Translation: Is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an appropriate
and equivalent target-language text.
Translator:A person who translates from one language into another, especially as a profession Translator.
Interpretation: The facilitating of oral or sign-language communication between users of different languages.
Interpreter: A person who interprets, especially one who translates speech orally or into sign language.
Professional translator called as domain experts in Industry for translating the documents as technical, medical, legal &
patent etc are very complex. Become a professional translator and interpreter, It takes years of practice, understanding and regular usages of the language. A professional translator must be able to understand, assimilate and reproduce the information and meaning of the translation and do it all naturally.
To become a translator you should know at least two languages either it may be called source or target language in translation industry, whereas every professional translators charge per source or target language translation output words, if it will be simply translating the text. In addition to just translating the text, professional translators and interpreters they also do transcription, transliteration and voice over, captioning and subtitling in multimedia industry.
These are some basic criteria that need to be fulfilled by a good translator:
a) Read and Speak different languages
b) Proficient language writer
c) A sharp listener
d) Regular in touch with bilingual dictionary and encyclopedias
For starting the career in Translation Industry, A college and university degree is essential either be a Graduate or Master in language, but not necessarily a degree in a particular language must be needed. It’s beneficial to have qualifications
or experience in a different field and even more beneficial when you follow it up with master linguistic training. When choosing your language combinations think about also learning the cultures and the customs of the countries as well. You can do this by studying and travelling abroad.
Besides the classroom education, linguistic training and studying abroad you’re going to need some tools and resources for your language and document translations. First and foremost you’ll need a laptop or computer with internet connection. And, if you’re frequently a traveller domestically or travelling abroad, then you simply require an internet card so you always have the option of working online from anywhere in the world. You’ll also need to purchase word processing software, a telephone, answering machine and fax machine. Other resources include dictionaries, translation memory software and CAT tools.
Recently in the translation industry CAT tools become very very essential for every professional translators to provide more output daily and without any grammatical errors. CAT refers to computer aided translations tools. These tools can be quite expensive but will be worth the investment in the long run. Kindly try it.
As more businesses are entering in the global market due to advanced technology, professional translation service is getting more important if you are selling your products or services overseas. If you are doing business overseas, you will need professional translation services so as to submit business plans and documents to your local managements. As different countries have different law, taxes & accounting and documentation procedures, this is where translation especially business translations plays an important role.
Nowadays, professional translators and interpreters are needed to transfer information between companies. The translator’s work is not limited to only converting one language to another. To attract more client, bringing the businesses, the translator must present something that is nice, original and competitive in price. Other than fighting cut-throat prices with other competitors, a translator should use his or her professionalism to convince the client to give his business to him.
Translators and Interpreters render their services in many different business areas, and they specialize in specific fields, called domain expert of SME ( Subject Matter of Expert ). Some of the specialized translation areas in which translators and interpreters play a key role are:
Medical interpreters and translators: Medical interpreters help promote communication between hospital management and patients. Medical translators also help translate patients’ journals, reports and hospital information brochures into patients’ languages. Medical interpreters and translators will have strong knowledge of medical and conversational terminologies in both languages, as well as the cultural aspect relating to how the patient receives the information.
• Localisation translators: Localisation involves the complete adaptation of a product for use in a different language and culture. A translator possesses a high degree of knowledge regarding the local users of the product. The main objective of localisation translators are to adapt the product as if it had been originally manufactured in the country where it will be sold and supported.
• Specialized business translators: Specialized business translation involves specialist translation in various fields such as, legal, technical, business license, patent, finance, economics, marketing etc. An interpreter or translator will have sound knowledge of the respective Industry and it’s markets and current events. An example of this type of service is specialized business translation in financial markets. This involves the translation of documents such as financial
statements, mutual funds reports, regulatory statements and reports etc. into the target language.
• Conference interpreters: Conference interpreters work in international fora such as WTO, the World Bank
etc. where the participants come from around the world. Sometimes, these interpreters are also used as mediators among international businesses that operate in foreign countries. Conference interpreters often have the ability to interpret from at least two passive languages to one active language, for example, from Chinese and Korean, French, Spanish into English.
Professional Translator must have as followed:
1. Professional & Ethical. This is the most important assignment that every translators must have around the world. Translators often come across the client’s confidential information such as business plan, commercial contract, prices of offer, marketing strategy or a new invention in design and technology etc. They should never use this information to harm the client’s information. By being honest and loyal, translators can build trust with their clients and thus it helps to establish their careers in Industry. The translators should never accept translation work beyond their capacity. By over promise and under-delivery, it will only ruin their careers in the translation industry.
2. Proficient in language & SME. Convey the message more appropriately, correctly and efficiently, translators need to master the source and target languages. A good professional translator will be able to translate the documents to its native language or equivalent. They will also need to be familiar with subject or it’s related field being translated so as to translate more accurately.
3. Willingness to learn :Translator can’t become a perfect one at one go, so need to work out on your language, if required, also put some time to learn along with some interested subjects as engineering, medical , legal, patent etc. Translators need to have the capacity and always ready to adapt to any changes happening in the fast-moving technological world. They should also be well-versed with modern communication tools such as instant messenger, Skype, Wechat , whats app and computers and it’s application. Professionalism in the translation industry is not a choice anymore. It has become a necessity in order to survive in this competitive market.
Note: Excellent & Professional translators,
Interpreters are not produced overnight. It is all down to hard work and time spent on upgrading themselves according to the market of translation industry.