framework-for-translation-levels-a-b/self-assessment-tool/

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User Data

To take the test, you must first provide the data requested below. Your data will be anonymous and used for statistical purposes only.

Language combination

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Language Competence

Please select ALL descriptors that apply to you from the following list. You must select at least one of this competence’s descriptors to be able to continue to the next competence. Since higher level descriptors cover attainment of lower level descriptors, many descriptors are not repeated in higher levels unless there is a difference in the level of difficulty. The main differences between similar descriptors have been highlighted to facilitate the completion of the test.

I can understand complex semi-specialized source-language texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, to which end a minimum of CEFR reading comprehension level C1 is desirable.

I can produce complex semi-specialized target-language texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, to which end a minimum of CEFR written production level C2 is desirable.

I can understand simple semi-specialized source-language texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, to which end a minimum of CEFR reading comprehension level C1 is desirable.

I can produce simple semi-specialized target-language texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, to which end a minimum of CEFR written production level C2 is desirable.

I can understand different types of non-specialized source-language texts with different registers, to which end a minimum of CEFR reading comprehension level B2 is desirable.

I can produce different types of non-specialized target-language texts with different registers, to which end a minimum of CEFR written production level C1 is desirable.

I can understand different types of non-specialized source-language texts in standard language, to which end a minimum of CEFR reading comprehension level B2 is desirable.

I can produce different types of non-specialized target-language texts in standard language, to which end a minimum of CEFR written production level C1 is desirable.

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Extralinguistic Competence

Please select ALL descriptors that apply to you from the following list. You must select at least one of this competence’s descriptors to be able to continue to the next competence. Since higher level descriptors cover attainment of lower level descriptors, many descriptors are not repeated in higher levels unless there is a difference in the level of difficulty. The main differences between similar descriptors have been highlighted to facilitate the completion of the test.

I can apply advanced knowledge of my own culture and basic knowledge of the other culture (comparable to secondary education level) and identify differences between the two cultures to translate complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation.

I can apply advanced world knowledge to translate complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation.

I can apply basic knowledge of specialized areas to translate complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation.

I can apply advanced knowledge of my own culture and basic knowledge of the other culture (comparable to secondary education level) and identify differences between the two cultures to translate simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation.

I can apply advanced world knowledge to translate simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation.

I can apply basic knowledge of specialized areas to translate simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation.

I can apply basic knowledge of my own culture and basic knowledge of the other culture (closely linked to everyday experiences) and identify differences between the two cultures to translate non-specialized texts with different registers.

I can apply basic world knowledge to translate non-specialized texts with different registers.

I can apply basic knowledge of my own culture and basic knowledge of the other culture (closely linked to everyday experiences) and identify differences between the two cultures to translate non-specialized texts in standard language.

I can apply basic world knowledge to translate non-specialized texts in standard language.

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Instrumental Competence

Please select ALL descriptors that apply to you from the following list. You must select at least one of this competence’s descriptors to be able to continue to the next competence. Since higher level descriptors cover attainment of lower level descriptors, many descriptors are not repeated in higher levels unless there is a difference in the level of difficulty.

I can use reliable and appropriate specialized documentation resources to translate complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation (e.g. specialized dictionaries, specialized search engines, specialized corpora, consultation with translators and professionals from other fields of knowledge). [Language combination and professional context permitting]

I can perform complex queries in specialized documentation resources to translate complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation.

I can use advanced technological resources to translate complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation (e.g. assisted translation systems). [Language combination and professional context permitting, and if required in the professional context]

I can create ad hoc documentary resources to translate complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation. [If required in the professional context]

I can adjust technological resources to my own translation needs to improve efficiency (e.g. training a machine translation system).

I can use technological resources for the management of accounting and budgeting for service provision (e.g. programs for creating quotes and invoices). [If required in the professional context]

I can use reliable and appropriate specialized documentation resources to translate simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation (e.g. specialized dictionaries, specialized search engines, specialized corpora, consultation with translators and professionals from other fields of knowledge). [Language combination and professional context permitting]

I can perform complex queries in specialized documentation resources to translate simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation.

I can use advanced technological resources to translate simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation (e.g. assisted translation systems). [Language combination and professional context permitting, and if required in the professional context]

I can create ad hoc documentary resources to translate simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation. [If required in the professional context]

I can use technological resources for communication and promotion for service provision (e.g. social networks specifically for translation). [If required in the professional context]

I can use reliable and appropriate general documentation resources to translate non-specialized texts with different registers (e.g. historical and etymological dictionaries, dictionaries of neologisms, dictionaries of slang and colloquialisms, machine translation systems). [Language combination permitting]

I can perform complex queries in general documentation resources to translate non-specialized texts with different registers.

