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Translation tips

How to Become a Translator: Practical Guide

Mark Blackwood 22 Sep 2020
How to Become a Translator: Practical Guide

The availability of automatic translation tools should not prevent people who want to know how to become a translator from pursuing this career. Even the most sophisticated algorithms could not produce such an accurate and clear outcome that a proficient translator will deliver utilizing years of practice, experience in the field, and constant professional development.

Table of Content:

  1. Who Is A Translator?

  2. What Does a Translating Job Look Like?

  3. Required Skills, Expertise and Qualifications

  4. Types of Translators

  5. Who Do You Need - Translator or Interpreter?

  6. How to Obtain This Profession?

  7. Specializations & Industries

  8. Most Important Languages

  9. Translator Certification and What It Means for Translation

  10. Difference Between Certified and Notarized Translation

  11. Organizations that Issue Certifications

  12. How to Find A Job as A Translator?

  13. Where to Find Other Translation Opportunities

  14. Translation Services vs Freelance Jobs

  15. Translation Rates

  16. Useful Resources for Any Language Experts

  17. Final Thought

Who Is A Translator?

Translators are people who possess proficient knowledge of two or more languages, which allows them to transfer the texts’ exact meaning from one cultural background to another. That is why they are more than mere language experts as they need to know not just linguistic peculiarities of the chosen language pair or pairs but history and cultural features of relevant countries as well. Translators can be treated as experts who create communication channels between nations and allow absolutely different people to understand each other. These experts usually choose one or several specializations and work on achieving mastery level within those certain fields instead of trying to cover all fields and deliver mediocre translations as the result.

What Does a Translating Job Look Like?

Modern world provides diverse opportunities for employment modes. Though it does not matter whether you work as a self-employed language expert, focus on freelance, or acquired a full-time position in the professional translation company. Main tasks and responsibilities will be similar.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Translating content from primary language to required target language without altering meaning and main message or adding new content.

  • Conducting additional research in case of need to understand the context better.

  • Keeping in mind target audience and its cultural peculiarities.

  • Maintaining cooperation with the text’s author in order to ensure the accuracy of both used terminology and overall message.

  • Following technical requirements and required file’s format is the part of translator job.

  • Proofreading and polishing the final variant of the translated text.

  • Developing glossaries to make process easier and more unified.

  • Delivering projects within the agreed timeframe.

Daily Tasks

  • Working on the translation process itself.

  • Conducting research that ensures the most accurate interpretation of terms and notions.

  • Updating glossary.

  • Communicating with the client or text’s author. 

  • Constant time management in order to meet projects’ deadlines.

  • Optimizing working process using specialized software.

Required Skills, Expertise and Qualifications

Prospective employees should think about more things than just the answer to the question “what degree do you need to be a translator?” This profession requires additional skills and, oddly enough, possessing a degree might not be obligatory in certain cases. All these skills are a must, though:

  • Proficiency in chosen languages.

  • Grasp of some specific field’s terminology.

  • Good computer skills to use both word-processing software or computer-assisted translation tools.

  • Cultural awareness, knowing the background of primary as well as target audiences.

  • Attention to detail, especially during the final review stage.

  • Being responsible and reliable.

  • Following ethical, confidentiality rules while dealing with sensitive or confidential information. 

Even though translator’s job is related to mainly written text, some universal skills such as possessing good communication skills and being customer-oriented also apply whether a translation expert is self-employed or hired for a certain localization service.

As for the required degree, possessing at least a bachelor’s one in Translation, Interpreting or Philology is a good start. Job experience is always required, so prospective translators should consider obtaining freelance experience or internships in relevant agencies. Translators with specialization in specific fields, especially technical ones, should demonstrate official documents acknowledging their expertise and constant development since these spheres are more demanding in terms of accuracy.

old books

Types of Translators

Development of technologies opened new opportunities in various fields not only for people from different countries but also for language experts who want to help those people to connect and understand each other. These new trends resulted in an even more diversified nature of translator’s job.

