If you log onto Google and type in "translation services" you will find that there are around 2 Million entries in the UK pages alone...were you to search worldwide, you would find some 94 Million entries. These figures attest to the huge demand for translation services, a fact that is unsurprising considering the globalised nature of the world today.
But stop for a moment. Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a translation company? Who these translators actually are, what kind of things they translate and how good they have to be to make the grade?
Let's have a look.
As you would expect, the aim of translation is to convert text from a source language into a target language. Translators may work on such things as legal documentation, technical or scientific projects such as reports or instruction manuals, literary and educational work such as translating novels and textbooks, or even perform media translation such as film scripts.
As you can see, the type of work is varied, but what are the entry criteria?
A potential translator will certainly need a very high level of education, usually a language degree, a degree in translation, or preferably, a degree such as Engineering, Law, Science or Business, combined with a language.
Many translators are fluent in more than one language, but they all have one thing in common; they have an intimate knowledge of the culture of the country whose language they are translating and this has usually been gained by living and working in that country.
The best professional translators, once they feel that they have the relevant experience, choose to try and obtain membership of one of the professional linguistic bodies. Two examples of these are the Chartered Institute of Linguists and the Institute of Translation and Interpreting. Acceptance into one of these bodies formally recognises their level of linguistic ability and also gives them ongoing support, guidance and career networking opportunities.
Like many professions, linguists generally fall into two groups, staff translators and freelance translators. Staff translators usually work in a 9 to 5 capacity translating from a permanent base in a company office. Freelance translators on the other hand tend to work from home and have variable working hours that may include weekends and evenings.
Now that you know what it takes to make the grade to become a linguist, you might be wondering where the best of these translators are to be found.
As you might expect, the best translators are always to be found in the best companies. A cursory look at the client portfolio of such companies will immediately testify to their expertise and to the quality and professionalism of their translators.
So the next time you need a translation, you will know about the background and training of the translator who will carry this out for you and you will certainly know where to find a company who only employs the very best translators around!
Ioana Mihailas is a linguist for Lingo24 translation services London, a leading provider of high quality translations.
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.
