Description of the job
The majority of translators work part time or freelance for commercial agencies of translation. When needed, they practice special projects appropriate according to their abilities and spheres of knowledge. Some are employed for the import export firms that are generally located in harbor cities. Around one hundred people are employed by the U.S. government as interpreters and translators. The UN with its organizations employs interpreters and translators.
Translators cannot be called writers, they are speakers. They enable those people to communicate with people who do not know a similar language. A simultaneous translator interprets the words of the speaker just as he says it. A consecutive translator lingers until the narrator has completed the talk and then translates. Simultaneous translators need speed while consecutive translators need good memory. Both must have accuracy.
Educational requirements
Prospective interpreters and translators must start a comprehensive study of no less than one overseas language as soon as possible. Those who verbalize any foreign speech at home must persist to study the same in school. The interested individuals must also take additional courses in school.
A college grade is essential for majority of tasks of this kind. In college, future interpreters and translators persistently studies foreign languages as well as polish their skills of writing. Some colleges also offer students a chance to expend some time studying in a foreign country. Candidates might select to take lessons in additional fields according to the form of translation they intend to do. Technical translators require a background in science, engineering, politics and business. Literary translators generally achieve doctorate degrees in foreign country literature.
Career advancement
A person can possibly start a line of business as a bilingual secretary as well as progress to much more challenging work as an interpreter or a translator. More and more people related to this field are needed in New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
Interpreting and translating are very competitive and small fields. The profession is emerging as the businesses and countries have more global dealings. Thus, a more than average augmentation in this field can be anticipated through 2014. Also, there will be keen competition for the job of translators.
Salary and benefits
Salaries for the interpreters and translators vary, according to the subject matter, language, experience, skill, certification, education and the employer type. In accordance with the statistics of the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the mean hourly income of a qualified interpreter or translator in 2004 was $16.28. Experienced translators and interpreters can make up to $27.45 in an hour. Translators or interpreters with specific skills like the ones employed in software concentration, usually make higher rates. Federal employees make around $71,625 in a year.
Self employed or freelance translators might charge per hour or per word. Most freelance translators can earn up to $20-$30 in an hour. Translators working as attendants for foreign clients make a minimum of $100 in a day.
Thus, having a career as a translator can be very beneficial as their demand is increasing universally due to more international trade taking place.
