Becoming a translator

[maximo]

I'm not sure where to post this, but here we go..Does anybody know if you have to have a specific academic qualification to become a translator ? I have lived in the UK for a few years, and as part of my previous jobs, I have always had to do some translation work , so I'm now thinking of doing it as a full time job, free-lance or for a company. I could do an MA in translation, but it is very expensive and I can't afford it at the moment. Does anyone know what employers go for as far as translators are concerned ? Native speakers with no formal qualification in translation, or qualified non-native speakers ? I hope this is clear enough... I'd be grateful for any advice. Thank you!

[NoGood Boyo]

You need to have genuine and provable biligualism (or multi-lingualism). This usually means parents of different nationalities and learning many languages from your formative years, Not many people qualify, and it's a hard route, but not as hard as interpreters. A degree will help, but it depends what area you want to work in. I have degrees in languages and fluency in a few, but I still wouldn't be good enough to tbe a translator. Sorry if that sounds a bit negative. What's your plan? Best of luck. NGB.

[Hgrove]

I know three people who are translators;  two as their main job, the third one does it part time in addition to her daytime job.  As far as I know it is a question of slowly building up contacts and a clientele.

[Yinzer]

My mother in-law is a translator and interpreter and has no degrees or schooling whatsoever. Most of her work is sporadic, meaning one "client" may request her services 3 days one week, 4 hours the next, and there are vairous "clients" that her agency hooks her up with as well as some freelance. The only thing that really matters is being able to prove you really know the other language, not how you learned it. Of course once you get a little experience more jobs become available to you. Do you know where to begin, who might need you or atleast point you in the right direction?

[maximo]

Hi there ! thank you for your answers. As I said I've lived in the UK for a few years, and I think I'm now quite fluent in English ( forgot to say, I'm a native French speaker). I've got a degree from home (France), but not in languages. I don't really know if this is enough, as I'm aware that translating is very hard work, and you certainly have to have some professional "technique", which you learn when you do a degree in that field. It is really just the financial aspect of going back to Uni that stops me. But I am also thinking that, as with any professional qualification, it will allow me to get a better paid job. It's a big dilemma...

[amarillis]

You could try contacting a translating agency like this one http://www.london-translations.co.uk/ and asking them what their procedures are in regards to qualifications, experience, etc.

[Hgrove]

Another point maximo, it would probably help if you specialise in something - for ex. one of the people I know specialises in medical translations.  Perhaps your original degree discipline will give you an idea - you could specialise in economic/legal/medical/engineering/ political & local government translations etc. etc.  Books (novels) I think is a much more difficult game to get into, but there is a steady stream of work of reports and articles.

[EZOfficial]

Check out the article for clarity. I came across this article while I had the same question in my mind.

https://ezworks.io/translation-jobs/

All the best!