Translator
OFO No: 264302
Other names for Translator:
- Subtitler
- Translator-revisor
Youtube clip – The Career of a Translator
For training options in South Africa – scroll down
What is a Translator?
Are you bilingual or trilingual?
Do you have a love of languages and a flair for linguistics (the study of human languages)? Then a career as a Translator might interest you.
Translators put written, oral or sign language text into one or more languages, keeping the message the same.
Fields of translation:
- Commercial translation
Documents for the business sector including correspondence, reports, accounts, and tenders
- Legal translation
Legal documents, such as contracts and treaties. Translators can also work for the courts system
- Literary translation
Novels, poems, plays, and non-fiction literature
- Media translation
Press material for newspapers, magazines, blogs, media websites, etc
- Medical translation
Medical books, medicine instructions, manuals for medical equipment, etc. Mis-translation in the medical field can have serious consequences, so accuracy in extremely important!
- Technical translation
IT documents such as owner’s manuals, user guides, technical instructions, etc.
What does a Translator do?
- listens to tape of recorded conversations, translates and transcribes
- listens to live conversations or speeches and translates phrase by phrase trying not to lose context or style being conveyed
- reads and translates documents (technical, medical etc)
- proofreads and edits translated materials
- liaises with clients to ensure points, nuances, and context are communicated exactly and clearly
- follows ethical codes to protect the confidentiality of the information that they are translating
- identifies conflicts that might arise in relation to the meanings of words, concepts, practices or behaviours and being able to resolve them
- translates messages simultaneously into specified language, orally or by using hand signs, ensuring that the message content, context and style remain the same
- checks accuracy!
Are you … ?
- proficient in more than one language?
- a lover of languages?
- good a grammar, spelling etc?
- an active listener?
- accurate?
- an excellent communicator?
- good at memorizing information?
- able to communicate ideas effectively and clearly in writing?
- computer literate?
- good at comprehension?
- detail orientated?
How do I become a Translator?
- THE SOUTH AFRICAN TRANSLATORS’ INSTITUTE: (SATI)
http://translators.org.za/sati_cms/index.php?frontend_action=display_text_content&content_id=1
There are various ways to train to become a Translator.
Here are some options:
- A National Diploma, BTech and MTech can be done at some universities of technology.
- A Bachelors of Arts in either Applied Languages, Translations Studies or Linguistics can be done at numerous universities. See list below. Further studies like Masters or Doctorate can also be done.
- A Bachelor of Arts in Court Interpreting can be done through UNISA.
TRAINING:
- CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
- Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
- To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education.
- CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions.
OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Script Writer … or … Copywriter
Is becoming a Translator the right career choice for me?
