What is wrong with the training of the so-called qualified translators in Malta? Who are the people who grant diplomas and degrees to such incompetent people? Who are those who draw up lists of official incompetent translators?

Cases of people being chosen but who have no knowledge of the languages they are translating into or of the legal system or jargon used in the country they are translating for are well-known in the judicial field. In fact, their translations are usually refused because they cannot be understood and they were not done by sworn translators.

The ID office in Malta has been failing and it also dares publishing lists of “preferred translators” who are so incompetent they cannot even translate a marriage certificate properly. In other countries, mistakes spotted in such translations are not even found when the job is done by first-year students.

Lately, a translation that cost €45 caused us such a big hassle simply because the incompetent translator did not know what a prenuptial agreement was and it led to the ID office in Malta claiming the couple in question was not married when one could clearly read: “Marriage celebrated in XXXX, on XXXX; marriage certificate no. XXXX”.

Why is it that incompetence reigns supreme in Malta, especially when it comes to official documents? Why can they not train people properly? How dare people even translate from or into languages they do not understand correctly and do not master?

Translating does not only involve linguistic skills but one has also to understand the culture of the other country fully. That is precisely why one cannot offer professional services in five or more languages, as is the case in Malta.