Translation

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Good language skills can open up a world of career opportunities. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a wordsmith and love to immerse yourself in different languages, it may be worth considering a career in translation.

In our global society it’s vital that everyone is able to communicate effectively, and as businesses expand across the world and communities integrate further, a person who is fluent in a foreign language can use their skills to find themselves an exciting and dynamic role in translation. But what kind of work is available and how can you get into a career as a translator?

WORD FOR WORD
Translators work with written material, translating legal documents, websites, business reports, tourism guides and technical manuals. They usually work by translating material into their mother tongue – for example you might find yourself working on a film script or employment contract written in French or Spanish, and translating it accurately into English. Translators need to keep the material in the style that the author originally intended, so must be fluent in the original and target languages and be able to write appropriately for the kind of subject they’re dealing with, as well as having top-notch research skills and IT know-how.

Depending on the kind of assignments you’re involved in, translation work might require specialist knowledge of technical terminology or legal speak, and translators might be required to work with other experts to ensure that their translation is accurate, or meet with clients to discuss their requirements. Of course, many translators have the opportunity to travel or live abroad, employing their skills in the countries in which their languages are spoken – with a career in translation, the world really is your oyster! However, translation is also sometimes seen as a solitary career choice as it can involve a lot of desk work, requiring discipline and self-motivation.

MAKING SENSE OF IT ALL
Translators are usually educated to degree level, and there are specialised degrees available. Heriot-Watt University is home to the Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies in Scotland, and the university offers two useful four-year MA degrees – one in Applied Languages and Translation, the other in International Management and Translation, which gives participants the added edge of expertise in business management. There is also a wide range of general language degrees offered by universities across Scotland, all of which would provide a good first step into the profession. After completing a language degree you can obtain a postgraduate Diploma in Translation from the Chartered Institute of Linguists. This is an internationally recognised qualification which acts as a benchmark of professional standards – something worth having since translation is a fairly competitive career choice.

According to LearnDirect, translators can expect to earn a starting salary of around £18,000, rising to £30,000 with experience. Highest rates of pay are with international organisations such as the UN and European Commission, but Emma Wagner,
Education Officer with the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, told us that translators working there must have two foreign languages and pass an entrance exam before being considered for employment. Those choosing to work as freelancers are usually paid according to the number of words translated – from £75 to £180 per thousand words, depending on the target language. Many freelancers choose to set up their own translation agencies and, if work dries up, there is always the option of employing their linguistic talents by turning to language teaching or interpreting.

TALK THE TALK
Translation is just one of many career options available to language graduates. Professor Ronnie Ferguson from the School of Modern Languages at the University of St Andrews explains: “Our language graduates go on to a wide variety of careers. Recent graduates have used their acquired skills in directly related professions as translators, interpreters and teachers, either in Britain or abroad.” Clearly these aren’t the only options, although CILT (the National Centre for Languages) claims that there is currently a shortage of language teachers, so that rewarding career option might be worth considering if you like working with people and sharing your knowledge.

If you know your past participles and transitive verbs you’ll probably also be aware that languages are useful in pretty much every employment sector and that language skills can help your employment prospects in areas such as media, engineering or technology. Dr Peter Davies, Head of the Division of European Languages and Cultures at the University of Edinburgh, told us: “A knowledge of foreign languages opens doors that would otherwise stay closed. With one or two foreign languages you have an extra skill which sets you apart from other candidates and is useful for any employer in business, finance, marketing and many other professions.” In fact, 22% of 1,740 Scottish companies asked about foreign languages said that they had a recruitment policy that favours candidates with language skills, according to the Scottish branch of CILT. Language skills can also earn you a bigger pay packet, with people who use languages at work earning anything from 8% to 20% more than their colleagues in similar positions who have no second language. Nice work if you can get it!

LOVING LANGUAGES
Fiona Paterson is a Russian and French translator. She studied translation at Heriot-Watt University, finishing up with a first class degree and also winning the Watt Club Medal, which is awarded to the highest-ranking student in each graduating class. Fiona has been working full-time as a freelancer for eighteen months, having already spent time teaching English in Munich and Krakow.

Fiona translates a wide range of documents, including business correspondence, in-house magazines, websites, academic articles and brochures for art exhibitions. She enjoys the flexibility that freelancing can bring: “I can have a day off when I want, but I also sometimes work in the evenings or at weekends to meet deadlines. You do have to be prepared to put in the hours.” Being able to work where she likes is also a bonus – “I love working at home with my dictionaries, coffee and music!” – but Fiona says that freelancing can be quite insecure, as you never know where the next job is coming from. “It took a good while to set up as a freelancer,” she says. “I’d been doing it for about a year before I began to get a regular flow of work. Six months ago I could go for as much as two weeks without any work. It can be disheartening and you need to think about the financial side of it.”

Fiona advises anyone interested in becoming a translator to complete a degree in languages and then “get a job as an in-house translator, either for an agency or a company such as a bank or an insurance company – a lot of these jobs seem to be abroad. This will give you the background knowledge of a specific area, the contacts and the experience to set up as a freelancer later on.” She also recommends joining a professional body like the Institute of Translating and Interpreting or the Institute of Linguists: “I’m an associate member of the ITI, and find their newsletter, e-groups and workshops invaluable.”

FIND OUT MORE

Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies
in Scotland
0131 451 4201
www.sml.hw.ac.uk/ctiss/

CILT (The National Centre for Languages)
0207 379 5101
www.cilt.org.uk

CILT in Scotland
01786 466 290
www.scilt.stir.ac.uk

Chartered Institute of Linguists
0207 940 3100
www.iol.org.uk

Institute of Translation and Interpreting
01908 325 250
www.iti.org.uk

Languages Work
www.languageswork.org.uk

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