Language translator. Texts remain to be an integral part of modern society so that people who translate those from one language to another have a lot of work to do and a number of options – from fiction texts to complex business reports. This is the main option that working as a translator is associated with. Any field of knowledge requires translation experts’ help for more effective information delivery. 

Sign language translator. People with hearing loss have more opportunities to enjoy normal life nowadays. One of the things that make their lives easier is communication with signs. There are approximately 135 sign languages so that relevant experts are always required.

Localization specialist. While there are different approaches to translating texts, IT, software fields have their own rules that make translating textual elements of applications, games, software packages, or website unique. Special attention to local cultural and linguistic peculiarities is needed to ensure product’s success in a new market.

Transcription expert. Outstanding language skills are required to operate with audio and video materials such as interviews or podcasts since the task may require transcribing multilingual conversation or creating subtitles in a different language. Working from home for transcription services online is a perfect example of solution for translator to earn additional money.

types-of-translators

Who Do You Need - Translator or Interpreter?

Some languages do not have separate terms that denote different angles of translating jobs, which is not the case with the English language. Interpreters and translators are professions that require different sets of skills and knowledge although both require proficiency in minimum of two languages. Determining who is who and whom to hire from interpreter vs translator pair is simple:

Interpreter translates oral communications instantly, in real time.

Translator deals with translating written texts within a set timeframe.

While clients just have to understand what specific expert needs to be hired in different situations like an international conference or scientific article’s translation, prospective language experts need to think carefully and decide which path to choose from the beginning. 

Interpreters need to train their listening along with memorizing skills since they’ll need to reproduce translated messages in the target language with absolute precision without omitting any details. These specialists must possess an outstanding level of expertise in both languages since they have no time or materials to search for solutions. Translation must be provided instantly. 

Translators must demonstrate knowledge of target and source languages on the same level though since they deal with written texts only, technical skills are the must deliver high-quality outcome. Specialization in a certain niche is the advantage for a translator since it presupposes profound knowledge and specific experience that clients are looking for. 

How to Obtain This Profession?

Prospective students and people who decided to choose another career often ask how many years does it take to become a translator. There is no definite answer to this question as it depends on initial level of knowledge along with personal peculiarities. Although any expert in translation field followed these steps, it usually takes months or even years to achieve an outstanding result.

  1. Master your chosen languages. Translators must know a minimum of two languages. They must be absolutely confident in their knowledge on all levels. Good translations are always error-free, carefully proofread. 

  2. Decide on specialization. Possessing experience in a medical, IT, or legal field opens more opportunities for development in translation sphere since clients often seek experts who operated in their specific niche before, know specific terminology, other features. 

  3. Complete translation training. Every profession has specific rules, tricks, and peculiarities. Knowing several languages is not enough for professional translation so that specialized training should be considered. There are multiple options, from a Master’s degree in Translation or Interpreting to online courses in specialized schools that’ll allow you to earn money as a translator soon enough. 

  4. Obtaining certification is a good idea. ATA’s certifications in various fields plus associated credentials are the best indicators of translator’s expertise and skills. Obtaining a specific certification in your field will be beneficial in a long-term perspective, though keep in mind that it is an expensive, long, difficult process.

  5. Improve knowledge of terminology. Being a regular Spanish translator is a good choice, but knowing Spanish legal terminology means better opportunities to get well-paid jobs and have a loyal clientele in this particular niche. The same applies to other narrowed fields of knowledge.

  6. Improve computer skills. Translator’s work requires more than just knowing features of MS Word and fast typing abilities. Those are just the starting point. Professional development is impossible without specialized software solutions such as SDL Trados Studio or memoQ that make translators’ lives much easier. They are expensive though, so you should consider buying chosen software only after gaining some experience, deciding to pursue a translator’s career further.

  7. Get experience. It doesn't really matter what way you’ll choose since either completion of projects on freelance platforms such as Upwork or joining any translation agency will give the first experience that is required to get more jobs. Both self-employed as well as in-house translators need to continue working and developing to enrich their opportunities.

