Skills Required To Become a Professional Translator

Prepared By : Natasha Singh http://www.hsstranslationservices.com/

What Language Translator Does?

A language translator is one who converts the written word from one language to another. It is need not to be confused with language interpreter who translates orally or through sign languages. Fluency, in two or more languages, is an important and very first step of becoming a professional translator. It requires constant practice, experience and training. Apart from certification or accreditation from trusted universities

1. Writing Skills :

You are expected to be very knowledgeable about the language. You must know the correct usage of grammar, vocabulary and different styles of writing. For this you must read voraciously and practice writing like blogs, articles etc. Correct Spelling is an important essence of translation. You must try oxford dictionary spelling test.

Guidelines To Become a Professional Translator

2. Command Over Some Subjects :

You must have detailed knowledge about some subjects. It can be a subject of your specialisation like mechanics or subject of your interest like sports, yoga etc.

3. Excellent Grasp Over Foreign Language :

Apart from good knowledge of native language you must have full grasp over foreign language too. Good understanding requires lots of practice. You can read newspapers, watch movies, news and TV series in your foreign language for practice.

4. Networking Skills :

Translation is not a task of an

individual but a team. Translators

work in teams. They revise each

others’ work and give essential

feedbacks for improvisation. You must organise well in a team. Marketing and advertising your work requires good approaches and circles.

5. Adaptability:

Translation is ever changing profession. Translators should be flexible to pick up new skills and offer new services. For this you must read regularly and keep yourself updated with new styles of writings.

6. Organisational Skills :

Translation is very deadline-driven profession. You need to complete your work within specified time limit. This leaves a good impression of yours on your client.

7. General Knowledge :

You must be aware of general knowledge

and general awareness such as the changing

political, social and economic scenario of

different places and countries. This is

important as current affair may be asked in the works or the context and comparisons can be drawn. For this you must read newspapers daily in both native and foreign language.

8. IT Skills :

IT has touched every field of work.

Translation is not untouched too.

Translation, in fact, has become an

IT- driven profession. Translators

use emails, file formatting, translation memory retrieval and many specialised software for word processing. You must adapt yourself with the ever changing software's. The IT knowledge is important too.

9. Cultural Awareness :

Good understanding of culture is very important. Learning language is just not about language but understanding culture too. Sometimes, a word translated to contemporary in other language may change the whole context.

10 Love for Reading :

Translators are professional writers

so they must spend quality time reading

to develop good writing style. You

must read good novels, journals,

history books, science etc. Some translators are even paid for reading books for publishers to tell them whether the book is worth translating or not.

Thus, we have seen ten important steps to be followed to become a good professional translator. Remember perseverance and honesty is the key to success.

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