Cho Han Jae
Olaf Fors
Basic Writing
May 23, 2015
How to be a good translator?
Translation is highly skilled that offer lots of time but it is rewarding and satisfying
job. Translator offers practice, skill and patience. It is a fast-growing field that offers many
opportunities to learn new things and work with different types of people. Those who have a
desire to work on translation are between communication and how people can learn, grow
and talk to each other.
My review of articles suggests that a translator must first become highly proficient in
his or her first language. According to the wikihow website, our profession should be based
on knowledge and experience. Translator has the longest apprenticeship of any profession. It
is not until thirty to start to be useful as a translator, not until fifty do to start to be in our
prime. By which time that you are forty and it is ready to begin.
One of the important things in translator is that you have to become fluent in your
native language. You have to be a very good writer with excellent grammar and knowledge of
different writing style. Translation trainees also need to familiar also need to be familiar with
the syntax of indirect speech and various figures of speech in the source language such as
hyperbole, irony, meiosis and others too.
Writing, is the ability to write smoothly and correctly in both source and target
languages are also important in translation. Actually writing is the main job of a translator.
Student should become familiar with different style of writing and techniques and principles
of editing and punctuation in both source and target languages.(Razmjou, 2002). Moreover,
translation trainees should have a good ear for both source and target languages. This means
that they have ability to pick up various expressions, idioms and specific vocabulary and their
uses. And they need to store and used it properly.
When you’re in college, you will choose a major that will give an area of expertise.
Many people think writing and translator are totally different but it has close relationship to
each other. Since many people think that being a translator just need two languages but in
reality, it’s isn’t. Fairclough (1989) says translation studies has been recognized as an
important discipline and has become an independent major, separate from foreign language
studies in university. This means that not everybody who knows a foreign language can be a
translator. Translation is the key to international understanding. So in this vast world of
communication, we need the translators who have both the theoretical knowledge and
practical skills to do their jobs well. Theoretical knowledge helps translators acquire an
understanding of how linguistic choices in texts reflect other relationships between senders
and receivers and how texts are sometimes used to maintain or create social inequalities.
A good translator should be familiar with the culture, customs and social settings of
the source and target language speakers. You should be familiar with different registers, styles
of speaking and social stratification of both languages. So it is one way to take translation and
interpreting classes to learn this kind of activities. According to Hatim and Mason (1990), the
social context in translating a text is probably a more important variable than its genre. The
act of translating takes place in the socio-cultural context. Consequently, it is important to
judge translating activity only within a social context.
Another important point is that successful translators usually choose one specific
kind of texts for translation. This kind of activities will help out on the translating side. After
choosing what you are going to do, you have focused there. For example, a translator might
translate only literary works, scientific books or journalistic text. The reason is that the more
they translate the works of a particular author, the more you will become familiar with her on
his mind, way of thinking and style of writing. And the more familiar is the translator with
the style of a writer, the better the translation will be.
After learning different kinds of skill, it will make much easier to get jobs. Some
people want to go to company, but they don’t anything about translator. When you are
looking a company to look, Employers look at our background and see this certification is
trustable and have a qualification to do this job. According to Corinne Mckay (2008) Mckay
answered the question which “how to find good agencies to apply to” and she said. She
explained with her experience what she did it. She used resource like the “ATA” directory to
find agencies’ names and website. And she never contacts the agency directly and even don’t
e-mail because it’s often a violation of public directories’ use policies to use them for
marketing purpose. After she found the agency which seems like a potentially good fit, she
click creditworthiness. After looking the agency and it said the agency is hiring, looks like a
potentially good fit and is creditworthy, then visit the agency’s website and apply to company.
Since most agencies now use online forms and send your resume.
Last, get some sort of accreditation or certification. Qualified document prove you
that you have skills required to translate professionally. Take language proficiency tests such
as Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) or other language proficiency tests to show
potential clients that you are fluent in your specific language. Also “The American
Translator’s Association” offers certification programs for translators. Being certificated
through one of these organizations is also helpful because you well be listed on their website
directions, where potential clients requiring your services can find you.
In conclusion, I found the way to become good translator. Since translator offer
professional skill so for getting mastered, we need to put lots of enthusiasm to get certificate
or mastered. To be a good translator requires a sizeable investment in both source and target
language. Only a sophisticated and systematic treatment of translation education can lead to
the development of successful translators. After learning this qualified education, you will
reach your dream to become a translator.
Works Cited.
"5 Steps to Becoming a Professional Translator - ALTA Language Services." ALTA Language
Services. HIram, 09 May 2008. Web. 24 May 2015.
"5 Steps to Becoming a Professional Translator - ALTA Language Services." ALTA Language
Services. Hiram, 09 May 2008. Web. 06 June 2015.
8 Skills You Must Have to Succeed as a Freelance Translator-And How to Get Them Marketing Tips for Translators." Marketing Tips for Translators. TESS, 18 Feb. 2014. Web.
24 May 2015.
Fariclough,N. 1989. Language and Power. London, Longman.
Hatim, B. & I. Mason. 1990. Discourse and the Translator. London: Longman.
"How to Be a Good Translator." How to Be a Good Translator. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2015
"How to Become a Translator." WikiHow. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2015.
Razmjou, L. 2002. Developing Guidelines for a New Curriculum for the English Translation
BA Program in Iranian Universities. Online Translation Journal, V. 6, No.2
http://accurapid.com/journal/20edu1.htm
Thoughts On Translation." Thoughts On Translation. Corinne McKay, n.d. Web. 24 May
2015.
Han Jae Cho is a freshman at Hankuk University of Foreign
Studies. Her major is in English Interpretation & Translation. She
wants to get good grades and want to make lots of friend in
university.