I can use basic technological resources to translate non-specialized texts with different registers (e.g. text processors, machine translation systems). [Language combination permitting]

I can use reliable and appropriate general documentation resources to translate non-specialized texts in standard language (e.g. monolingual and bilingual dictionaries, general search engines, grammars, style guides, parallel texts). [Language combination permitting]

I can perform basic queries in general documentation resources to translate non-specialized texts in standard language.

I can use basic technological resources to translate non-specialized texts in standard language (e.g. text processors). [Language combination permitting]

I can use basic technological resources for communication (e.g. messaging programs, file sharing platforms).

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Service Provision Competence

Please select ALL descriptors that apply to you from the following list. You must select at least one of this competence’s descriptors to be able to continue to the next competence. Since higher level descriptors cover attainment of lower level descriptors, many descriptors are not repeated in higher levels unless there is a difference in the level of difficulty. The main differences between similar descriptors have been highlighted to facilitate the completion of the test.

I can meet the profession's ethical requirements when carrying out a translation task and when interacting with the actors involved in a translation assignment.

I can provide services related to translation other than translating, e.g. linguistic consultancy; revision; post-editing. [If required in the professional context]

I can work in coordination and negotiate with the actors involved in a translation assignment to determine deadlines, rates, invoicing methods, the nature of any contract involved, rights and responsibilities, the project's specifications, etc., fulfilling the conditions established and maintaining an efficient workflow. [If required in the professional context]

I can produce quotes for different tasks, applying rates that factor in each assignment’s profitability (i.e. time required, level of difficulty and deadline). [If required in the professional context]

I can manage basic tax requirements, translation contracts and possible conflicts arising from non-payment. [If required in the professional context]

I can manage workflow-related administrative tasks. [If required in the professional context]

I can manage the physical and virtual working environment.

I can identify the professional competences required of a translator.

I can identify the different sources of work and working arrangements of translators, and how they affect professional practice.

I can identify the different areas in which a translator can specialize and the characteristics of those areas.

I can identify the different tasks a translator may perform.

I can identify the different institutions involved in professional practice (professional associations and guilds) and their corresponding functions and ethical requirements.

I can identify different types of briefs and the different purposes they entail for translated texts: the same purpose as the original text (equifunctional translation), informative, accompanying the original text, adaptation, etc.

I can identify the characteristics of a translation's brief when the purpose of the translated text is the same as that of the original text (equifunctional translation).

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Methodological and Strategic Competence

Please select ALL descriptors that apply to you from the following list. You must select at least one of this competence’s descriptors to be able to continue to the next stage. Since higher level descriptors cover attainment of lower level descriptors, many descriptors are not repeated in higher levels unless there is a difference in the level of difficulty. The main differences between similar descriptors have been highlighted to facilitate the completion of the test.

I can solve linguistic problems (lexis and grammar) in complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve textual problems (coherence, thematic progression, cohesion, text structure, genre conventions, style) in complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve explicit and implicit basic thematic problems in specialized areas, and explicit and implicit complex cultural and world knowledge problems in complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve complex intentionality problems (intertextuality, speech acts, presuppositions, implicatures) in complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve problems stemming from complex briefs in complex semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve linguistic problems (lexis and grammar) in simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve textual problems (coherence, thematic progression, cohesion, text structure, genre conventions, style) in simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve explicit basic thematic problems in specialized areas, and explicit complex cultural and world knowledge problems in simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve basic intentionality problems (intertextuality, speech acts, presuppositions, implicatures) in simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve problems stemming from simple briefs in simple semi-specialized texts corresponding to at least one area of professional specialization in translation, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve linguistic problems (lexis and grammar) in non-specialized texts with different registers, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve textual problems (coherence, thematic progression, cohesion, text structure, genre conventions, style) in non-specialized texts with different registers, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve explicit and implicit basic cultural and world knowledge problems in non-specialized texts with different registers, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve basic intentionality problems (intertextuality, speech acts, presuppositions, implicatures) in non-specialized texts with different registers, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve problems stemming from simple briefs in non-specialized texts with different registers, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve basic linguistic problems (lexis and grammar) in non-specialized texts in standard language, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve basic textual problems (coherence, thematic progression, cohesion, text structure, genre conventions, style) in non-specialized texts in standard language, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve explicit basic cultural and world knowledge problems in non-specialized texts in standard language, using a translation methodology and strategies.

I can solve problems stemming from simple briefs in non-specialized texts in standard language, using a translation methodology and strategies.

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