Law

How To Get A Job As A Translator

The work of a Military Translator may be dangerous.

Translators have really enviable skill in understanding, reading, writing, and interpreting more than one language.  They are employed by publishers, individuals, the armed forces, law firms, police, various businesses, and in all branches of the government.  Many Translators are freelance workers.  Some work exclusively from home.

As the world becomes smaller, it is more important than ever that people are able to understand one another.  There are good job opportunities, both at home and abroad,  for those who wish to become Translators.

Translators usually work in clean, well-lit surroundings.  They spend most of their working days sitting and much of the work, especially in courts or government bodies, may be rushed and stressful.  Much translation is done during regular working hours though, Translators who work on graduate publications or for individuals may work irregular hours.  Military Translators work when needed.

If you wish to have a home-based translation business, you will have to purchase all your own equipment, including a top grade computer, word-processing software, computer-aided translation  programs, a printer and a fax machine, as well as other office equipment.  To get you business up and running, you will also have to pay for advertising, on an ongoing basis.

If you want to get a job as a Translator, you must be hard-working, dedicated, detail oriented, have excellent computer skills and be able to relate well to others.  You must have excellent hearing and a clear speaking voice.  Needless to say your expertise in your own language and at least one other are essential.  Skilled Translators must be able to translate from their own language to another or from another to theirs with equal skill and speed.

If you get a job as a Translator, you may work on a variety of translations, including both written to written, and real time ‘spoken to written’, or ‘spoken to spoken’.  In ‘written to written’, you may be translating student papers, manuscripts, contracts, or business papers.  In ‘spoken to written’, you may be recording witness statements, or court proceedings. You man have to simultaneously write and report the translation.  In ‘spoken to spoken’ you may be working in places like the united nations where all verbal exchanges must be instantly translated so all those present can simultaneously understand.

Education

The most skilled Translators have a well-rounded education.  This means at least a Bachelors’ Degree and preferably post-graduate training in a foreign language and translation.

Skilled Translators also have knowledge about the culture, customs, and history of the country in which the ‘foreign’ language originates.  This is the best way to quickly translate language idiosyncrasies.

Experience in the use of all aspects of a language is key to good abilities with translation.  If humanly possible, live in the foreign country for as long as you are able.  Return their as often as possible to keep up with language changes.

While in the process of learning get all the experience you can in listening, speaking and translating.  Volunteer to teach immigrants your language.  You will learn theirs in the process.  Offer your services to friends.  Join a foreign social club. Read foreign newspapers.  If you hear a foreign language spoken, try to join in the group.

Once you have graduated, become a Certified Translation Professional.