  8. Continue learning. It is probably among the most important steps towards expertise in the field and being the exemplary personality that illustrates answer to “what is a translator?” Developing or learning is the continuous process as new techniques, tools, language peculiarities appear and a good translator is always aware of changes, so implements them in daily routine. 

how-to-become-a-translator

Specializations & Translation Industries

One may choose to work with general translations only which means the texts should not be very complicated. It is a good way to start earning completing translation jobs online though people who want professional development in this field and higher income should consider developing in a specific niche. Not only wages are higher in this case but also new clients and opportunities for long-term cooperation will appear, which is especially valuable for freelance translators.

Acquiring specialization means obtaining deeper knowledge in the chosen field via studying historical background, current trends, specific terms, vocabulary, completing relevant courses, or even pursuing a degree. Person might choose some of these industries to become a translator with specialization:

  • Medicine

  • Finances

  • Legal sphere

  • Technologies 

  • Academic research

  • Business-related context

  • Marketing

  • Software development

This list can be extended and narrowed further to decrease competition as well as increase profits. If a translator possesses profound knowledge in aerospace engineering, their services will be highly appreciated by experts in this field, since not so many people cope with such a task, and appropriately compensated as a result.

Useful information: use our certified polish translation service for any kind of documents

Most Important Languages 

The answer to question “do translators get paid well?” should be based not only on translator’s specialization in a certain field but also on language pairs or pairs they have mastered. While it is always good to know as many languages as possible, prospective translators must decide what language they want to learn first. 

A sensible way is to focus on one of the most widespread languages. This will open more employment opportunities, the process of finding a job will be faster and easier. However, it’ll be easier for other beginners in translation field as competition rates may be demotivating. Fortunately, the growing influence of these global or widespread languages allows finding a job for everybody interested in translation and international cooperation. Just take a look at the approximate total number of speakers including second language learners, and imagine how many potential translations can be required:

  • English: 1.3 billion

  • Chinese: 1.12 billion

  • Arabic: 274 million

  • Spanish: 538 million

  • Russian: 258 million

  • Portuguese: 252 million

  • Hindi: 637 million

  • French: 276 million

Another way is to choose a rare or at least not so widespread language to work with the specific target audience. Japanese or Korean could be a great example since these languages do not have a very wide community of second language learners around the world due to their complexity. At the same time, both Japan and South Korea play an important role on global market and people who establish communication channels between these countries and the rest of the world are in great demand. Many beginning translators have a similar idea: If I was a person with mastered English-Japanese language pair and thought where can I work as a translator, I would even consider relocating to Japan in search of new opportunities and impressions. Choosing a very rare or almost extinct language won’t result in a huge amount of well-paid orders though, so proper research in terms of available job offers is a must.

important-languages

Translator Certification and What It Means for Translation 

Certification presupposes translator’s efforts to acknowledge their skills and qualification by completing courses and tests provided by reputable organizations such as the American Translators Association. Successfully completed proficiency tests mean that a certified translator officially proved their dedication, level of knowledge, and ability to cope with complex tasks. 

Obtaining certification requires considerable investments of time, efforts, and resources. Having a certification is not obligatory for being a reputable and prolific professional translator but it might still be necessary if you plan to develop in a specific field. Person cannot utilize knowledge in the narrowed sphere without prior acknowledging of their translation and language skills. Many well-paid jobs also require official documents that prove qualification, that is why translator certification should be considered as obligatory at some point. 

Difference Between Notarized and Certified Translation

Not all texts could be simply translated online. There are situations and documents, especially in legal sphere, that require additional conditions, and both clients and translation experts must be aware of differences between them. 

Certified. How to become a certified translator? These high-quality translations are completed by professionals who have proven their qualifications by completing official tests and have the right to include a signed declaration with their name, contact information, date of translation, and signature along with the completed translation’s text. This declaration confirms quality and accuracy of translation on the official level. It is needed to work with such legal documents as birth, marriage, and death certificates, immigration papers, contracts, or court transcripts.

