When people hear or read a translating job vacancy, it often leads them to one specific major: pure language degree, assuming that other graduates may not have a chance. Most of the time, translators are viewed as ‘born’ from a language or language education background; now, this presumption needs to stop as it can mislead those who want to pursue a career or business in translation. Let’s talk about the job: translating means transferring a source language to a target language. When you translate, you transfer the meaning of a text through your words in another language. From this definition, do we see any condition stating that “it must be done by a professional language graduate”? This is precisely why we need to start thinking that the job is exclusive to linguists.

So, what do we need to be an eligible translator? First, we have to make sure that we are fluent at least in two languages: yep, the grammar and all. What about vocabulary? Do we have to be a ‘walking and breathing dictionary’? Well, no worries. Even as native speakers, some people might not always understand difficult or new terms in their language. That’s why a dictionary is made: to help people find the meaning of a word, regardless of the language. Second, we need to read many texts because it will help us understand many contexts and subjects. So, is reading essential to translators? ABSOLUTELY. Translators must spend time reading (yes, even novels or other recreational readings are essential!).  The third optional requirement is expertise in a subject or knowledge; well, it is not always the case for all translators, but being an expert in one particular field will boost our credibility and ‘sell’ better. The customers will see us as the best person for the job.

Lastly, we need to start practicing your skill through any means possible: movies, textbooks, news, poems, anything. Find our expertise and keep improving! Being a famous and ‘expensive’ translator is not a matter of weeks; it might take months or even years. Good luck, future translators!