Skills a Translator Must Have to Stand Out from The Rest

In a globalized world, the need to communicate with international speakers or clients is a requirement that can’t be left behind. Many translators are daily looking for a chance to work in a company. But how do people do so? There are different ways to be in contact with others, such as emails, letters, blogs, etc. However, in order for communication to happen there is one important element: language.

These days, translators are one of the most important assets companies can have. They’re part of a team who collaborates with the growth of the company. Good translation skills develope with practice. For today’s post, you’ll dive into a fantastic world that is rapidly growing. 

What Does It Take to Be A Translator?

A translator is a person who converts written words between two or more languages. That is, a translator solely works with documents, books, blogs or any written text. It’s a similar task to what an interpreter does. 

An important point to highlight is that a translator isn’t the same as an interpreter. Both terms often cause confusion because their roles look similar. The truth of the matter is that a translator works with written texts and an interpreter works with spoken words.

To learn how to translate, you need to have a good command of two languages. There’s no shortcut or easy way to master a skill that’s built through the years, and that you’re always working on.

Cultural Awareness

This term is about understanding the nuances that exist in each culture. Depending on the languages the translator works on, they are exposed to different cultural backgrounds.

Sometimes, translators read about concepts or practices that aren’t common in their culture. By respecting those differences, the translator will be able to function in any environment.

Translators Are Proficient Readers 

Translators are active readers. Books are always part of their lives. As a result, their comprehension and problem-solving skills are above the average. Many of the documents that need translation are written for advanced readers. And depending on the field, a translator usually works with long and technical words that need to be as similar as possible in the target language. 

If an English learner decides to step into the translation world, they need to consider extensive reading as an activity they’ll be performing on a daily basis.

Advanced Vocabulary

It’s obvious that there isn’t an exact number of words in English. Having an advanced vocabulary to translate equivalent words and phrases is a key skill that all translators should have to do their work well and accurately. If a translator receives a report on biology, they need to handle terms like “bivalve and centromere” without spending several minutes trying to find the word in a dictionary.

For this, one tip is to have a personalized list of words. The benefit of this practice is that, as the translator, you won’t waste time looking up the word in a dictionary. Additionally, you will be able to prioritize which words are more common to read or find the field specific of your preference.

C2 Language Level Proficiency

It’s quite normal to hear that a bilingual person can’t be a translator. To a certain extent, this is true. Being a translator or interpreter means having an advanced level in two languages. You basically master them. So, receiving training, getting experience, or obtaining advanced degrees is what gives a title to the translator. If you take a look at seasoned translators, they have taken assessments via online or in-person where a C2 score is reflected. 

What does it mean to receive a C2 language level proficiency? In simple words, it means that you have an excellent command of the foreign language. A C2 level also indicates that the speaker communicates fluently and is able to work in professional environments or study in a higher education setting, such as a PhD. 

Translators Are Curious

Translation is a road that never ends. Each day is a new chance to expand your expertise in your target language. Curiosity is what will motivate you to keep growing in your field and questioning if there’s an equivalent of an abbreviation or acronym is a daily task.

A translator must be able to see the work through the author’s eyes. If you decide to translate a novel or story, you might need to contact the author to clarify some terms or sentences. Plus, being curious means doing your research. You’ll probably find a new expression or word each time you receive a text. Translation involvesis a daily research on the internet or in bilingual dictionaries.

Accuracy and Quality

Accuracy means the absence of as many errors as possible. Quality means that the text has met requirements. These two terms are always side by side. Maintaining the essence of the story or document without adding or omitting words is what makes top-notch translators stand out from the rest.

How do you measure quality in your renderings? You must consider: logic, syntax, and grammar. All this is possible by reviewing the text. For example, if you were to translate an address from English into Spanish, you would keep the names of streets or states. Those small, but noticeable aspects provide quality to translations.

Once you finish your translation, resting is mandatory to go over the material with a pair of fresh eyes and make sure it has met the requirements previously established. Later, you get to work and clean up mistakes or run-on sentences that snuck in.

Translators always proofread their texts to make sure that it’s error-free. Having expertise in editing is a plus. After all the translating and editing is complete, the client receives the translation.

Takeaway

The job of a translator seems complex, considering the type of profile companies look for. However, companies and businesses always seek an excellent translator who can perform a quality rendering and work with different cultural backgrounds.