I may need to speak with some business people while I'm in Hungary and would like to have a well spoken English speaking translator.

Where is the best place to locate such a person?

Thank you. Olga

Hi Olga,

Have you gone to www.google.com and entered "Hungary translator"?

Hi,
The official term for someone that does this kind of spoken translation work is "interpreter" so you'll probably have more luck doing a Google search for Hungary +interpreter.

You could also try visiting www.proz.com (well-established international translators' community and marketplace) and searching the members directory for a hungarian interpreter. I just did a quick search there and found a few possible names: http://www.proz.com/index.php3?sp=wi&pair=hun_eng &c=Hungary&d=6&keyword_string=interpre ter &ml=1&submit=yes (NB - delete the spaces from the URL!)

Other similar translation marketplaces include www.translatorscafe.com and www.gotranslators.com (although ProZ probably has the largest membership).

You could also try the Hungarian association of translation companies, at www.mfe.hu

If you're really stuck and can't find one by other research methods, you might try calling this organization for advice on how to find a translator. They probably have lots of connections. (It's a Hungarian library/museum/cultural org. in New Brunswick, NJ.)

http://www.ahfoundation.org/

If you contact the Hungarian consulate - or check their web site - they will provide info on how to contact interpreters appropriate for business purposes - which will be different from - and probably much more expensive than a typical tourist translator/guide.

You might also try the Budapest Tourist Office to see if they have a list of business interpreters (who can help with local business standards/practices and contacts as well as just interpreting).

I second the advice of asking the Hungarian embassy or consulate.

Are you certain that the Hungarian business partner won't be providing an interpreter? Also, many business people in Hungary have a very good knowledge of English. That said, you should definitely hire a Hungarian for the job once you get there (Hungarian is hard to learn for foreigners).

If you are a US citizen (or work for a US company) in addition to the other, good ideas suggested already, you can try the US Commercial Service's office in Budapest

http://www.buyusa.gov/hungary/en/218.html

Based on my experience with this group (part of the US Department of Commerce) in Russia, their services are top-notch. Generally their interpreters function not only to translate but also to give you an idea about body language and other unspoken activity-it often goes into the realm of business consulting. Sometimes I recommend to business clients that they bring along an interpreter (even if the other side has an interpreter or bilingual staff) because some people aren't as bilingual as they say, or they prefer to speak through an interpreter (a skill that many former diplomats possess), and in general it makes a good impression on the local business contacts.