Knowledge base

Choosing one’s professional path is always a tough decision. The ultimate choice is a unique combination of aptitude, predispositions, and hard work put into perfecting one’s skills. Some professions allow for clear distinction of subsequent stages of education and practice; others come with much more complex ways of gaining experience. And what does it take to become a translator?   In this article, we will explore the issues regarding education, gaining experience, and finding employment as a translator. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of freelance work and see how we can find our area of expertise. So where do we start?   Which university degree is necessary to become a translator? Studies of a given language seems to be the most obvious answer. Admittedly, there is some truth to it – for example, English studies allow for obtaining deep knowledge not only about the language itself, its history and structure, but also discover the wide cultural, political, and sociological background. With this component we can rest assured no reference to local phenomena would surprise us. But is a degree in language studies necessary to start working as a translator?   No – which is perfectly reflected in requirements for candidates wanting to become sworn translators. While higher education is a must, it does not have to be linked to foreign languages. In case of translations, any additional degree is an added value: the more information we have, the easier it is to find a niche and specialise in a given type of translation or interpreting services.   It’s also worth saying that studies focused on a given language help in more conscious language use. As a result, a translator with extensive linguistic background is able to deliver a translation that is more reader-friendly.   Specialisation – how to discover your strengths in translation? One word – practice! Preparing a few sample translations may come in handy. Choose texts that cover various disciplines. Which ones would work best? Redacted legal…

One of the most difficult choices young people face is the choice of their career path. Are language skills all it takes to become a translator? Is perfect command of foreign languages enough to tackle major translating challenges? And what are the qualities of a good translator?   Foreign languages aside – get to know your mother tongue! The basic prerequisite is an excellent command of language – and this applies not only to the foreign languages. Contrary to appearances, a translator’s mother tongue needs to be mastered as well, which is not that obvious. That is why it is worth recalling the basics of your mother tongue during your foreign philology studies. In this case, the only way to succeed is through methodical work, which will allow expressing your thoughts freely in foreign languages. Although it might seem that fulfilling these conditions is enough to succeed in translation, there are many more crucial skills for a good translator.   Translation – a job for perfectionists who never stop learning A different set of qualities would foster the development of a translator and of an interpreter. The former must be a perfectionist – translators strive to prepare a perfect piece of work thanks to their ability to focus on their task for a long time, make numerous corrections, and look at the text from many different perspectives. Their impressive diligence shows in the lexical unification of the final piece of work. However, also colloquial texts might occur from time to time, and in this case, additional skills and education are essential – or, at least, readiness to continually expand one’s knowledge. A translator should posess a vast general knowledge, as well as a deep knowledge of the language culture, of both source and target text. This is the only way to guarantee that their translation will be fully understood by readers from the other side of the globe. On the other hand, literary translators should stand out with their creativity…