Writing a book is a strenuous job. Now think of translation and double the efforts. Translating from one language to another is no doubt, a daunting task. Only a few people are lucky enough to be born in a bilingual family. And, luckily if you are one of them, and have a knack for languages, you can benefit so much. You could consider a career in TRANSLATION.
The Complexity of Translation: More Than Just a Hobby
To be a superb translator, one has to have been brought up speaking both (source and target) languages or at least spent 5-10 years in a country where the languages are commonly used. A translator’s job is to convert written materials from one language to another language. A well-translated text is the one which seems as if it were the original written text. This accuracy can only be achieved by maintaining the original structure and style of the original text by keeping the ideas and facts of the original material accurate.
What Makes a Superb Translator?
Being a superb translator goes beyond understanding the language. It’s about mastering its nuances, culture, and context. This demands high proficiency, expertise in specific fields, and a deep understanding of the source and target languages.
Where Do Translators Work?
Working hours for in-house translators generally is 9 to 5 pm. If one is working as a freelance translator, the hours can be flexible but you will need to organize them to make sure you meet deadlines. All fields these days require translations, so the area is not limited for a translator.
Translation in Various Fields
International Litigation
International litigation is really complex in itself. What makes it more complicated is when it involves various languages, cultures, procedural differences. Even one word can make a huge difference when we talk about new regulations, law, and jurisdiction. Unless all these materials are translated appropriately, there is a high chance of transnational miscommunication. Therefore, for legal translations, always rely on a professional and certified translator.
Marketing & E-Commerce
A business these days is majorly dependent on digital devices. When expanding your business on a global level you have to keep in mind that it means interacting in different languages and cultures also creating websites, advertisements, brochures, contracts and agreements, annual reports, etc. According to a Forbes report, it was discovered that 57% of the participants purchased items from websites that were based abroad. And, with only 26% of English internet users, translation and localization have become essentials for a successful international business.
Medical & Healthcare
Whatever be the industry, it is crucial to convey the proper message. And, healthcare is one such important industry. Medical documents and paperwork are very crucial and require a lot of research. If these papers are to be distributed worldwide, the documents need to be translated specifically for each region. A good medical translation can be the difference between life and death, and only a skilled healthcare professional can do it efficiently.
The Importance of Human Translation
Translation is such a job that has not lost importance with technological advancements. It is one such job that requires A HUMAN. And, if you are fairly qualified, voila! you have built yourself a great career as a translator. Translation sure requires creativity and presence of mind; at the same time also requires criticality and experience!
The Career Potential of Translation
So, you decide: a hobby or a job? If you have the skills, translation can lead to a fulfilling career with various opportunities across industries.
