The legacy of 1913
«… at repræsentere standen, haandhæve dens stilling og anseelse utadtil samt skape et samhold blandt translatørerne.»From the founding minutes, Kristiania Stock Exchange, 14 November 1913
The association’s purpose, as recorded that same evening. We carry the same mission today. 28 translators, “ladies as well as gentlemen”, attended, and all of them joined. When the minutes were completed, 36 names stood on the membership list — the last eight were colleagues who signed up without being present, among them three of the conveners.
1913
Founded at the Exchange
Founded on 14 November at the Kristiania Stock Exchange. 28 translators attended, 36 enrolled as members.
1956
Out into the world
Around 30 members, with international contacts and translation courses abroad.
1965
Protecting the title
The association works to have the translator title protected by law.
1975
121 members
306 government authorised translators nationwide. The association publishes the journal “Translatøren”.
1997
State authorisation
State authorisation by royal decree and a new authorisation exam at NHH.
Today
Around 200 members
Government authorised translators across roughly 30 languages, throughout the country.
Document archive
About STF and the portal
Association of Government Authorized Translators
The Association of Government Authorized Translators (STF) was founded on 14 November 1913 and is one of the world’s oldest translator associations. It brings together government authorised translators with documented professional competence and works to uphold quality, responsibility and professional standards in the field of translation.
What does STF work for?
STF exists to safeguard the interests of its members and strengthen public understanding of the role played by government authorised translators. Its work includes:
- 01
working for greater recognition of government authorised translators as a highly qualified professional group
- 02
promoting good professional practice and clear standards of conduct
- 03
supporting members with advice, information and a professional community
- 04
building greater awareness among authorities and user groups of the importance of high-quality translation
- 05
maintaining high professional standards and strengthening collegial ties between government authorised translators
The association today
The professional tradition lives on. Images from STF’s annual meeting, where members gather for professional exchange and a sense of community.
A language community with real breadth
STF’s members currently represent around 30 languages. That breadth makes the association relevant to public-sector bodies, professional buyers and private individuals alike whenever quality and accuracy matter.
- Arabic
- Bosnian
- Bulgarian
- English
- Estonian
- Finnish
- French
- Greek
- Icelandic
- Italian
- Japanese
- Chinese
- Croatian
- Kurdish
- Lithuanian
- Dutch
- Norwegian
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Romanian
- Russian
- Serbian
- Swedish
- Czech
- Turkish
- German
- Hungarian
- Urdu
Board, statutes and organisation
STF is led by a board that oversees the association’s work, statutes, professional priorities and member interests.
The current board consists of Halvor Halvorsen (chair), Helle Gulowsen, Richard Sciaba and Geale de Vries.
Deputy board members are Alisa Ye, Jennifer Richmond and Simona Rehak.
What does this mean for Translatørportalen?
Translatørportalen is the association’s open-facing interface towards the market. Its role is to make it easier to find the right government authorised translator and to set the right expectations about what STF is and is not.
That means the site should communicate professional credibility while also helping visitors choose the right next step: submit a request, search the directory or learn more about the profession.
Current board
Board members
- Halvor Halvorsen, chair
- Helle Gulowsen
- Richard Sciaba
- Geale de Vries
Deputy members
- Alisa Ye
- Jennifer Richmond
- Simona Rehak
Colophon
- Concept and design
- Halvor Halvorsen
- Technical development
- Thomas Bjørnson Larsen
- Photography
- Sunniva Lind Høverstad
- Illustrations
- Steffen Kverneland
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Bjørnar Magnussen, the STF board and STF members for their input, support and contributions during the development of Translatørportalen.
Photographs, illustrations and other copyrighted works belong to their respective creators unless otherwise stated.