translation

Translation is the process of expressing the sense of text from one language into another. In the article, “A History of Translation and How We Translate Texts Today,” it states that there are approximately 6,500 spoken languages in the world with around 2,000 of the languages spoken by less than 1,000 people this creates a tremendous need for translators and translation services. So many different languages can create a divide and in many cases terrible misunderstandings, yet in this day and age we have professional translation companies and advanced technology that allow us to communicate with one another seamlessly despite language barriers.

Translation is important to modern day society due to the fact that we are more widely connected with one another around the world. People prefer to read, write and speak in their native language because it feels most comfortable. In the article, “Five-month-old babies prefer their own languages and shun foreign accents,” it states, “Even five-month-old infants, who can’t speak themselves, have preferences for native speakers and native accents.” People when reading books or shopping online will always choose the convenience of using their native language over a foreign one. Translation is a key factor in international or multicultural interactions, if we didn’t have translation then we would never be able to conduct business or share technological advancements among different countries and cultures. Translation is important on large and small scales for example, it may be a political document that needs to be translated for the United Nations or perhaps a sheet displaying directions on how to take care of a burn injury translated into Spanish for a patient who was severely burned and can’t speak English. Translations of all facets are important to people in everyday life.The importance and demand for translation services has grown in modern communities due to our connectivity. Translation helps people understand information and enables information to be widely spread on a global level.

Should You Become a Translator? Significant Traits and Qualities Translators Possess

If you have a love for languages, communication, reading and writing then working as a translator may be the perfect job for you. Normally translators work from home and can have flexible hours which is really appealing to most people. Being a translator is not a job for just anyone, there are many qualities a person must possess in order to acquire and keep working as a professional translator. A translator needs to be a good writer in order to convey the original meaning but also allow the reader to feel as though the translation was written it their mother tongue. This goes above and beyond word for word translations. Great translators tend to be overly meticulous, this trait allows translators to pay close attention to detail. Translating holds a person to a very high ethical standard, you are translating someone else’s work so you have to resist the urge to make it better or add or omit pieces that you feel may enhance the words you are translating. So having a strong ethical values is a plus when working as a translator. Translating requires you to use full concentration for long periods of time in order to accurately translate documents, so you must not be easily distracted. In order to be a good translator you must be very culturally aware of not only your personal culture but of the culture of the second language in which you speak, there will be many occasions in which you will need to translate nuances or idioms that may not be present in the language that you are translating into. It is your job to find the correct configuration of words that will allow the reader to accurately understand the original message that was being conveyed. These are just a few of the qualities that are essential when evaluating whether or not you want to work as a translator and if you are the type of person that would enjoy the concentrated work.

The Steps Taken to Become a Professional Translator and Certifications Required to Work in the Field

Finding the appropriate step by step course of study to become a translator may be difficult. Many translators have lived international lives and grown up in various countries and this is what has led them in the direction of becoming a translator. Others have always had the affinity for languages and writing so this brought them to consider translating as a career. Ultimately all types of people from all walks of life choose translations as their career path.

You must know the second language that you speak inside and out and if you have the opportunity to be culturally immersed in the country of the language you speak then you should take it. Living in the country of the language you speak is a sure fire way to become fluent with the language as well as the culture. Saying that you’re fluent in a language means that you are at the same level as an educated native speaker. It can also be a very good idea to study your own mother tongue as well.

When you are beginning college decide on a major that can boost your knowledge in the field. People who are professional translators tend to have Bachelor’s degrees in translation, language or writing. They may also choose a more specialized field like medical translating and they may acquire a biology degree to set up a base knowledge on the subject in which they will be translating for. Having certifications make a translator more employable. You can get certified in organizations such as the American Translators Association, National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators or the International Medical Interpreters Association. These certifications can really boost your resume and make you more marketable to future employers. Another great thing to do to prepare yourself to work as a translator is to get tested. Language proficiency tests such as the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) are giving to show potential clients that you are fluent in the second language that you speak. These steps can take you in the right direction in obtaining your goal to become a professional translator.

Market Yourself and Gain Essential Experience Needed to Work as a Professional Translator

Gaining as much experience as possible in translating should be at the forefront of your goals. Experience is the only thing that can really teach you the art of translating. Any chance you get to translate material is a great chance to broaden your mind and gain experience especially in the early stages of this career path. There are many websites set up to where you can log on and scroll through small or large freelance work that has been posted by potential clients in which you bid on the work, and the best candidate is normally the one hired. There are websites that require you to take a language competency test and your scores are put into a pool with other translators scores. The client can come in and choose which translator they would like to hire based on his or her scoring. These are great ways to gain experience and start putting together a portfolio of work examples to show clients.

Applying for a internship is a great way to get yourself out in the field not only in gaining experience in order to polish your craft but it allows you to meet working professionals in the field of translation as well. Internships are set up the same way in translating as they are in any other field, you may or may not get paid and at the end of the internship, depending on your performance you could possibly get offered a job.

Due to the fact that most translators normally work for themselves as freelancers or contractors, it is imperative that you market yourself as a hot commodity. You should carry your business cards with you everywhere you go. You never know when you may meet your next client. You could be at a coffee shop in the morning and start chatting with a man and he brings up the fact that he needs a presentation translated from Spanish to English and that is your specialty. Whip out that business card and you may have just sealed the deal with a new client. Some of the most prominent places for a translator to look for work especially in the early stages are hospitals, police stations, government agencies or legal offices.

Whether you are a legal translator, medical translator, political translator or you translate movies or books, choosing a job in the field of translating can be very rewarding. You are allowing others the ability to understand context that originated in another language. The importance of translation in our day to day lives in multidimensional. It allows people to globally interact in ways never done before and on many different levels. Accurate language translations bridge the gap in helping us all understand important information around us, even if it was not created in our own mother tongue. Becoming a translator is not always the easiest of jobs but it does have its rewards. You will have the chance to meet people from all over the world who speak many different languages. You will make connections with these people and grow from experiencing the differences amongst cultures. Overall being a translator is a respectable position of value that is mandatory in modern society.

Niki’s Int’l Ltd. is a WBENC-Certified Women Business Enterprise with 20 years of language service experience. A global network of highly skilled interpreters are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for on-site, telephonic and video remote interpretation services . Niki’s Int’l Ltd. offers many types of translation and interpretation services. Our linguists are available in over 350 languages and dialects, and our network includes certified translators and translation services. Our work is guaranteed with a $1 Million Errors & Omissions policy, so that you can be confident that your project will be completed with the highest level of quality and professionalism within the field. For more information contact us at 1-877-567-8449 or visit our website at www.nilservices.com.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Post comment