Translation Career Guide
Do you think that you have a flair for languages? Maybe your future is in the translation industry.
There several colleges and universities that provides translation courses from certificates to degrees. If you attempt to become a qualified translator, it is advisable to study a degree. If you get a recognized translation degree it would be easier to get a good job in the future. Most companies when searching for translators will look for candidates with experience in the industry and some sort of certification.
Many translation students get internships with agencies as a way to acquire valuable experience. Working for a short time as a volunteer trainee can help you to establish a reputation within the industry.
Alongside with the formal requirements established by colleges and universities, there are some attributes that will help you to become a successful translator.
• Good writing abilities in your native language• Deep understanding of theoretical and practical issues in linguistics.
• Analytical approach.
• A flair for languages
• In-depth knowledge of one or more specialist subjects such as law, finances, literature, etc.
What can you study?
There are diplomas and degree courses in both modern languages and translation and modern languages and interpreting. There are also first and postgraduate qualifications that offer options in specialist areas, including:
• Film Translation
• Literary Translation
• Translation from English
• Public Services Interpreting
The Institute of Linguists (IoL) is the UK’s largest membership organization for professional translators, interpreters and language educationalists. In their website www.iol.org.uk you can find information about different courses.
A translation degree course usually takes three years full-time study while Interpreting & Translating with double honors takes fours.
Where can you study translation in the UK?
There are many universities that provide the education for students wishing to be translators and interpreters, and in the UK, here are some of the well known universities offering such courses:-
• Aston University
• City University
• Heriot-Watt University
• Middlesex University
• Roehampton University
• University of East Anglia
• University of Salford
• University of Surrey
• University of Westminster
After you finish the degree studies, the following step is to obtain the membership from the Institute of Translation and Interpreting. Being a qualified member of the Institute will give you the recognitions required to apply for jobs and professional development courses.
When trying to find their area of specialization, many translators begin studying second degrees as a way to gain specific knowledge about that particular topic. It is not rare to find translators that study Law or Medicine as a way to enhance their knowledge in the pertaining area. There are many translators that do this procedure contrariwise; they first study another subject and then they use their expertise to become translators of interpreters.
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