What major to take to become a multiple -foreign language translator.?

I want to become a translator, but I don't know what to major in. I hear to major in a foreign language but I have more than one language that I want to learn(Japanese,Mandarin Chinese,French,Icelandic). What would be an appropriate major to have all these incorporated? Im interested in doing travel booking/agent,tour guide,air port assistance stuff, so I'm not really into International business,law,or medical.

I also keep hearing about linguistics ,but isn't that more for people who want to do speech therapy and more involved with learning the science of language?So should I something like international studies, relations, affairs or something?



So to list out what im asking is..





1) What would be a recommended major for someone that wants to be a translator for multiple languages?

2)What would be a nice minor to complement my major?

3)Whats the difference between International studies,relations,and affairs, and would majoring in one of those help me accomplish the translator thing for multiple languages?

4) And also your personal opinion about what I'm doing, and how I'm going about this, do you think its a smart route?



Thanks ahead. :)What major to take to become a multiple -foreign language translator.?
I am a linguist for the government. I speak 4 neo-latin (romance) languages and english. Let me tell you that having a degree in any given foreign language does not help you get a job in that language, unless you want to teach it. A college education in the U.S. in any foreign language does not guarantee you will get a job as a translator; being fluent in the foreign language will get you the job.



I'm not sure if you speak any foreign language, but if the answer is no, I must tell you that you'll have a difficult time becoming fluent. People who easily learn foreign languages learned early in life; the older you become, the more difficult it is. I grew up speaking two languages, then learned more starting at the age of 15.



Your goal is to learn languages from three different families of languages: Icelandic is one of the Nordic languages, which are a subgroup of the Germanic languages (so is English), French is a Latin language and the rest belong to the Altaic family (with different influences from other groups of languages): let's just say that it will not be easy.



Your first goal is fluency. The fastest way to become fluent is to be immersed in the language. If you don't have a way to live in those countries, for at least 6 months in each, and unable to take language classes while there, you probably won't succeed.



Once you are fluent in your target languages, pick one, and get a degree in that specific language (it can't hurt, even if you don't want to teach it, it always looks good on a resume of a translator).



Since you want to work in the travel industry, then your minor should be focused on that particular field.



Translators don't get hired off their college education: they must pass a test based on the job they're after. For example: in the U.S. millions of people speak Spanish, but for anyone to be hired as a court translator, they must pass a state certification test that verifies their fluency in Spanish, English as well as their knowledge of the legal system and legal terminology (not an easy test); therefore, people who speak spanish here, but are not educated, cannot be hired as a translator in most well-paying jobs, make sense?



If you are not able to go live abroad to learn your languages due to financial reasons, an altenative would be for you to enlist in any of the armed forces as a linguist. In order for you to be accepted in that job, you must pass a test called a DLAB (Defense Language Aptitude Battery) exam, which will give the military an idea whether you are able to easily learn and retain a foreign language. If you get accepted, you will be paid while you attend the Defense Language Institute for a year, learning a foreign language. That is another route.



I've written too much, if you want more info, add me to your Q%26amp;A network and I'll get in touch with you.



Hope this helps.What major to take to become a multiple -foreign language translator.?
You need to talk to a knowledgeable University counsellor.