With a greater emphasis on remote working and significant growth in the translation industry, you might be considering a career in the translation profession. There are certainly many possibilities in this burgeoning space. From medical translation and legal translation to subtitling, life sciences, and interpreting, you have multiple paths to choose from. You can also opt for flexible working hours to fit around your schedule. Let’s find out a little more about the translation profession and whether it’s right for you.

The History of the Translation Profession

The translation profession is one of the oldest in the world. Just consider the many countries, cultures, and languages there are. Throughout history, translation from one language to another has always been necessary. The very word ‘translation’ comes from the Latin term meaning “to bring or carry across,” while the Ancient Greek word ‘metaphrasis,’ means “to speak across.” 

Before the Latins or Greeks had their texts and words translated, however, historians have uncovered evidence of translation taking place all the way back to the Mesopotamian era when the Sumerian poem, Gilgamesh, was translated into several Asian languages around the second millennium BC. 

Flash-forward to today and translation is as relevant now as it was then, arguably more so thanks to the globalization of our economy. With a predicted valuation of almost $50 billion by 2027, it’s clear to see that our work is still very much needed. 

The tools we work with and the way we translate may have changed over the ages thanks to technology from clay tablets to computers. But the translation profession continues to focus on bringing the meaning across from one language to another and enriching the lives of people around the globe.

What Makes a Good Translator?

A career in translation is certainly an exciting one full of opportunities. But it takes more than just being fluent in two or more languages to be a good translator. Knowing how to speak or write in different languages doesn’t mean you’ll be good at bringing the meaning across. That’s why there are special degrees and doctorates dedicated to the translation profession. 

Good translators, beyond having a university degree or equivalent course that teaches them the fundamentals of the career, need to be passionate about languages. They should also be avid readers, as reading extensively can help to achieve a higher level of quality in translations. 

Good translators need to be curious and have an open mind, with a desire to research and continually learn new things. Continuous education is a must in the translation profession as languages are constantly evolving and so are the tools and techniques used as a translator – from CAT tools and TMS to social media platforms.

Focusing on a Niche

If you want to maximize your earning potential, it would be an excellent idea to focus on a niche in translation. This means extra study but it will pay off, as being a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in a specific field and combining it with translation will make you highly desirable to a certain set of clients. There are plenty of opportunities for different specializations, with legal translation being one of the highest-paid niches. 

Apart from monetary compensation, though, you should aim to focus on working in an area that you enjoy. So, if legal texts sound anathema to you, you probably won’t be able to bring the best of you to the job. 

It’s better to focus on what you love, such as comic book translation, video game localization, or an area that really makes you passionate. Whatever you choose to specialize in, be sure to continue refreshing your skills and staying up to date with the latest changes so that you can deliver the best translations for your audience. 

Translators should also be highly organized with the ability to stick to tight deadlines and with excellent attention to detail. They should also have the creative skills to understand how to convey the meaning of the original text without simply following a word-to-word translation that doesn’t make sense in the target language. An ability to embrace new technology and translation tools as they emerge will also help you excel.

The Benefits of the Translation Profession

Working in the translation profession has many benefits, from uncapped earning opportunities to flexible hours, remote working, and continuous opportunities to enhance your career. You can also choose to work in-house with a langue services provider if you prefer working with a team or carve out your own business and manage your own time. With rising demand for translation and localization and the ability to work from anywhere in the world, it’s a great time to consider the translation profession as your new career. 

Why not find out more about the translation profession by taking a short course on our Talentum360 platform? In it, we talk about the general translation market and aim to answer the most common questions among beginners, such as how to get started in this career, how agencies work, the benefits of freelance translation, opportunities for career development, and much, much more.

On top of that, next Saturday, 20th March, Clear Words Translations’ very own Patricia Manoel, head of our Production Unit, and Anna Vaz, head of the Project Management team, will be giving a virtual presentation at PUC-Rio about our company, and the many possibilities the translation profession provides. Clear Words Translations is growing quickly and we’re always interested in taking on new talent, so be sure to check our careers page and get in touch if you think you’re a good fit.  

If you have a love of languages, a desire to continually learn and to develop your career on your own terms, you should think about becoming a translator. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday and taking your questions on Talentum360. Whatever your languages, and whatever your niche, make 2021 a special year for your career by joining this fast-paced industry.