Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Besides being fluent, what else do I have to do to qualify as a foreign language translator?

I have my BA in Spanish. I'm still not fluent because our university emphasized on ancient Spanish literature, which wasn't beneficial. I didn't have the money for out-of-state tuition to go to a school more relevant to my career. Do you know of any resources you can provide me with to help me a few steps further towards becoming a translator? I'm still working on fluency. I would LOVE to travel a lot. Do you know where I can turn to for job opportunities?Besides being fluent, what else do I have to do to qualify as a foreign language translator?
Hi, are you looking to get into translating or interpreting? Translating is written work whereas interpreting would be aural.

Check your university to see if they do any postgraduate degrees in translation or interpretation. You'd need a degree or diploma in one of them.

If you're not yet fluent in Spanish, I'd reccommend spending a year or so in Spain (or another Spanish-speaking country) either working or studying so that you'd be completely surrounded by the language. This is really the only way to become truely fluent. Did you not have to spend a year abroad as part of your course?

If you look for an MA in translation for example... I think that should be enough, aswell as spending some time living in a Spanish-speaking country. You already have knowledge of Spanish literature which will be an advantage if you're looking to translate in writing.



See if either of these websites might help:

http://www.eu-careers.com/workingforthee鈥?/a>

http://www.careers-scotland.org.uk/CSOcc鈥?/a>

I don't know where you're from so I'm not sure if any of that information will help you, sorry! (I'm from the UK).

Sounds great though!!



Also:

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/translat鈥?/a>

http://www.translation-and-languages.com鈥?/a>

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_an鈥?/a>Besides being fluent, what else do I have to do to qualify as a foreign language translator?
One of my friends spent time abroad undergrad and she told me that it was the most influential in helping her become fluent in Spanish. In addition, depending on where you are, go to places where there is a large latin american population to practice your Spanish. I would also say that there are several learning resources that involve audio assistance, but they are more or less proper Spanish and not what you would encounter as a translator (I'm assuming you want to speak it and not interpret it). Going back to school is an option, but it is costly and if there aren't any scholarships or research funds available, it is a waste unless you are going into higher education. Many legal professions want Spanish speakers.
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