Notarized. When legal formalities need to be followed, a certified expert must cooperate with a notary - a person who has the authority to confirm the fact that all legal official procedures were followed and translation is valid. So that notary checks whether a translator can be trusted rather than the quality of translation itself. Quality and accuracy are already confirmed by a signed declaration Thus, both translator and notary sign a certificate statement declaring quality and full adherence to norms in the completed text. This process is obligatory for diplomas and educational certificates, as well as for many important administrative documents such as identity cards. 

Organizations that Issue Certifications

Those who do want to know how to become a professional translator with a lot of well-paid projects in work eventually should consider obtaining certifications from any of these organizations, depending on residence factor or narrowed field:

ATA offers certification in a variety of languages in combination with English. Currently available languages are – Spanish, Italian, Dutch, French, German, Finnish, Swedish, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Croatian, Hungarian, and Arabic. There is only one certification exam, not specific for different domains. Exam is known to be very challenging – fewer than 20% of applicants pass it. Also, you cannot take the test again within 1 year for the same language pair.

This prominent UK-based institution offers qualifications for translators and interpreters. You choose between several possible qualifications based on your experience and field of expertise. 

Available are qualifications in over 50 languages, such as Russian translator, French, Mandarin, Arabic, Romanian, Bengali, Farsi, Vietnamese, Somali, etc. At CIOL one can get Diploma in Translation (DipTrans), Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI), Diploma in Police Interpreting (DPI), Certificate in Bilingual Skills – Police, Certificate in Languages for Business (CLB). For example, DipTrans is recognized both nationally and internationally and is only available for postgraduates, while DPSI is perfect for those who wish to work in legal filed, healthcare, or at local government bodies, and there are no specific requirements for applicants.

Useful information: Fast and accurate Vietnamese translation services from professional linguists.

This body administers certification examinations in Canada. There are 3 types of certification for Canadian translators and interpreters: dossier, mentorship, exam. Certification on dossier is offered for candidates who either have a diploma and 2 years of experience in the field of translation, or 5 years of experience, in which the diploma is not required. Certification by mentorship is available only in New Brunswick and Québec and is possible after 6 months of working with a mentor. Certification examination take a form of general translation, conference interpretation, terminology, and court interpretation exams. Requirements for applicants are membership in one of the professional associations for translators as well as substantial experience.

NAATI is the only officially recognized accreditation body for interpreters and translators in Australia. They offer a wide variety of tests that differ based on applicant’s level of proficiency and area of expertise. 

Certification testing that NAATI offers is as follows: recognized practicing; translator; provisional interpreter; provisional Auslan interpreter; provisional deaf interpreter; interpreter; certified Auslan interpreter; specialist health interpreter; specialist legal interpreter; conference interpreter.

Based in Beirut, Lebanon, this association offers certification for Arab translators.  There are more specific requirements, other than proficiency in certain language, for applicants that wish to become certified. Applicants must have a university degree (bachelor or same level) in order to apply for the certification. There are 2 types of membership offered - accredited and associate membership. Accredited membership is available for bachelors, who passed the certification successfully and also provide proof of their language knowledge and experience. Associate members, apart from that, must also have at least 4 years of experience in translation and/or interpretation.

There is only 1 type of certification exam available, but the examiner prepares a set of test questions in consideration with applicant’s individual expertise and knowledge. How to become a translator is easier nowadays.

This organization offers support to various national sign language associations as well as provides plenty of information for such interpreters worldwide.

According to data, provided by this association, certification for interpreters in this field is currently available only in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, the US and Canada. In Australia it is held by NAATI, which was mentioned above. Specialists in Auslan get accredited as on paraprofessional level or interpreter (professional) level, depending on their expertise, by taking a training course and receiving a diploma upon its completion. 

It is important to mention that there are many other country-specific certification agencies, which offer their services for residents – feel free to check online which agency offers such services in your country.

How to Find A Job as A Translator?

This question may easily transform into the one asking “how to become an interpreter?” since many starting options provide multiple opportunities and it is a prospective language expert who must decide what direction needs to be chosen.

Once you figure out how to become an interpreter or a translator and after you pick up some useful tips and tricks along that way, your next question will logically be – how to find a job?

