14438_ITI_Career_Bulletin_2017_v2 (5)

How to become a
translator
An overview of required skills, knowledge and qualifications,
as well as career paths
Translating words and ideas
from one language to another
is a fascinating, rewarding and
creative process. The range of areas
in which translation is needed is
virtually limitless – especially with the
massive explosion in translated
content as the world goes digital. So
if you love language, languages and
words, then working as a
professional translator could be your
ideal job!
But there’s a lot more to being a
professional translator than being able
to speak another language well. On
this page we outline the kind of skills
you’ll need and where to get them.
To be a professional
translator you will need:
n a fluent (near-native)
understanding of at least one
foreign language (source
language)
n a solid understanding of the
culture of the source language
country, usually gained by living
and working there for a prolonged
period of time
n excellent writing skills in your own
mother tongue
n preferably an academic degree in
the source language or in
another subject which could lead
to a specialist subject area (or 6
years’ experience without a
degree)
n an eye for absolute accuracy and
endless curiosity!
Do I need a qualification in
translation to become a
translator?
Not necessarily, although an MA
in translation or another similar
qualification such as the Diploma in
Translation (DipTrans) gives you
credibility and an edge in this highly
competitive market.
What training courses are
available for translators?
In the UK, the main training
courses for professional translators
are the Masters degree courses
offered by various universities and
the Diploma in Translation (DipTrans)
run by the Institute of Linguists
Educational Trust (IoLET).
‘As a professional translator,
it’s vital to be able to write
and communicate well in
your mother tongue (the
language you translate into)’
A full list of the universities offering
8 ITI BULLETIN CAREERS SPECIAL
www.iti.org.uk