How to Become a Translator
Becoming a translator of written texts takes practice, skill, and patience with yourself. It is a fast-growing field that offers many opportunities to learn new things and work with many different types of people. You are the bridge between communication and how people can learn, grow, and talk to one another.
1. Become fluent in another language
“Fluent” is sort of an understatement. You need to know another language inside and out, from formal dialogue to casual conversations, to esoteric terms about a variety of topics. It’s not a bad idea to study your own language, too. Most people only have an intrinsic understanding of their mother tongue; they can’t verbally explain to you how it works. Get an extrinsic knowledge of your language to better understand how it works and how foreigners approach it.
2. Take translation and interpreting classes
Translating is a true skill — a good translator makes tiny modifications to the text they’re working with to make it as good as it can be, taking into consideration audience, culture, and context. If you’re currently a student or even just live near a college, take classes in translation or interpreting. Having this educational background will help sell your skills to future employers.
§ While in school, look for opportunities to perform translation or interpreting work on campus for whomever you can. It is crucial to start early so you can get experience and get recommendations for when you need them later on.
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3. If you can, go to that country of your second language
The best way to get an appreciation for a language, a true understanding of it, and to see its nuances and idiosyncrasies is to go to a country where it is an official language. You’ll see how the people actually talk, learn regionalized terms, and get a true feel for how the language naturally works.The longer you stay in that country for, the better and better your second language will get. Just make sure you spending your time with locals and not other expats!
4. Take volunteer opportunities
When you’re just starting out, you’ll likely have to do work for free to beef up your resume and make connections. Turn to community organizations, hospitals, and sporting events, like marathons, that have international participants and see if you can just help out on the translating side. It’s a necessary part of starting out in this career. Odds are you probably know someone who works in an industry that deals with many different types of people with many different linguistic backgrounds. Ask everyone you know if they could use some free help. Why would they turn you down?
5. Get certified
Though certification isn’t 100% necessary, it will make it much easier to get jobs. Employers look at your background and see this certification and trust you have the skills to do the job. You’ll also be listed on the website of the organization you go through, where potential clients can find you.
6. Get tested
Take a language proficiency test such as the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) to show potential clients that you are indeed fluent in your specific language. Similar to an accreditation or certification, showing your test results to prospective employers is a quick way for them to assess your skills and see that you’ll be good for the job.
