What is a certified/sworn translator?
Anyone can say, “I’m a translator.” However, there are degree-granting programs all over the world that actually award you a “degree in translation” and “make” you a certified translator. I graduated from such a program and was awarded the title of “state-certified translator” (i.e. certified by the state of Bavaria, Germany). Furthermore, I am a court-sworn translator. That is to say: I had to sit in a small room with a serious-looking guy, read a serious-sounding text from a piece of paper, raise my hand and swear an oath. The result of this oath is that I am now allowed to put a stamp on your translation for official purposes (should you need a stamp, that is). In Germany, you can only become a court-sworn translator if you become certified first (i.e. complete a degree-granting translation program).
