Requirements to get Licensed as a Public Translator in Panama

What is a Public Translator?

According to Executive Decree No. 975 of December 15, 2017, of Panama’s Ministry of Education, a Public Translator is defined as follows:

A professional recognized by the Ministry of Education, with sufficient knowledge of the Spanish language and one or more additional languages to accurately transmit the terms in the source language into the target language both orally and in writing. This individual of vast culture and with good grammar has sufficient technical, judicial, commercial, literal, and general vocabulary or culture to allow them to perform their functions effectively. 

In addition, it states that public institutions require an official translation of every document issued in any language that is not Spanish to produce a legal effect in the Republic of Panama or every document translated from Spanish into another language, when required. Official translations are required for oral depositions with legal effects in Panama or abroad. 

The difference between an Official Translator and a Public Translator

The main difference between an Official Translator and a Public Translator is that an Official Translator provides translation and interpretation services exclusively to a public entity. A Public Translator does not directly work for a public entity. 

Translator vs. Interpreter

There are two ways to transmit a message in a different language: by interpretation and translation. An interpreter conveys spoken language into a foreign language orally, while a translator focuses on written content. Since interpretation is conducted in real-time, this job requires someone who can work under pressure and possess outstanding communication skills. Considering that a translator can review the text to guarantee an accurate translation, translators completely translate the original text, while interpreters usually paraphrase. Intimate knowledge of the topic at hand is essential in both cases. 

Listed below are the interpretation and translation services provided in Executive Decree No. 975 of December 15, 2017, of Panama’s Ministry of Education:

1. Interpretation: Accurate transposition of any Spanish term into another language or vice versa; conducted orally for public and private matters. 

2. Sight Interpretation: To read a written text in one language and orally communicate its content in another.    

3. Consecutive Interpretation: the interpreter takes notes about the speaker’s message, and after a prudent lapse of time, the interpreter interrupts the speaker and presents a complete or summarized version of what was exposed. 

4. Whispered Interpretation: The interpreter whispers the translation into the client’s ear. 

5. Simultaneous Interpretation: the interpreter reformulates the speaker’s message within seconds into a language his audience understands without interrupting the speaker. 

6. True and Accurate Translation and Interpretation: translations and interpretations that are accurate expressions of documents or situations. To prevent sending a different message or interpretation from the original, the original format must be observed and followed, as well as the punctuation, idioms, wording, and intonation.

7. In Situ Translation: Written translation of what is spoken out loud in another language. 

8. Official Translation: Document translation from Spanish into a foreign language or vice versa, of public faith and ordered by a public authority in the exercise of their functions and for official matters, issued by a Public Translator duly recognized by the Ministry of Education. 

Responsibilities as a Translator

A person who has been designated as a Public Translator is able to offer translation and interpretation services, and their main goal is to give public faith in the accurate transfer or closest equivalence of a text or any verbal expression in the languages in which they are proficient. This is true for both translations and interpretations, official and private, in compliance with norms, guidelines, and practices established for each modality in the aforementioned professions. 

Part of the responsibilities of a translator include:

1. Transfer in writing the meaning of a document or text from its original language into the target language, according to the nature or purpose of the document in question, from any language into Spanish and vice versa;

2. Give public faith in the transfer of meaning in the writing of a document or text from its original language to the target language, keeping the same or most adequate conceptual integrity, registers, or lexicon between the languages of their competence through the stamp of their seal and authorized signature;

3. Provide forensic examinations in the languages of their competence when assigned as an Official Public Translator by any State Entity; and 

4. Research and keep up with matters related to grammar, spelling, syntax, and any other discipline necessary for the correct written command of the languages of their competence.  

It is forbidden for official translators to provide translations and interpretations to individuals conducting a procedure in the entity where the translator works.  

How to get licensed as a Public Translator in Panama

The Ministry of Education grants authorization to the person that meets the legal requirements to become a public translator in Panama.

Those interested in getting certified as a public translator must submit the following documents to the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Education (through an attorney in fact):

1. Power of attorney and petition memorandum, addressed to the Ministry of Education, requesting recognition as a public translator in the source and target languages.

2. Birth Certificate, issued by the Electoral Court through the Civil Registry Department, along with the corresponding tax stamps. 

3. Copy of citizen ID (cédula), duly authenticated by the Civil Registry Department of the Electoral Court, or in its defect, certified by a Public Notary. 

4. If the applicant is of foreign nationality, they must submit a copy of their passport duly certified by a Public Notary and an authenticated copy of their resident ID card issued by the National Immigration Service. 

5. Certificate of criminal record issued by the Judicial Investigation Department that proves that the applicant has not been convicted for economic or financial crimes, or crimes against public administration, public faith, or the administration of justice, nor has an impediment by final judgment. 

After submitting the required documentation, the applicant will be subjected to tests on their knowledge and command of the source and target languages. The General Secretariat of the Ministry of Education will appoint two examiners to administer the exams and assess the participant’s language proficiency in the following areas: 

1. Oral Expression

2. Document translation or interpretation of conversations, lectures, or speeches in the source language into the target language and vice versa, as applicable per the request;

3. Composition;

4. Grammar and syntax; and

5. Spelling

The applicant must score at least ninety-one (91) points on each exam in order to pass and be granted the translator license. Anyone who fails one or both of the exams is ineligible to submit an application for a license within five (5) years after the previous request date.

The Ministry of Education will issue the recognition through a Resolution that will become valid upon publication in the Official Gazette. Once it’s published, the applicant must register their stamp and signature at the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Education in order to finish the process. After the signature and stamp verification process, the applicant will be given an ID card and granted authorization to offer translation and interpretation services in the Republic of Panama.

Sources:

Executive Decree No. 975 of December 15, 2017 – Ministry of Education Panama

Panama’s Administrative Code

Resolution 2448 of May 21, 2018 – Ministry of Education