The Roles of Human Translators in the Financial Services Industry

Purposive sampling was used for this study.
A sample of eight participants (two from each FSP) was drawn from four selected FSPs in South Africa (two banks, and two insurance companies) to represent the population of experienced TSPs working in the financial sector. The sample of FSPs and TSPs in these organisations was guided by factors beyond the researcher’s control, i.e., who accepted the invitation to participate in the study. The sample included, specifically, employees working as TSPs, such as managers and freelancers affiliated with the language units of the selected FSPs were included. These participants were seasoned TSPs (with more than 10 years in the finance industry) currently working for one of the four selected major FSPs (large banks and insurance companies with a national presence), either in a full-time or freelance capacity. Their duties had to include the execution and (or) supervision of translation of company documents.

In addition, Phase One also included a sample of three junior language practitioners (JLPs) who worked in any of the FSPs in South Africa (either full-time or in a freelance capacity) to represent the sample of fairly new translators working in the industry, and in a broader sense, the population of JLPs from any of the local universities that offer training in Language Practice/ Linguistics. These JLPs were required to be working (or have recently worked) for any FSP in the country, either in a full-time or freelance capacity and their duties had to include translation. They also needed to have graduated from a local university within the last 10 years, possessing a qualification in language practice or a similar qualification, which included translation. This criterion ensured that the JLPs could provide an accurate representation of what they were taught at university (which may still be in the current curricula). Additionally, these participants were able to provide a first-hand account of whether they felt they had been adequately trained by their respective alma maters for their current and anticipated future roles as TSPs in FSPs.