Translator Job Description

Due to the new age communication technology, the world is coming closer and in most places you will see people from different cultures co-exist. The world has become an open market and many organizations have businesses that are not restricted by geographical boundaries. Art transcends borders and many literary works of the past and present are translated in numerous languages. The job description involves changing written words in one language to another while maintaining its original meaning and context. There is no specific degree which qualifies an individual as a translator, but many translators have at least a bachelor's degree and have in-depth knowledge of at least two languages, for example the German Language and the English Language.

Job Description

The key to being a translator is understanding the meaning and the context of the original writing and then to translate it in another language while maintaining the integrity of the original work. It is not about replacing words from one language with words from another. Word to word translation never works, because a word in one language could mean one thing and it's substitute in another language, if used, could change the whole meaning of the sentence. Colloquialism and slang words also need to be taken into consideration while undertaking any translation work. For example, slang words used in English will change drastically while doing a French translation related to work.

Language is a thought process which is influenced by culture and surroundings, many words are region specific and their inferred meaning is totally different from the dictionary meaning. We also live in an age which is influenced by slang words and their use in business communication is also gaining popularity. For example, a sentence in English reads 'It is a really cool gadget' now the word 'cool' is a slang for 'nice' or 'awesome' but the literal translation of the word 'cool' is 'cold' or 'not warm'. Today, there is a good demand for translators and they can be characterized into different categories, literary translators, Medical translators, Legal translators and Technical translators. Each area of translation needs specific background knowledge and an expertise in the subject.

• Medical translators must have knowledge about medical terminology and different drugs, their brand names and substitutes. A medical translator will be required to perform a number of duties for example translating the 'how to use' directions or to maintain medical records for insurance companies and physicians. They might also be called in to translate medical brochures or after care information a proficiency in medical abbreviations and terminology is expected.
• Literary translators closely work with the authors to convey their feeling into another language correctly, so that the message doesn't get diluted in the translation process. These individuals must have a firm grasp on the culture and emotions of the language that the work is being translated into along with excellent grammar and composition. It is one of the most difficult forms of translation because creative writing is not easy to replicate, because of lack of phrases or words which can convey the exact meaning as intended in the original work.
• Technical writing is about having the requisite educational background or knowledge in a specific field for example mechanical engineering. The work is mostly about translating 'how to use' or 'assemble' machine parts. It also includes translating instruction manuals which have a high use of technical jargon. In technical writing the translator duties and responsibilities extend to giving correct instructions to avoid accidents and to ensure proper use.

Salary

The remuneration of translators largely depends on the kind of organization they are working for and the number of years of experience they possess. Average translator salary is around USD 38,000 annually with some translators with experience make around USD 58,000 annually. Most translators do freelance writing and do not work with a specific organization, they are generally contracted for a specific task. As the nature of work is freelance and the use of electronic media is prevalent most translators work from home.

The translator salary depends on their skill and the languages they know, mainstream languages, will earn you comparatively less money than other languages. Translators salary goes as high as USD 72,000 annually, if you are a master in more languages than two, and also if you can translate a language which very few people can. For example, an individual who can translate Spanish language might be paid less than an individual who can translate the Chinese.

The job of a translator is such that, there are very few avenues of continuous work and most people work from their home. The Unites Nations (UN) office, Federal Services and the European Union are some of the employers who have steady work for quality translators.