A professional translator is not simply a person who speaks two languages.
Any professional
translator will tell you that it takes a lot more than a bilingual dictionary,
a working knowledge of both the source and target languages, and a reliable
Internet connection to become a successful professional translator. Even
without a specialty, all translators need many, many hours of practice followed
by a lot of experience before they’re confident enough to tackle difficult
translations and certain topics.
When a Translator Is Not a Translator
- A
professional translator is not simply a person who speaks two languages,
even though they may speak them at native level. Certainly, this is a
pre-requisite, but on its own, it’s not enough.
- A
professional translator is not a student of languages. They may be on
their way to becoming a translator, but at this stage, they cannot be
called a professional translator.
- A
professional translator is not a teacher of languages because translating
and teaching are entirely different skill sets. Certainly, a translator
can be a teacher, but a teacher of languages cannot necessarily translate.
Of course, the opposite is also true, that not any translator can be a
teacher.
- And
finally, a professional translator is not a walking dictionary! Many
people just assume that a translator knows all the words in their language
pair, but any experienced translator knows that it all depends on the
context.
Be Careful What You Translate
Translators who have
already become successful understand the cost involved, and this includes
practicing and gaining experience, followed by a lot of hard work, many
challenges along the way, and continuous marketing. If you’re already doing
small translations, but on a casual basis, the translations you do should also
be casual. By this, we mean that your work should not be able to adversely
impact the reader of the target text. Deciphering the instructions on a coffee
machine probably doesn’t require a professional translator, but more important
translations definitely warrant hiring a professional translator. And even with
your coffee machine, you could well void your warranty if the instructions are
incorrectly translated!
The Correct Approach to a Career in Translation
There’s no single right
way to become a professional translator: some people take the translation
studies route while others move to a career in translation after working in an
entirely different profession. The United Kingdom does not require
certification, but irrespective of what some people claim, that still doesn’t
mean anyone can call themselves a translator. Alternatively, there are
countries who do require specific certification for people wanting to work in
the field of translation.