Ali Yildirim MCIL CL MITI Certified English to Turkish Translator
Ali Yildirim – BA DipTrans MCIL CL MITI
Chartered English to Turkish Translator
Qualified Member of Chartered Institute of Linguists
Qualified Member of Institute of Translation and Interpreting
There is a popular argument whether computers are replacing human translators in today’s highly evolving and automated translation industry. Although machine translation and AI technologies have come a long way, there will always be need for human translators, especially in a very specialised industry like ours. Since the beginning of the last millennium many websites have been popping up, all claiming to offer fantastic quality services at rock bottom prices; it’s too good to be true, isn’t it? When you look at those websites, all those rock bottom prices are often offered by unqualified translators who can somehow afford work for those prices. On the other hand, when you commission a qualified professional with substantial experience to carry out a certain task, it’s a very different story. Every professional translator makes a living by translating and they therefore have to reflect cost of living, professional development and other related costs in their rates. Most qualified translators would have at least studied a degree or obtained an MA in translation studies or Diploma in Translation, and become a member of at least one professional institution unlike unqualified translators. I have obtained qualification in Translation (DipTransIoLET) and I have been a member of professional institutions during most of my professional career. 
Background
I have been working in the language services industry since 2004 and as a professional English to Turkish translator since 2012. I achieved “Merit” in the “Technology” option of my Diploma in Translation exam and a “Distinction” pass mark in the “Law” option. I was awarded “Chartered Linguist” status in 2019 by the Chartered Institute of Linguists. My initial degree and training was in “classical archaeology” with an additional module of “pedagogy” at the University of Istanbul. At university I had to teach myself Ancient Greek in order to obtain my first diploma. This helped me gain insight into language learning methodology. I was able to apply this methodology to learning English. I learned English by myself. Three years after arriving in the UK I obtained the necessary grade in language proficiency test (IELTS) in order to enrol at the University of London to study MA in History and Politics.
I had to stop my studies after the first year of the two-year part-time course and instead focused on building my career in the language services industry and established Bosphorus Language and Translation Services (now Bosphorus Translation). I taught Turkish for Defence School of Languages and South Downs College, worked as an interpreter and bilingual teaching assistant for Portsmouth City Council. I then embarked on my journey to become a freelance translator! My background in archaeology along with self-learning of Ancient Greek and English, contribute highly to my general linguistic skill set! Read more about my story here. Since then, I have provided services for many companies and organisations such as Nokia, Canon, Xerox, Portsmouth City Council, Defence School of Languages, Greater London Authority, Arsenal Football Club, British Football Association, Transport for London, IEMA, Google, YouTube, Nike, and countless others. I am committed to professional development and I constantly strive to improve my skills in different areas of the profession – attending webinars, workshops and conferences, learning about new technologies, developing my vocabulary and reading relevant publications. Please check out my Linkedin and Proz.com as well as CIOL and ITI profiles for more information about my professional background, projects and feedback by translation companies and direct clients. I am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and Qualified Member of Institute of Translation and Interpreting. My preferred translation CAT tool is Memoq 10. I also use SDL Trados Studio 2019.
