Perhaps you have just completed a degree in Arabic, or maybe you are someone who has lived most of your life in a country to which you aren’t native? Either way, if you are highly proficient in two or more languages there is a possibility that you are looking to find your way into the translation industry.
If this is the case then this guide is perfect for helping you kick-start your career as a linguist, translator, or interpreter.
Which Language Pairs Best Suit you?
Before considering what type of work you require it is worth thinking about what language pairs are best suited to you, and what roles they fit.
For instance, if you are fluent in both Arabic and English it is worth looking out for some in-house project management jobs, within a firm that deals with these two languages, before setting your sights on a company that deals with solely translation.
Freelance translation work is always a viable option, especially when you are just starting out, as this can give you a portfolio to show prospective employers.
Be proactive in your search for translation work – go beyond your comfort zone, test your limits, and rewards will be attained.
Specialist Subjects
Once you have decided upon your favoured language pairing, it is worth specialising in one sector as this can improve your success, speed and accuracy of translation.
For example, if you have had prior medical training then look for translation work within the medical sector. Likewise, if you have a law background then specialise in legal translation.
Being proficient in the languages required to complete a translation task isn’t always enough. You may need to understand sector specific terminology, understand comparable laws in two countries, or have specialist local knowledge for a well-targeted, localised marketing campaign.
Professional Language Organisations/Groups
It is definitely worth joining local or national language organisations or groups such as, the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), or the Linguistics Association of Great Britain (LAGB).
These organisations are operated for the benefit of their members, aiming to enhance and promote language skill and value, while also offering language qualifications. They usually hold annual conferences, brilliant for networking, and also offer monthly publications or journals for linguists.
Don’t forget, social media sites are also an excellent way of delving into language groups and forums. They frequently also have job postings, matter of current interest, and can give you access to numerous language-focused events and occasions.
Volunteer your Language Services
Giving back to the community is just one benefit that can be gained by volunteering your translation services. You may also find that it can build your confidence, improve your portfolio, and get you involved with new and interesting projects.
Organisations such as, Translators without Borders (a non-profit organization set up to provide translation services for humanitarian non-profits) often require the services of translators in their work around the world. You can find out about volunteering here.
Training Courses for Linguists
Where languages, people and places are concerned, you never stop learning.
Languages change – new words emerge, meanings become archaic, and words take on new meanings, so staying current within your language pairs is vital to your success and accuracy.
However, being a professional translator doesn’t just entail understanding languages.
Language is intimately linked to culture, so investing in current cultural awareness training is often a good idea, especially if you don’t have current links to both the countries of your language pairs.
Investing in yourself, and your career, is the best way to ensure your knowledge is up-to-date and accurate.
As a translator you must understand the value of your work; investing in yourself, your skill set, and your professionalism is vital to your success.
New technologies also need to be assessed for their ability to save you time and money. Machine translation tools can speed up translations through use of glossaries, translation memory, and so on, therefore, be sure to keep updated with new technological advances within the industry.
As a professional translator you have a responsibility to provide accurate, contextually precise, and current translations that are fit for their purpose, and tailored to your client’s needs. Keeping your prices reasonable is necessary initially as this ensures you are paid a fair price, but also ensures you keep your motivation throughout any translation work.
The translation industry is experiencing growth each year, due primarily to the nature of global business today. This opens up many opportunities for linguists who are just starting out, so don’t hold back, find your ambition and achieve your dream of becoming a professional translator!
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