How to Become a Translator

While many translators work just between their native language and the second language they have acquired due to migrating or having a diverse family background, it’s still worth thinking about what other languages you might want to work with. Perhaps you’ll find that a language you are interested in is in high demand and that it would be worth studying this language extensively to make you a more diverse translator.

You’ll then have to decide whether you want to work as a freelance translator or enjoy stability as a full-time or part-time translator at an agency. This will help you decide what continuing education you might want to pursue, and what your job prospects look like. Remember that this doesn’t have to be set in stone – you can always shift from freelance translation to a full-time job, or vice versa.

To provide translation services in Australia, it is required that you are a certified translator. The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) offers certification programs for hopeful translators. In terms of formal education, anything from a bachelor’s degree to an online course in your target language can help to boost employability. Remember that simply having solid language skills isn’t enough to be a translator – translation is a skill in itself that must be developed, while writing skills are essential for ensuring information is conveyed accurately.

Translation work is incredibly diverse, so it’s not enough to simply be skilled in a particular language. For example, medicine or government have their own industry-specific terminology, which you might not even know in your native language! It’s therefore important to hone into one or two industries that you are interested in, and learn the relevant terminology as needed.

As mentioned above, translation is much more than just being good at a couple of languages. Developing work experience will demonstrate your skills in real-world scenarios, and expose you to slang and cultural context. You could work on a volunteer basis for a while to develop this experience or provide freelance services to your family members and community.

While perhaps more relevant to interpreting, the translation industry also requires a level of cultural sensitivity and empathy. You could try expanding your view of the world through language clubs, mentoring programs, or even a global exchange program, improving your language skills and gaining first-hand experience of the culture.

Once you’ve developed the relevant skills and experience and acquired the necessary certification and education, it’s time to start the job hunt. Working with translation agencies will usually be your best bet, as they do all the work to acquire clients for you. Or, you could choose to apply directly to a government agency, a law firm, or another organisation that consistently needs translators across a handful of common languages.