Getting started as a translator

The translation profession attracts a fair bit of interest. It’s no wonder really. Not only does it allow you to exercise your language and cultural skills, but you also get to continuously gain new insights into a whole range of topics from the texts you translate. But what does it take to get started? Below is some – by no means exhaustive – advice.

It is common for people to believe anyone bilingual can work as a translator. But speaking two or more languages won’t cut the mustard – translation is a skill in its own right. That’s why possessing a relevant degree is crucial. Not only does it equip you with the necessary background knowledge to masterfully tackle projects, it also frequently constitutes a recruitment criterion amongst translation agencies. This is particularly true for agencies that adhere to certain ISO standards.

Exceptions apply if you can demonstrate relevant work experience and have a degree in a niche area such as biophysics or aerospace engineering. This is because in such technical fields, subject matter expertise can prove of greater use than linguistic style. The First Edition translator team, for example, counts medical doctors and biochemists who later pursued a career in translation. If this applies to you, you can study for diplomas offered by associations such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translators and Interpreters (ITI) to cement your linguistic knowledge.

Becoming a member of industry organisations is not a must, but it can help you make meaningful connections and build a support network. You can find organisations scattered across the entire globe, such as the SFT in France, the BDÜ in Germany and the ATA in the United States. As a general rule, you do not have to be based in the same country to become a member.

Depending on what the organisation offers, there may also be mentoring opportunities up for grabs. You’ll be paired up with an experienced linguist who can share some tricks of the trade or give you practical feedback on your work.

If you’re not ready for the financial investment involved in memberships, not to worry: You can still join the webinars and conferences on offer – albeit at a higher cost compared to fully fledged members. Impressively, the CIOL even offers webinars that are free for all to join.

It’s hard to imagine how a company could survive these days without an online presence. It’s the same for translation providers. Set yourself up a profile on LinkedIn (and equivalents in countries relevant to you, such as XING in Germany) and make sure it professionally demonstrates who you are and what you offer. Whenever you publish a post, double-check you’ve not let any typos sneak in – you’re a linguist, words are the tools of your trade!

If you have the time and resources to do it properly, creating a dedicated website is a good idea too. But it’s important to ensure it’s well designed, user-friendly and regularly updated. If your site appears sparse, dated or messy, it could do more damage than good.

Some translators will first seek out volunteering opportunities to gain initial experience, for example with Translators without Borders. This is where we’d issue a word of caution: Think ahead. Do not offer to translate critical documents such as hospital records or contractual agreements. If you make a mistake – even if you were not paid for your services – you could be held responsible for any resulting consequences. And if you don’t possess professional liability insurance, this could set you back a fair bit.

Newbies can look for in-house positions, although these are admittedly rare and the competition is tough. Joining a team of established linguists when you’re just starting out can prove invaluable, however, as you’ll learn a lot from your colleagues. In the same vein, you can search for internships such as the European Parliament traineeship, which runs twice a year.

Once you’ve found your footing and the jobs start rolling in, do not forget to ask for feedback. You can always ask project managers to see how an editor has revised your work and learn from their changes. A good translation agency should be willing to help you on your journey. In fact, this works to everyone’s advantage. Here at First Edition Translations, we collaborate very closely with our amazing linguists and always share relevant feedback. Don’t outright deny or beat yourself up about mistakes either – see them as lessons learned.

First Edition Translations is a certified translation agency based in Cambridge, UK. Bringing four decades of expertise in the cultural and creative industries to the table, we help private individuals, businesses, researchers and charities worldwide with translation, localisation, copyediting, proofreading and typesetting in a variety of world languages.