If you are striving to work as a language specialist, there are a few stepping stones along your career path that you should not overlook. 

Finding high-payed satisfying work may be challenging at times, but the general process is usually pretty straight forward. However, when it comes to work there may be some bumps along the way.

Here are 5 steps you need to take in order to secure your dream job as a translator:

1. Figure out your target job and what you can offer

It’s a basic yet crucial step that many applicants overlook. Before starting your search for a job, make sure that you understand what kind of work you wish to do and if you are qualified for such job. 

2. Cover the basics

As a translator or interpreter, make sure that your knowledge in the desired field is airtight and that you meet all the necessary requirements for the work you are interested in – may that be getting a degree, taking specific courses, or getting certified – these steps may vary depending on your location.

3. Prepare your resume

Effect of a good resume on the employer can not be undermined. Make sure to note your education, previous work experience, and a bit of personal information regarding your hobbies. Check your CV for errors and typos before sending it. Keep your resume focused, relevant, and professional. It is also advisable to include your photo.

4. Find a starter job

You can use multiple platforms at once to find a beginner job. There are many opportunities for language specialists:

  • Apply to translation agencies – research agencies in your area if you are interested in working in the office, or apply to various agencies online regardless of their location if you are comfortable doing it from home. Most agencies will require you to complete a text assignment and/or undergo an interview, but if you pass it successfully they will help you secure projects.

  • When looking for opportunities of how to become a translator, think of specific companies that you may like to cooperate with and reach out to them, always include your resume.

  • Consult your family and friends – they may offer right job for you as they know your strengths and qualifications better than anyone.

5. Accumulate experience and move further

One should understand that before you zero in on a dream job, you most likely will have to get some hands-on experience in real life, in order for your knowledge to be anything more than just “book smarts”. You may start with a beginner job that will allow you to get practical experience and put your knowledge to a test. In order to get more experience you may also consider volunteering, internship, helping on campus, etc. 

Keep in mind that you are likely to change several jobs before you find one that will tick every box you have in mind – and it’s ok. This is exactly what happens to most people who are testing their luck in the sea of job opportunities, which sometimes feels more like a kiddy pool. But as long as you keep on searching, the right opportunity will not pass you by.

Where to Find Other Translation Opportunities

  • Volunteering

Volunteering translations are the great choice to test one’s skills and ability to be an interpreter or to cope with translation tasks. Although services are supposed to be provided for free, a volunteer obtains rewards in form of valuable experience of working in the field, a network of new contacts, and sense of satisfaction after helping other people. These opportunities can be provided by reputable organizations such as United Nations Volunteers, Translators Without Borders, VolunteerMatch, or TED. One may even try contacting a big reputable translation company and check for volunteering or internship options. Volunteering in charity sector can also be a great start to a new career.

  • In-house

When financial situation requires stable income, a translator may consider an in-house job. As with any other full-time employment, there are multiple opportunities and a prospective employee should try as many as possible to find the one that suits them. Preparing a CV and communicating with HR managers will be an obligatory part of looking for an in-house job. The best ways to find offers are checking local job-search reputable resources and updating a LinkedIn profile.

  • Work from home

Many people choose this job because of flexibility it offers. One can easily find some agencies or translation proofreading services and work from home or any other location they want. The process of finding these job opportunities is essentially the same, the only difference is that the applicant does not need to limit themselves to a certain geographical location and look for companies that operate internationally instead. Freelance platforms similar to Upwork or other online translation agencies have convenient application forms that prospective employees should fill in to register, pass internal tests, and start.

Translation Services vs Freelance Work

Modern world faces the fast pace of changes and COVID-19 pandemic proves the idea that priorities may change rapidly. Certain options that previously were treated as not so common became widespread nowadays. Jobs with wfh mode and entirely freelance positions continue to increase their total share of the workforce so the main question is can you work from home as a translator since in-house vacancies for this profession may decrease in number given everything that happened in 2020. 

It is at every translator’s discretion to decide which option is better since there is no ultimate answer to this question. There are specific downsides and benefits in every possible variant of employment so that the question is whether they suit one’s needs and specific conditions. 

