Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Taking the right path
• Part 2 of 4: Meeting the qualifications
• Part 3 of 4: Finding a job
• Part 4 of 4: Succeeding in the trade
• Tips
• Warnings

Becoming a translator of written texts takes practice, skill and patience with yourself. The translation industry is growing fast, offering many opportunities to learn new things and work with many different types of people. You are the bridge between human communication. You enable people to learn, grow and talk to each other.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Taking the right path

1. Learn to be fluent in another language. “Fluent” is actually pretty weakly expressed. You need to know the other language like the back of your hand: from the formal register to the fluent spoken language, to esoteric terms on a variety of subjects.
   • It's also not a bad idea to study your own language. Most people only have an intrinsic understanding of their native language: they cannot explain verbally to you exactly how that language works. Also try to get to know your native language extrinsically, so that you better understand exactly how the language works and how foreign speakers approach your language.
2. Choose a field of study that allows you to acquire professional knowledge and expertise. Although you can choose to take a specific translation course to obtain a Bachelor's of Translation, many people choose a completely different route. Do you already see yourself translating for a bank? Then opt for an economics study. Would you rather translate for a hospital? Study biology. In order to translate the material properly, you will have to understand exactly what you are translating - with the right knowledge you can.
   • Also work on your writing skills. Many people think that any bilingual person can be a good translator. In reality it is different. To be a successful translator, you also need to be able to write well. It is therefore important to learn more about writing in addition to the language and subject of your choice. The fact that you can speak the language well does not necessarily mean that you can write well.
3. Take translation and interpretation courses. Translation is an absolute craft. Good translators adjust their texts meticulously in order to deliver a perfect product. In doing so, they take their audience, culture and context into account. It is therefore wise to take lessons in translation and interpretation. This academic background will help you sell your skills to future employers.
   • While still in school, you can look for ways to practice your translation and interpretation skills. It is essential to start as early as possible. This way you can gain experience and gather references that can be of service to you later.
4. Visit the country of your second language if you can. This is the best way to gain an appreciation for and a broad understanding of the language. In addition, by visiting the country where your second language is the official language, you will be able to learn the idiosyncrasies and subtle nuances of the language. You will see how people actually speak, you will learn about accents and dialects, and you will master how the language operates in its natural habitat.
   • The longer you stay in that country, the better you will master the second language. Just make sure you spend time with the locals; not with other expats!

Part 2 of 4: Meeting the qualifications

1. Take on voluntary jobs. If you are just starting out, there is a good chance that you will have to do some jobs voluntarily. You do this to supplement your resume and to make connections. For example, you can turn to hospitals, community organizations, and sporting events (such as marathons) with international participants. Ask if they could use help with translating. This is a necessary part of the beginning of your career.
   • Chances are you know someone who works somewhere where he / she comes into contact with many different types of people - from just as many different linguistic backgrounds. Ask anyone you know if they can use some free help. Why would they reject you?
2. Get a certificate. While not strictly necessary, it will help you get a job faster. Employers look at your academic background and see this certificate as proof that you have the necessary skills to do the job. You will also appear on the website of the certification body, where potential clients can find you. There are several routes you can choose:
   • You can follow a four-year HBO Bachelor at the Maastricht Translation Academy.
   • If you want to translate in the legal sector, you can be sworn in as a translator or interpreter by following a training course at the SIGV. If you pass the exams, you will be registered in the Register for sworn interpreters and translators (Rbtv )
   • There are also programs and courses for aspiring translators and interpreters at various colleges and universities.
3. Do some tests. Put your language skills to the test by taking certified tests. For example, you can choose the American Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLTP) to show potential clients that you are indeed fluent in your specific language. In addition to the accreditation or certification, your test results will also quickly show future employers that you are good enough for the open vacancy. For example, opt for Cambridge language courses to demonstrate your English language skills.
   • Search online for relevant language courses near you.

