Become a translator: Rewarding career for candidates

In today’s job scarcity market, one of the most flourishing career options is translation. It is gaining importance with technological revolution and linguistic abilities are being appreciated more than ever. Translation can be highly emergent career, either as a full-time vocation or as a supplement to your writing jobs.

Basic job of translators is to convert information from one language into another language. Translators work in written language.

To be a capable translator, candidates must have flawless writing skills in mother tongue. The best way to successfully break into the translation industry is with a degree or post-graduate qualification in translation. A number of universities offer an MA or MSc in translation studies.

Educational qualification: Most entry-level Translation positions require a bachelor's degree in addition to expertise in at least two languages and experience gained through internships. Certification may be required for some positions and can enhance earning potential

Skills needed as a translator:

 - Patience

-Attention to detail

-composition

-Ability to work to deadlines

-Good general knowledge

-Excellent spoken and written English

-Fluency in at least two foreign languages

-IT skills

Translators must be experts in two languages. They must also possess superior writing, editing, and grammar skills in their target language. Computer and word processing skills are needed, and familiarity with translation software programs is becoming increasingly important.

Translation should not be observed as an activity that involves only word-by-word translation of text from one language to another. In practice, it involves moving the soul of a text into a different body. One of the best ways to improve skills as a translator is to analyse the translation work done by other writers. This will give candidates an idea of the level of creativity required while executing the work as a professional. It is to remember that it will take time to learn the craft and the business. Candidates need to spend the first few years of career in learning the tones of the craft.

Guidelines for Translation:

Practise written skills in the language as much as possible. While it is important to be able to speak a language well, writing skills are equally important in opting a career in translation.

Some tips for translation job are as under:

-Pay special attention to the field that candidates intend to specialize in.

-Read extensively. This is essential in order to improve command of the language. The Internet is an excellent resource for books and other material.

-Use every opportunity to speak the language with a native speaker.

-Develop good writing skills in the target language. A translator is first a good writer.

Normally, translators work with business, technical, legal and scientific written materials including letters, reports, articles, books etc.

Their work includes:

Reading documents

Writing and editing copies

Preparing summaries

Consulting clients

Developing contacts and using translation computer programmes

Employers of translators:

Translation companies

Commercial and industrial organisations

The European Union

The Civil Service

International bodies such as the United Nations

Job prospects are good for translators. There are numerous opportunities for Translators in education, the private sector, government, healthcare, and the legal system. Most of the translators are self-employed.