If you like the idea of using your language skills to help unite people from around the globe, then becoming a translator could be the career for you. Many translators work from home (or some gorgeous destination) and enjoy the mentally-stimulating challenge of converting a text from one language to another. Interested in this path but have no idea where to start? Below is a quick guide on the most essential steps to get you on your way to success.
How To Become a Translator – Translator Job
- Learn your native language well.
People often focus too much on the “other” language. The reality is that you’re going to be translating into your native language 99% of the time, so your writing skills in that language need to be top-notch in order to provide the best translation possible.
- Study the non-fun parts of the non-native language(s).
A common misconception about being a translator is that you need to have grown up bilingual. That is definitely not the case, and what’s more, not everyone who grows up bilingual makes for a good translator (or wants to be one). So you don’t need to have been raised speaking a second language, but you do need to put in the study hours to learn the details that you aren’t going to pick up chatting with foreign friends or watching foreign soaps. That means not just building up your vocab, but familiarizing yourself with the ins and outs of grammar as well.
- A college degree will definitely help.
You can find translation jobs that don’t require a degree, but for government work or a professional translation agency, not having one will likely put you at a disadvantage. The biggest benefit of college or university is of course the education you’ll get in languages and/or translation itself.
- Get some kind of training.
If you didn’t study translating in school, look for online training programs or internships that will show you the ropes. There is a lot more to it than just knowing how to say a word in two languages.
- Figure out your own areas of expertise.
Once you get going, this is a quick way to distinguish yourself from other translators. And your specialty doesn’t have to be legal or medical or something that requires years of study. Love cooking? There are agencies looking for culinary translators. Like playing video games? This is in fact a booming sector and only projected to get bigger.
APlus Translations – Translator Job Opportunity
These tips can help get you started on your path to being a translator, but if you need top-quality translations in the meanwhile, you can count on APlus Translations to serve all your translation and localization needs.