Advantages of Freelance 

  • Flexible schedule that one can modify according to new needs.

  • Possibility to choose what projects to take in work and become whether a freelance game translator or any other specialist.

  • Absence of defined and assigned workplace and being dependent on a certain office.

  • Freedom to travel anywhere, just be sure to have unlimited Internet.

  • Possibility to manage income by increasing or decreasing personal workload.

  • Possibility to spend more time with close people.

Disadvantages of Freelance 

  • More distracting factors at home that affect concentration and productivity.

  • Lack of superior’s control affects discipline. One needs to dedicate more effort to self-motivation to avoid being irresponsible.

  • Lack of free time since freelancers need to put more effort into finding clients.

  • Endangered work-life balance.

  • Income directly depends on completed work since there are no opportunities for bonuses or similar benefits offered by employers.

  • Risk of feeling isolated from social life.

Advantages of In-House Work

  • Stable workload and translator salary guaranteed by a company.

  • Possibility to fully focus on given task instead of spending time searching for clients.

  • Development opportunities thanks to feedback from superiors, company-funded courses, and communication with colleagues.

  • Extra benefits such as paid vacations and health insurance programs.

  • No need to spend money on proper equipment as everything is provided by the company.

Disadvantages of In-House Work

  • Fixed schedule and limited flexibility.

  • Limited relocation opportunities.

  • Lack of direct influence on increasing income. 

  • Risk of professional stagnation since one does not need to do everything possible to find and attract new clients.

Translation Rates

Deciding on desired mode of employment is usually not a priority among beginners since one of the first questions they search the answer for is “do translators make good money?” Oftentimes, searching what industry pays more for translations may determine future specialization and focus on career development.

How Much Do Translators Make the Most?

Knowing the hourly wage of medical, business, and legal translators and interpreters, which is usually between $20 and $25, and median annual wage for the majority of people in this profession, which is equal to approximately $51K, it is safe to assume that software localization industry pays the highest salaries that can be equal to $56K - $77K annually depending on qualification, tasks, and company.

What Language Pair is More Popular?

With increased opportunities for freelancers nowadays, it is not as important as it was before to know which country pays more. The language pair is more important. Though people who prefer in-house type of work may be pleased to know that Germany, The United Arab Emirates, France, and the United States are among the countries where translators are well-paid. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps translation rates in USA up to date and in open access so that everybody could check the data and make their own conclusions. 

In case of freelance, professional linguists should base their translation rates per word on both average numbers in the industry and what they can offer. The higher qualification, the higher rate is. It is the opportunity to step over a mean $25 hourly wage and charge more.

translation-rates

Useful Resources for Any Language Translators

People who are engaged with translators jobs from home should also dedicate some time from professional development instead of focusing solely on completing projects and searching for new clients. Fortunately, all that is needed is some free time and access to the Internet.

Here are some resources that you may want to address while working:

  1. Free online dictionaries 

It is doubtful that there are people who complete a translation without having to reach for a dictionary at least once. Nowadays people don’t have to shuffle through hundreds of pages in search of a correct word – we have them all at our fingertips. Here are some free online dictionaries that are worth checking out: 

  1. Websites

There are many online platforms that’ll offer you information, access to various tools, ability to partake in discussions, get opinions from your fellow translators, and much more. Here are the websites we recommend: 

  • If you are interested in becoming a freelancer, use different websites in order to find your first gig – Upwork, LinkedIn, Fiverr, Freelancer, Proz.com. A downside to this is high competition and looking for projects on your own.

  • IATE (Interactive Terminology for Europe) database – project that’ll help users with EU-specific terminology. It is highly useful because it offers translation to and from all European languages.

  • Translation Directory – this website offers countless free up-to-date resources – glossaries, articles, newsletters, dictionaries, career opportunities, allows file sharing and communication with other specialists in your field, etc.

  • Research job offers in your desired field, which are available on the market, and send out your resume. Also, post your resume on job boards and recruiting websites and agencies such as Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkUp, etc. for employers to find.

