Every Polyglot’s Dream Job: 6 Useful Tips on How to Become a Translator

Do you often catch yourself translating some phrases from your native to target language or vice versa?

You can’t sleep at night because you can’t think of a proper translation, can you?

If your answer is yes, then you are most likely a person who is born to live in a world of translators.

And maybe you should consider becoming a translator too.

But how to become a translator?

Do you need something more than ‘just’ understanding and speaking other languages?

Even though speaking foreign languages fluently is more than a half job done, you need the right skills and translator qualifications.

This guide will help you find out how to become a translator, so let’s dive in.

Translators Vs. Interpreters

The benefits of being bilingual are numerous, including the possibilities to use that knowledge and work as a translator or an interpreter.

Even though some would say that there is no difference, translating and interpreting are two different professions.

For both translators and interpreters, it is essential knowing at least one more additional language fluently, there is a difference between these two.

While interpreters translate spoken words and conversations, translators are known as professionals who translate written documents.

In case you consider becoming an interpreter, take a look at this article.

What Exactly Is a Translator’s Job?

Besides the fact that they have to know native and target language perfectly, translators also have to be masters of orthography and spelling.

They often translate from the source language to the native.

Translators can work in a variety of industries, from law and military documents to some smooth ones, such as education or literature. 

Simply speaking, every industry needs a translator, a professional who can find proper words and phrases from one language to another.

Where Do Translators Work?

Translators usually work as freelancers, but some of them have their translation agencies.

Others also work for translation agencies or only one client.

Therefore, they have different options and possibilities to choose which way they want to work.

Translators usually have flexible working time, which means they can easily manage their own schedules.

6 Useful Tips on How to Become a Translator

In order to become a translator, we are giving you six useful tips on how to become one.

Become Fluent In The Target Language

Being a translator means that you have to speak the source language fluently.

That means a lot of studying.

But first, you need to decide which language you want to master.

Translation jobs are available for every living language. Keep in mind, however, that for the most common languages, more translation jobs are available.

So, before you decide which language you want to give an opportunity, research a little.

Common languages, such as English, Spanish or German are more available than Dutch or Swedish, but more people know these languages, so the competition is bigger.

When you’ve chosen the language, you have to get a college degree, study abroad, or to get a translation certification degree for the source language.

One of the starting points on your path is learning and mastering the language with Justlearn tutors. 

Don’t forget to use every method that can help you improve your language skills, including ‘stealing’ ways that polyglots use to learn languages.

Specialize in Translating

If you think that knowing foreign languages is enough to start working as a translator, you are wrong.

To become a professional translator, you have to provide an accurate and efficient translation. It means that you have to be specialized in translating. Here are some of the options you might consider:

• American Translators Association (ATA) is a professional association for translation and interpretation professions. On their site, you can find some of the schools they recommend for preparing you for this job.

• Institute of Translation And Interpretation from the UK can also help you with your career in the translation world.

• ALTA Language Services gives you the possibility to check out some of the best US translation schools.

How to Become a Certified Translator?

With a certification in translation, you can show that you have the right skills and knowledge to work as a translator. 

American Translators Association (ATA) offers a certification program, which demonstrates that translators meet certain criteria.

If you want to get the certification in a specific field, for example, for legal and court translations, the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters And Translators offers the possibility.

Specialize in a Field You Are Interested In

Being fluent in foreign languages doesn’t necessarily mean that you are specialized in specific terminology.

To become a real professional, you have to put additional effort and work on specific terminology.

For example, if you want to specialize in medical terminology in Spanish, there are some resources you should consider. One of them is Spanish for Medical Professionals.

In case you decide on the legal and court translations, which is quite specific, you can turn to, for example, EU Law. There, you can find many useful terms and phrases.

ALTA Language Services also offer help to translators, so you can ask for a customized course to learn more specialized terminology.

Learn to Use Translating Programs

Besides the fact that you have to use computers while translating, you should also have to learn to use some of the translating programs.

Some of them you might want to use are:

• SDL Trados Studio

• WordFast

• MemoQ

Each one of these programs gives you an explanation and instructions on how to use them, as well as a free trial period where you can try out and see how the program works.

The Importance of Working Experience

To get more translator jobs, you need a working experience.

But how to get experience when you are in the beginning?

Every beginning is challenging a bit. And you should have in mind that your translator salary may not be as high as you’ve expected at first. However, don’t forget that you are ‘collecting’ experience.

Over time, you will get noticed, and your reputation as a translator will become impressive.

Thanks to the Fiverr or Upwork platforms, you can start with the translator jobs online. These platforms help freelancers and clients connect.

Getting a working experience is one of the essentials. The proof that you are a professional in foreign languages can lead you to get more clients and more jobs. So, if you are a real professional in one of the languages, you can also apply and teach one on the Justlearn tutoring platform. That experience would look nice on your resume.

Final Thoughts

The path from learning a foreign language to becoming a professional translator isn’t easy.

It takes a lot of time and dedication.

But if you think that you are the right person for this kind of job and you consider this as your calling, then go ahead.

Follow these steps and make your dreams come true.