Career As A Translator: How To Become A Translator

International Translation Day is observed every year on September 30. The day is celebrated across the world to pay tribute to the work of language professionals. They are playing a vital role in bringing the nations together and strengthening the world with peace and security. Last year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace and declared September 30 as International Translation Day (ITD).

The International Federation of Translators (FIT), which is an international group of association of translators, interpreters and terminologists, promotes the translation profession across the world. The FIT Council has selected the theme for International Translation Day (ITD) 2018 as ''Translation: promoting cultural heritage in changing times.''

When globalisation is catching up fast, the path for professionals who choose a career in foreign languages is lucrative. On this International Translation Day, let's tour career as a translator.

Who Are Translators?

To simply put it, they are the ones who generally translate from one language to another. An individual who takes up translation as a career involves working with different languages and translating back to their mother tongue. The translators usually work on the print documents.

Difference Between Translators And Interpreters

Interpreters and translators are very closely associated with the linguistic disciplines. The major difference between an interpreter and a translator is a translator works on translating the written text. However, an interpreter will be working on it orally. Apart from this, there is not much difference and love towards language will remain the same for both the interpreter and the translator.

How To Become A Translator

Candidates who choose to pursue a career in translation require a diploma or certification course. One should have a command over two languages to take up this translation career. Aspirants should clearly be familiar with the source and targeting language. The source language will be from where you are translating and the target language is the one where you are proceeding. The eligibility criteria to take up this career depends upon the course you choose. For diploma and degree courses, candidates should have passed class 12.

Skills Required For Translators

Candidates who aim to choose this translation career should hone some soft skills which help in advancing professionally. Some of them are:

Listening skills
Verbal communication
Reading comprehension
Writing skills
Cultural knowledge
Computer skills

Career Opportunities For Translators

A plethora of job opportunities is available for translators across the world. One will find jobs in universities, market survey firms, medical transcriptions, multinational companies which have chambers of commerce and others. Candidates who enlist themselves in the Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC) benefit a lot in career advancement.

There are openings in the government sector for translators such as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in various languages. One will also find opportunities in industries and publishing houses.