Being a language translator can be an incredibly exciting and rewarding job, providing irreplaceable opportunities to travel and meet new people. However, for those who are completely inexperienced in the business, getting a foot on the ladder can seem daunting. This guide is designed to help prospective language translators to achieve their ambition.

It goes without saying that the primary requirement for being a translator is fluency in two languages. However, the question as to just how fluent you have to be is a trickier one. Your source language (the language of the original text being translated) and your target language (the language into which the text is being translated) will normally remain consistent and you will usually only translate texts into your mother tongue or native language. However, if, for example, you have been living in a different country for a good number of years, there may be an exception. Generally speaking, however, the majority of people only achieve native proficiency in their native, first language.

In your target language, you will need excellent writing skills and a superior grasp of grammar and style, as employers will expect the finished text to be perfect. In your source language, however, this level of comprehension is not essential. Clearly you will need a superb grasp of the language, although you will also have access to a good deal of reference material and dictionaries during the process of translating. You should also try and specialise in a certain subject, as this will make translating texts on specific topics rather more manageable with less technical vocabulary to master after the initial learning curve.

Another thorny issue requiring consideration in becoming a language translator is that of a translation degree. A degree of this kind will almost certainly make it far easier to find an initial job, as it will give you an advantage even if you are lacking commercial translation experience. If possible, choose a translation programme which includes an internship, allowing you to build work experience prior to your graduation. After a few years, however, your references and work experience will become far more important to finding work than your education.

Whilst there are no artificial constraints as to preferred languages, common sense dictates that languages that are more widely spoken are likely to be in greater demand. Thus, it would probably be most lucrative to be a translator from Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, Hindi/Urdu, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, German or French. However, translation expertise is also required in every other language worldwide.

Another important decision to make when becoming a translator is whether to work freelance or in-house. Some translators work in both contexts, although most simply focus on one. Freelancing requires you to take care of your own sales, marketing, accounting and administration. However, the benefits include scheduling your own work and the ability to be choosier as to your assignments.

In-house translators, although benefiting from greater stability and a steady flow of work, will often operate in an office-based environment, the social elements of which may suit some and repulse others. Ultimately, everyone's lifestyle and situation is different and which route you choose will depend entirely on you as an individual.

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