Becoming a written text translator requires practice, skill, and patience with yourself. This is a rapidly developing field that offers many opportunities to learn new things and work with different types of people. You are the link between communication and how people can learn, grow, and talk to one another.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Getting Started on the Right Path
Step 1. Be fluent in another language
“Fluent” is still a bit of an understatement. You'll need to know another language inside and out, from formal dialogue to casual conversation, to specialized terms on various topics.
It's not a bad idea to learn your own language either. Most people only have an intrinsic understanding of their mother tongue, they can't verbally explain to you how it works. Gain extrinsic knowledge of your language to better understand how it works and how foreigners approach it
Step 2. If you are in college, choose a major that will give you an area of expertise
While you can specifically go to a translation school and get a degree in translation, many people take a completely different route. Aspiring to translate at the bank? Get a degree in finance. Have dreams of working in a hospital? Get a biology degree. You have to understand what you are translating to do it well, the right knowledge base can do just that.
Also practice your writing skills. Many people think that being a translator just means knowing two languages. In reality, to be a successful translator, you also have to be a good writer. In addition to studying the language and topics of your choice, learn writing skills. Just because you can speak the language doesn't mean you can write it well
Step 3. Take a translation and interpretation class
Translating is truly a skill. Good translators make minor modifications to the text they are working with to make it as good as possible, taking into account the reader, culture, and context. If you are currently a student or just living around college, take a translation and interpretation class. Having this educational background will help you sell your skills to future employers.
While at school, look for opportunities to work on translation or interpretation on campus for whoever you can. It's important to get started so you can get experience and recommendations when you need them later
Step 4. If you can, go to your second language country
The best way to get an appreciation for a language, a true understanding of that language, and to see its nuances and features is to go to a country where the language is officially spoken. You'll see how people speak, learn regional terms, and get a real feel for how the language naturally works.
The longer you stay in the country, the better and better your second language will be. Just make sure that you spend time with local people and not other expats
Part 2 of 4: Qualify
Step 1. Take the opportunity to volunteer
When you're just starting out, you're likely to work for free to build resumes and make connections. Start working in community organizations, hospitals, and sporting events, such as marathons, that have international participants and see if you can help on the translation side. This is an important part of starting a career in this field.
Chances are you know someone who works in an industry who deals with many types of people with many different language backgrounds. Ask everyone you know if they could take advantage of the free help. Why would they reject you?
Step 2. Get endorsement
While certification is not 100% required, it will make it easier for you to get a job. Employers look at your background and see these certifications and believe you have the skills to do the job. You will also be listed on the website of the organization you travel to, where potential clients can find you. There are several to consider:
- The American Translator's Association offers a general certification program for translators.
- If you want to become a court or medical translator, organizations such as the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators and the International Medical Interpreters Association offer specialized certifications in this area.
- Check if your country or region has an accreditation program for translators and interpreters.
Step 3. Take the exam
Take a language proficiency test to show potential clients that you are fluent in a particular language. Similar to accreditations and certifications, showing potential employers your test results is a quick way for them to assess your skills and see if you're a good fit for the job.
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages also offers many proficiency tests. You can also find many online tests that other countries offer
Part 3 of 4: Finding a Job
Step 1. Register on the job forum
Sites like Proz and Translator Cafe have lists for freelancing jobs you might just need to get started. Some are free and some require a fee. As a side note, generally the one who charges will be slightly more profitable in the end.
There are also sites like Verbalizeit and Gengo where you take a test, they assess your skills, and you are included in the pool of translators that clients are looking for to do work. Once you are fluent enough and have a resume, try these sites to increase your income
Step 2. Internship
Paid or unpaid internships are a very common way in which most interpreters and translators gain their experience (not really different from many other careers). At the end of the internship, you may be appointed as a full-time employee.
The co-interpreter is an opportunity for aspiring inexperienced interpreters to work with more experienced interpreters. Ask potential employers if they have a shadow program if you're interested in conversation, not just writing
Step 3. Market yourself
Most translators are self-employed, not regular employees. You'll be working on one project here, one project there, taking work that comes and goes. Therefore, you need to market yourself everywhere. Who knows where your next job will be, even if it's only for a few hours?
Law firms, police stations, hospitals, government agencies, and language agencies are great places to start. Especially if you are just starting out, charge a decent fee, or if you have a few recommendations to stock up on then this will be easy
Step 4. Dive into a specific topic
Concentrate on one topic (perhaps two) that you understand the terms and materials for. For example, if you already know all the hospital terms you need to know, you will be much better prepared for the challenge. You will also be able to find content errors when they appear, checking for accuracy.
Translators often find it easier to find work in industries with a high demand for language services, such as court or medical interpretation. It would be wise if your topic is one of these areas
Step 5. Consider mailing in person
Translation agencies are always looking for qualified translators. Briefly include your name, contact info and expected salary and then take the translator selection test. Remember, as with anything else, the longer the letter you write, the less likely people are to read it to the end.
Part 4 of 4: Succeeding in This Career
Step 1. Keep your rates competitive
As you gain more and more experience, you can charge more, whether per word, per sheet, per hour, and so on. Keep your rates competitive and similar to those matching your experience.
Make sure you also charge a reasonable fee on a time basis. In 2008, when the economy wasn't doing so well, many translators saw a drop in the price they could charge that people were willing to pay. Make sure your rates are appropriate for your time, industry and experience
Step 2. Get the right software
Computer Aided Translation (CAT) tools are a must for any translator or interpreter, and no, Google Translate is not included. It's a good idea to install OmegaT's free and open CAT tools (along with free Open Office) for any project you plan to work on.
Unfortunately, many agents prefer to work with the TMs produced by Trados, which are quite expensive. If and when you can, consider upgrading your software to make the job a lot easier
Step 3. Translate only “to” your native language
You will find that translating into your native language is much easier than translating into your second language. That's because each job will require some new vocabulary that you may not have in your second language or that you will have to do a little research, which is generally quicker to do in your native language.
You can see here why it is so important to know the ins and outs of your own language as well. Successful translation is easiest when done into your native language on a topic you know like the palm of your own hand
Step 4. Stick to what you know
Let's say a company contacts you and wants you to translate a document about agricultural machinery used in Central America in the late 1800s or work on a document devoted to freezing human oocytes. More than likely it will be one that you keep putting off and which will take a very long time to complete because you have to make sure every word is correct. It's best to stick to your own topic. You'll be better off in that area as well as feeling better about your job.
Always try to expand your area of expertise, but don't expand too far. Do you specialize in medical reports regarding pregnancy, labor and birth? Start studying and working on articles devoted to child care. Gradually expand your scope of knowledge to accompany more related work. Then you can spread from there
Tips
- Speak and read in your language as often as possible.
- Translate wikiHow articles into other languages. This helps everyone, you and wikiHow readers.
- There are many foreign channels for French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian and so on on television. Try and find the channels and interpret the television shows that are taking place. For better practice, write down what you interpret.
- Be aware of the intricacies of culture, style, and nuance in your language. For example if you are studying French, look beyond just French and also consider the French dialect and culture of Québéc, New Brunswick, Belgium, Switzerland, Louisiana, Algeria, etc.
- Remember, translators write, interpreters speak.