Part 3 of 4: Finding a job

1. Sign up for work forums. Websites like Proz and Translators Café offer jobs for freelancers. If you're looking to launch your career, these jobs can be just that helping hand. Some websites are free; others charge a fee - in general, the sites that charge a fee are ultimately more lucrative.
   • There are also websites such as Verbalizeit and Gengo. Here you can take tests that are used to assess your skills. You will then be divided into a group of translators where clients select their desired candidates. Once you are fluent enough and have your resume ready, you can try these sites to supplement your earnings.
2. Do an internship. Many translators and interpreters gain their experience through paid and / or unpaid internships (as is actually the case with other professions). It could just be that your internship ultimately earns you a contract.
   • Inexperienced aspiring interpreters can gain experience as a consecutive interpreter by working with a more experienced interpreter. If you are interested in becoming an interpreter, you can ask potential employers if they offer such a shadow program.
3. Market yourself. Most translators are contractors; they are usually not employees. You will be working on a project here, on a project there, and so on, and so on. It is therefore important to market yourself anywhere, anytime. You never know where your next job will be, even if it will only take a few hours.
   • For example, you can start with lawyers, police stations, hospitals, government agencies and language agencies. Especially if you have just started, you should use competitive rates. If you have references it will be easier to market yourself well.
4. Make sure you have a specialty. Focus on one particular topic of which you know both the jargon and the subject matter. For example, if you know all the medical terminology, you will no doubt be able to complete projects in the medical field better than candidates who don't. In addition, you will be able to detect errors in the content and check both the source and target text for accuracy.
5. Translators are generally more likely to find jobs in sectors where the need for linguistic services is high. Consider, for example, legal or medical translation and interpretation services. It is therefore wise to specialize in one of those areas.

Part 4 of 4: Succeeding in the trade

1. Use competitive rates. As you gain more and more experience, you can ask more and more for your services - whether that is per word, per article, per hour, etc. Apply competitive rates and ensure that they match your experience and expertise.
   • Make sure your rates are reasonable for the economy as well. In 2008, when the economy was not doing very well, many translators found themselves having to lower their prices - people were no longer willing to pay the same prices as before for their translations. Make sure your rates match the economy, the industry and your experience.
2. Get the right software. Computer Aided Translation (CAT) tools are an absolute must for any translator or interpreter. And no, Google Translate doesn't count. It is a good idea to install the free, open source CAT program OmegaT (along with the free Open Office package). Use this program for the projects you are working on.
   • Unfortunately, most companies that outsource projects prefer Trados, which is quite pricey. If and when you are able to, consider upgrading your software - this will make things a lot easier for yourself.
3. Translate only to your native language. You will see that it is a lot easier to translate texts into your native language than the other way around. That's because every job requires certain terminology that you may not know in your second language, or at least you need to research first - that is generally faster in your native language.
   • You can see why it is extra important to know the ins and outs of your own language. Successful translation is easiest when you do that to do your own mother tongue on a subject that you know like the back of your hand.
4. Stick to your reading. Suppose a company contacts you and asks you to translate a piece about the use of farm equipment in the American Midwest in the 1800s. Chances are, you keep putting off this job and it will take forever to finish as you need to make sure every letter is correct. Instead, you better stick to your specialty. First, you'll be a lot better at that, and second, you'll feel a lot better about your job.
   • Always try to expand your expertise, but not too far. Do you specialize in medical reports on pregnancy and childbirth? Then start working on articles about childcare. Gradually expand your expertise to be able to translate related pieces as well. From there you can then continue to specialize.

Tips

• Try to use your languages ​​as much as possible. Speak to them as often as possible; read as much as possible.
• Translate wikiHow articles. You help everyone with this: yourself and the visitors of wikiHow.
• Translators write, interpreters speak.
• Also on TV you can find a lot of foreign channels where French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Italian, English, etc. are spoken. Try to find these and serve as an interpreter for the programs. To practice even better, you can write down what you are interpreting.
• Be aware of the cultural subtleties, colors and nuances of all your languages. For example, if you study French, look beyond your nose. Also learn about the dialects and cultures of Québec, New Brunswick, Belgium, Switzerland, Louisiana, Algeria, etc.

Warnings

• The translation sector is looking for fast and reliable people.