RESOURCES

TRANSLATION RESOURCES

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Translating for international organizations requires more than language proficiency: it means understanding legal frameworks, following institutional style, and working with specialized tools. Here I share key resources —manuals, databases, corpora, and platforms— that I use or recommend to professionals working, or hoping to work, in this demanding and fascinating field.

 

Manuals and guides

• UN Translation Manual: https://ls-sts.unog.ch/sites/default/files/2023-09/Manual%20de%20traduccion_08092023_0.pdf

• UNOG language resources portal: https://ls-sts.unog.ch/

 

Usage guides and specialized resources

• UN general usage guide: https://ls-sts.unog.ch/sites/default/files/2023-07/Dudario_general_072023.pdf

• UN legal usage guide: https://pdfcoffee.com/dudario-juridico-servicio-de-traduccion-al-espaol-5-pdf-free.html

• Institutional resources for specific subject areas (e.g., law): https://ls-sts.unog.ch/recursos/derecho

• Institutional resources for specific languages (e.g., French): https://ls-sts.unog.ch/basic-page/recursos-de-frances

 

Terminology databases

• UNTERM : https://ls-sts.unog.ch/basic-page/recursos-de-frances

• IATE : https://iate.europa.eu/

• WTOTERM (WTO terminology database): https://wtoterm.wto.org/

• FAOTERM (FAO terminology database): https://www.fao.org/faoterm/es/

 

Corpora and text databases

• United Nations Official Document System: https://www.un.org/es/documents/ods/

• DtSearch Portal (UN): https://conf-dts1.unog.ch/

• WTO public trilingual corpus: https://www.wto.org/spanish/res_s/corpus_s/corpus_s.htm

• LETRINT corpus (a corpus of texts from the UN, the EU, and the WTO, compiled in an academic setting): https://letrint.unige.ch/LETRINT-Q/

 

CAT and machine translation tools

• eLUNa, the UN translation platform: https://www.youtube.com/@gTextproject

• SDL Trados Studio, used at the WTO and WIPO

• WIPO Translate and DeepL, used at the WTO

 

Translation in these settings is both linguistic and strategic work. Knowing where to look, how to cross-check information, and when to question a choice can make the difference between an adequate text and a truly professional one.

 

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INTERPRETING RESOURCES

 

Interpreting requires quick thinking, precision, and a trained ear. It also calls for practical tools: authentic speech banks, mental agility exercises, terminology lists, and technical resources designed by and for interpreters. Below is a selection of materials provided by staff interpreters at the United Nations:

 

Authentic speeches for practice:

• Geneva recordings portal: https://conf.unog.ch/digitalrecordings/en

• Speech bank for interpreting practice: https://speechbank.un.org/en/speech-search

• UN Web TV: https://webtv.un.org/

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Key lists and documents:

• Member States in Spanish (official names): https://www.un.org/es/about-us/member-states

• UN terminology database: https://unterm.un.org/unterm2/

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Number practice:

• Numerizer, for practicing the oral interpretation of numbers: https://www.numerizer.pro/

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Technical training:

• Chris Guichot de Fortis's practice guide, with training materials and advice: https://interpretertrainingresources.eu/studying/practice-guichot-de-fortis/

• Video on a growth mindset in interpreting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY0wJWO_vo8

• Language enhancement exercises for conference interpreters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIngThw913A&t=34s

 

Interpreting requires daily practice. Like any high-performance discipline, it improves through consistent training and high-quality resources. I hope these materials help you continue developing your technique, listening skills, and professional judgment.

 

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ORGANIZATION AND PRODUCTIVITY RESOURCES

 

Quality in translation and interpreting depends not only on language expertise, but also on how we manage our time, projects, and mental energy. Staying focused, keeping track of assignments, and working consistently are essential to handling demanding projects without compromising quality.

Here I share some simple but effective tools I use to stay organized in my day-to-day work as a freelancer.

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• Pomodoro (Chrome extension): I use the Pomodoro Technique to create blocks of focused work (deep work) and avoid distractions. This extension lets me alternate between focused work periods and short breaks, helping me maintain concentration without burning out.

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• Trello: I organize my tasks on visual boards that let me quickly see the stage of each project. It is ideal for breaking work into concrete steps, prioritizing tasks, and planning busy weeks clearly.

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• Excel assignment tracker: I record every translation and interpreting assignment I complete, including the client, deadline, text type, hours worked, and fee. This spreadsheet helps me track my time, income, and workload, while identifying patterns and areas for improvement.

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Good translation depends on good management. These tools help me meet deadlines and work with greater awareness, clarity, and control over my processes. If you work independently, finding your own system can be just as important as finding the right word.