The United Nations was founded on the 24th of October, 1945. 50 countries were represented in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organization. There, they drew up the United Nations Charter. The goal of the UN is to maintain international peace and security. Many interpreters dream of working for the UN. It is a prestigious organization. So, how does one become a UN interpreter?
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UN Interpreter Requirements and Qualifications
First and foremost, UN interpreters are required to be fluent in multiple languages, not just two. The simultaneous interpreting process requires lightning-fast thinking, recognizing, and understanding words from one language to another. The topics covered are broad, including politics, human rights, economic and social issues, legal affairs, finance, and administration.
Interpretation is provided into the six United Nations official languages for conferences of the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Councils, and all subsidiary bodies. If all six languages are utilized, a team of 14 interpreters is required—two for English, French, Russian, and Spanish, with three per booth for Arabic and Chinese.
Understanding the United Nations Interpretation Structure
The UN interpretation system is structured under the following main bodies:
- General Assembly
- GA President
- Security Council
- SC President
- Economic and Social Council
- ECOSOC President
- Trusteeship Council
- International Court of Justice
- Secretariat
- Secretary-General
UN Interpreter Exam and Certification Process
According to the United Nations translation accreditation guidelines, language requirements include:
- Perfect command of one official language of the United Nations.
- UN interpreters for English, French, Russian, or Spanish must also possess excellent oral comprehension of two other official languages.
- Arabic or Chinese interpreters must also have excellent command of English or French.
To become a UN translator or interpreter, candidates must pass the UN interpreter exam, which evaluates language proficiency, interpretation skills, and knowledge of United Nations-specific terminology. The conference interpreter certification is an added advantage when applying for interpretation roles at the UN.
Working as a UN Interpreter
A United Nations interpreter must keep up with current world affairs and UN activities. More importantly, they must master the specific vocabulary used by the Organization, often referred to as “UNese.” While this is not required for the UN interpreter recruitment process, it is beneficial to be familiar with it before taking the exam.
As with any conference interpretation, interpreters must be able to comprehend different accents, speeds, and speech styles. Additionally, they must find proper cultural equivalents and account for linguistic and cultural nuances when translating between languages.
Typically, UN interpreters work in teams of two or three, switching every 20-30 minutes. They are often assigned up to seven or eight meetings per week. Occasionally, they may be required to travel for off-site meetings.
Steps to Apply for UN Interpretation Jobs
Becoming a United Nations interpreter is a challenging yet rewarding career path. If you aspire to work in this field, follow these steps:
- Meet the UN translator requirements, including fluency in multiple official languages.
- Complete relevant education and professional training in interpretation.
- Obtain conference interpreter certification if possible.
- Prepare for and pass the UN interpreter exam.
- Gain experience in UN translation and simultaneous interpretation.
- Apply through the UN interpreter recruitment process.
While demanding, working as a UN interpreter is an opportunity of a lifetime. For more details, visit the United Nations official website.
You may also be interested in the following:
Ebook: A Resource for Working With Interpreters and Interpretation Equipment
Article: Common Myths about Simultaneous Interpretation