  1. Books

Good old-fashioned books are now more accessible than ever – get them on Amazon, eBay, BookDepository, Audible, etc. Here are some book picks that will be both helpful and entertaining:

  • How to Succeed as Freelance Translator by Corinne McKay (on Amazon) – written by a successful language expert, this book can be your guide to a prominent freelance translation career.

  • The Prosperous Translator by Chris Durban (on Amazon) – offers great advice on how to build a career in translation that is both intellectually and financially fulfilling.

  • Why Translation Matters by Edith Grossman (on Amazon) – a wonderful book to read for both beginners and advanced professionals, it provides a new incite on interpretation and its cultural and practical importance.

  1. Social media groups

One wouldn’t think to use such recourse a couple of years ago, but in current times social media beats almost every other source of information out there – news travel fast on social media, and tools and “life hacks” are abundant. Here are some Facebook groups that’ll undoubtedly be useful:

  • Translators and Interpreters (ProZ.com) – originating from a crowdsourcing website, mentioned above, this group offers news, tools, job offers, and other useful bits of information from translators all over the globe.

  • Freelance translators – a platform to share experience and find opportunities or remote translation jobs.

  • Things Translators Never Say – a zone where you may share your personal experience about work as a translator and enjoy entertaining stories of others.

  • Translators' Club – a cozy group where translators across the world can exchange information, helpful links, share their experience and opinions.

  1. Podcasts

Awesome novelty way to learn and discover new things, podcasts are both fun and addictive. 

  • Marketing tips for translators by Tess Whitty – in this podcast author offers great insight into marketing for translators, shares useful marketing tips, strategies, and methods on how to conduct self-marketing as a translator.

  • Troublesome Terps – hosted by Jonathan Downie, Alexander Drechsel, Alexander Gansmeier, and Sarah Hickey, this podcast is super entertaining but also full of useful information. Podcasts often feature special guests that offer personal insight on different relevant topics.

  • The World in Words – hosted by Patrick Cox, this podcast is highly entertaining and humorous, but at the same time quite insightful. It covers many relevant topics and issues in a fun easily digestible way.

  1. Tools

Interpretation process is not possible nowadays without using translation tools that are designed for quick and easier job:

  • Grammarly - is a unique tool that corrects grammar, lexical mistakes and punctuation. It could be used as a software, app, browser extension. It’s very convenient for those who types really fast and does not have much time to check for typos.

  • Hemingway app - is another tool that corrects your writing, checks readability, style and grammar.

  • Google Drive - offers a bunch of features that make working process more efficient. Try using Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Slides - they store all information and changes in files, so don’t be afraid to lose important data.

  • Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) Tools - 

  • Todoist - allows creating different lists of current, completed tasks and projects to be invoiced. Adding comments, setting reminders or moving between lists is very easy.

  • Trello - very useful task management tool that will help manage all your projects, set deadlines, add notes, share your board with other users.

  • Evernote - great for storing important information, make notes, write down contacts, which can be in different formats - text, drawings, photographs, or saved web content.

  • Google Calendar - nothing is more convenient for planning than this tool. Add events, invite participants, schedule online or offline meetings.

These are just a few notable resources that you can address in your work as a translator or interpreter, which will be helpful, amusing, and even inspirational. There is no shortage of information out there nowadays, same as there is no limit to what you can learn and discover for yourself.

Final Thought

There is no easy answer to request how to be a translator. This profession is demanding and has many peculiar features. Every linguistic professional will experience their path towards perfection, however, there is one thing that will unite all experts in this field: in-house and freelance workers, interpreters and translators, beginners, and experienced translators with certification. All these people continue to develop and learn something new every day and they become better specialists with every completed task. It is definitely worth joining this adventure! 

 

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How to Become a Translator: Practical Guide
Translation tips

10 Little Translation Mistakes That Caused Big Problems

Speaking a foreign language can be learned, but it’s also something that comes with many challenges. Despite being able to have a conversation in it, grammar rules can be forgotten sometimes, leading to translation errors.

Michael Carr 30 May 2019