Mandarin Translation and Interpretation

Careers in Mandarin Interpretation

Thanks to globalization and immigration, opportunities abound for skilled individuals who can help those who speak English and Mandarin understand each other.

Interpreters work with spoken language, while translators focus on written materials. Both require a high level of accuracy, along with an understanding of technical and cultural references.

At De Anza College, the certificate program in Mandarin Translation and Interpretation is designed to prepare students for a career in legal and court interpretation. Students who complete the program may find jobs and careers as administrative hearing interpreters, conference interpreters, court interpreters, guide interpreters, legal translators, literary translators, medical interpreters or medical translators.

All program participants must be fluent in Mandarin and English and have a speaking proficiency equivalent to that of an educated native speaker.

Employment Outlook: 2020-2030

• The number of jobs for intepreters and translators is projected to increase by more than 20%

These ten-year projections for California employment are calculated by the state Employment Development Department, which collects data about the state's workforce and economic trends.

Mandarin Instruction at De Anza

The Mandarin Language Department at De Anza offers skilled instructors and programs for students who want to expand their opportunities on a personal and professional level.

Many Bay Area companies and employers do business in China, Taiwan, Singapore and other Asian countries. There is also high demand for individuals who can speak and interpret Mandarin in courtrooms, hospitals and health care facilities, and a variety of public agencies.

Studying the Mandarin language can be valuable in other ways.  California has a rich diversity of cultures and traditions, including those brought by Mandarin-speaking immigrants. Learning Mandarin can help promote multicultural understanding and spur both personal and intellectual growth.

Languages

• Mandarin Language and Culture - Certificate of AchievementDetails for Certificate of Achievement - Mandarin Language and Culture

  The Certificate of Achievement in Mandarin Language and Culture is designed to open employment opportunities for local students because of the large number of Bay Area companies conducting business and trade with China, Taiwan, Singapore and other Asian countries where Mandarin is widely used. The electronics industry in particular seeks to employ people who know Mandarin. For students planning to continue their undergraduate or graduate education in business, electronics, or law, this certificate will complement their studies. From a cultural standpoint, Mandarin study is valuable in California, with its rich diversity of cultural traditions represented by many Mandarin-speaking immigrants. Many Mandarin courses can also satisfy GE requirements for an associate degree and transfer GE requirements.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Mandarin Language and Culture - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Mandarin Language and Culture

  The Certificate of Achievement-Advanced in Mandarin Language and Culture is designed to open employment opportunities for local students because of the large number of Bay Area companies conducting business and trade with China, Taiwan, Singapore and other Asian countries where Mandarin is widely used. It is a two-year course of study designed to build a strong language foundation in communication as well as expose students to Chinese culture and literature. Students transferring to four-year schools who plan to major or minor in Mandarin are well prepared by this curriculum.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Mandarin Translation and Interpretation - Certificate of AchievementDetails for Certificate of Achievement - Mandarin Translation and Interpretation

  This certificate program is designed to prepare students for a career in legal and court interpretation. All program participants must be fluent in Mandarin and English and have a speaking proficiency equivalent to that of an educated native speaker. The potential careers students may enter upon completion include administrative hearing interpreters; Braille translators; conference interpreters; court interpreters; escort interpreters; guide interpreters; legal translators; literary translators; localization translators; medical interpreters and medical translators.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Mandarin Translation and Interpretation - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Mandarin Translation and Interpretation

  This certificate program is designed to prepare students for a career in legal and court interpretation. The courses in this program and designed to prepare students to pass the California Court Interpreter Certification Exam. All program participants must be fluent in Mandarin and English and have a speaking proficiency equivalent to that of an educated native speaker. The potential careers students may enter upon completion include administrative hearing interpreters; Braille translators; conference interpreters; court interpreters; escort interpreters; guide interpreters; legal translators; literary translators; localization translators; medical interpreters and medical translators.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

In addition to the programs listed above, you may be able to apply courses in this department toward General Education requirements.

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