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.