Without translators, we would be living in a drab, monochromatic world. Translators are the geniuses who make an entire culture intelligible when converting the written word from one or more ‘source languages’ into the ‘target language,’ ensuring the original meaning is retained.

Translators spend their time working in an office, at official events, and meeting with clients. Translators who work remotely receive and submit their work electronically. Working as part of a small team is possible in translation agencies or companies in large cities.

Travel may depend on the kind of work assignments one accepts locally or across borders. A business casual dress code would do the trick unless otherwise specified.

Program de lucru

The majority of translators work freelance from home and enjoy flexi-hours. They have variable work schedules with periods of limited work interspersed with periods of long, irregular hours. Others work full time around 39 hours per week.

You may have to work evenings and weekends while attending official events or appointments. Part-time work is another option. Several projects may be juggled at the same time.

Despre angajatori

Translators may freelance or work in-house for their employers. Digital subtitling (for DVDs and computer games), website translation, and localization (adapting websites to local cultural contexts) are viable areas for work prospects. Audio-visual translation is expanding in response to disability legislation.

If finding a new job seems challenging, Translators can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Translators are generally employed by:

• Translation Agencies
• Clients
• Government Departments
• International Organizations
• EU Institutions
• Computer & Video Game Companies

Sindicalizare

Translators may freelance or work in-house for their employers. Digital subtitling (for DVDs and computer games), website translation, and localization (adapting websites to local cultural contexts) are viable areas for work prospects. Audio-visual translation is expanding in response to disability legislation.

If finding a new job seems challenging, Translators can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Translators are generally employed by:

• Translation Agencies
• Clients
• Government Departments
• International Organizations
• EU Institutions
• Computer & Video Game Companies

Provocari intalnite

• The pressure of deadlines and tight schedules; unpredictable workflow
• Humor is not a universal concept; language structure; words or phrases that may be different or missing in the target language
• Multiple meanings for a word; cultural differences leaking over into regional variants of a language

Cele mai importante

De preferat si urmatoarele

A good way for translators to learn firsthand about the occupation is to start working in-house for a translation company. Pre-entry experience is useful when applying for work. Translators may gain experience through volunteer opportunities and paid/unpaid internships.

Other helpful experiences for pursuing this career include spending time in a foreign country, interacting directly with foreign cultures, and studying a variety of subjects in English and at least one other language. Administrative experience is also helpful.

Volunteer opportunities are available through community organizations, hospitals, and sporting events, such as marathons, that involve international competitors. You may be able to apply for a much-sought-after five-month paid translation traineeship with the European Commission if you have a degree and can translate two EU (European Union) official languages into English. It may not lead to permanent employment but provides a valuable opportunity to learn something about the EU, work in the EU institutions and give you a taste of translation in an international environment.

Fluency in two or more languages may enable you to seek employment as a Translator. However, a bachelor’s degree in translation studies with languages, modern European and/or non-European languages, or business/law/science with languages may increase your chances of securing work.

Staff Translator posts in EU institutions require a degree and thorough knowledge of at least two European languages in addition to your mother tongue. All three languages must be official languages of the EU. International organizations prefer postgraduate qualifications in translation, especially if your first degree is in an unrelated subject.

It is always beneficial to be familiar with the area you may wish to specialize in, such as law, engineering, medicine, or business. Aspiring Translators without a degree will be able to study for the Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) provided they have a very high level of language ability and master a relevant course run by accredited linguistics institutes before taking the exam. Some employers prefer to gauge the skill level of prospective Translators through traditional testing programs.

Certificari & Diplome

Professional certification or accreditation from organizations like the International Federation of Translators (IFT) and the International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI) will give you an edge in landing plum assignments.

Once certified by an organization, your name and credentials are listed in their directory where potential clients can find them. Of particular value are certification programs in the fields of business, law, medicine, and science.

Acquiring certification in computer programs such as MS Office Programs, Desktop Publishing, Photoshop, InDesign, Computer Assisted Translation (CAT), and HTML will be to your advantage.

Additionally, accredited certification in content management systems, often abbreviated as CMS, will help you create, manage, and modify content on a website. You will need to pass enhanced background checks if your work is related to national security.

Smaller projects are usually undertaken initially as an in-house Translator for a translation agency or company. With enough experience, you can move up to more challenging assignments, seek certification, and obtain editorial responsibility. Membership with a professional body will ensure career development.

Career development as a freelancer depends on how many widely used modern languages you know, the number and type of clients you work for, and the fee you can command. If your expertise as a Translator is in a less commonly used language, you will need to develop a specialist client base through networking. You will then be able to charge higher rates than Translators working in the more common languages.

You may submit resumes and samples to different Translation companies that will match your skills with various jobs. You get work based on your reputation or through referrals from clients or colleagues. With several years of experience, it may be possible to set up your Translation agency.

Promotion prospects within international bodies such as the EU institutions and government departments have a clear grading system that increases managerial work as you progress. If you have completed a postgraduate degree, you may choose to work in academia and teach translation skills and theory.

Perspective de viitor

There will continue to be high demand for Translators of frequently translated languages, such as French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Korean, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Mayan languages.

Job prospects should be best for those who have at least a Bachelor’s degree and professional certification.

Translators generally do not need any formal training, as they are expected to perform at par before they are hired. Translation agencies and companies may offer their staff the opportunity to specialize and become a legal, technical, or literary translator. You can train in more foreign languages and obtain an advanced degree in translation.

Continuing professional development is the holistic commitment of Translators towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. There are a whole host of CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help professionals in the field.

Whatever path of entry new Translators pursue, they should develop mentoring relationships with experienced professionals in the field to build their skills and confidence and to establish and expand a network of contacts. Mentoring may be formal, such as that received through a professional association, or informal, such as that engaged in with a coworker or an acquaintance who has significant professional experience.

Odds & Ends

You may specialize as a health/medical Translator, legal/judicial Translator, or literary Translator. The translation is usually done with computer-assisted tools (CAT) to work more efficiently and consistently. Translators also post-edit materials translated by computers or machines. Content to be translated may include commercial, educational, legal, literary, scientific, and technical documents. Daily work output could average between 2,000 and 3,000 words. Translations often go through several revisions before becoming final.

Freelance Vs. Full-Time Work

A freelance Translator enjoys freedom concerning flexible schedules, working hours, and location. They have full ownership of the business and can afford selectivity in terms of the variety of projects and clients presented.

While it has unlimited earning potential, freelancing also has less stability and security, with inconsistent work and cash flow. There is more responsibility, effort, and risk involved. There are no paid holidays, and sick/maternity/paternity leaves are almost unaffordable. There is the added pressure of a self-employment tax and no eligibility for unemployment benefits.

A full-time Translator, however, has access to company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses.

Despite the above benefits, they are susceptible to potential boredom and inability to pursue passion projects due to their lack of time or effort. There is a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety, compounded by the need to set aside funds for commuting and attire costs.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Translators, who often live in the shadow of the famous speakers and authors whose work they translate, are our most important allies. They introduce us to the world! Without translators, we would be confined to the silent borders of our own country.

Sfat?

Regularly visit relevant countries to refresh command of the language and knowledge of the culture.