4 Reasons to Become a Translator
So you are wondering if becoming a translator is the right decision for you. While a choice in career is a deeply personal, nuanced decision, there are some very good reasons to consider this career path. Translation can be a very rewarding and exciting job that exposes you to new cultures, ideas, people, amazing places and ways of life. Here are some of the main reasons why someone might want to become a translator.
Translation Is In-Demand
As every aspect of human existence, including culture and economics, becomes more globalized, there will be a greater demand for skilled, professional translators. Populations in the United States and abroad also continue to diversify, leading to a higher demand for translators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that translator and interpreter jobs will grow a whopping 18% over the next decade, which it classifies as much faster than average. Because of this high demand, there will be plenty of translator positions available. This not only makes it easier to find a job but also bodes well for future job security. If you already speak or read more than one language fluently, you could very likely start doing work without any additional education or experience so long as you can prove your language ability.
You Get To Learn About Other Cultures
Because language is defined and molded by the cultures that speak it, translators need to know a lot about the culture from which the language originates. In many cases, translators spend time abroad, both while working and first learning the language. These experiences are one-of-a-kind. You will likely have a great time and significantly expand your worldview. You will also have to stay in touch with that culture as your career progresses because both languages and cultures change over time. You will need to keep up with current events, cultural changes, new words and other relevant topics that affect your ability to translate accurately. Many languages are spoken in more than one culture so it may not just be a single other culture you get to learn about and immerse yourself in.
There Is A Wide Variety Of Translation Work
Translation is a wide and varied field and there are plenty of different kinds of translation work. For example, translators can be real-time interpreters, translating for businesspeople, government officials, disabled individuals and others. They can be voice-over performers who translate interviews spoken in a foreign language. They can translate written documents of all sorts, including books, business documents, correspondence, technical manuals and plenty more. They can work in translating TV shows or films, creating subtitles or translating other audio recordings. Finally, they can go more outside the box and take on similar work, such as teaching their native language in a foreign country. Another cool thing about translation is that it’s not just a science – it’s an art as well. Many languages have words, phrases and ideas that do not easily translate into another language. It is up to the translator to apply their creative gifts and create a balance between literal and cultural translation.
You Can Work For Yourself
If being self-employed or a freelancer is something you want to do, translation is a career that lends itself extraordinarily well to that lifestyle. Translators can translate documents and audio from the comfort of their own home or from anywhere in the world so long as they have a strong Internet connection. Working as a self-employed translator requires a lot of discipline and commitment. You will not just be responsible for providing fast and accurate translations, but also must market, find clients, deal with customer service issues, effectively manage finances, perform clerical work and do other activities that go into running a successful business. You will also need to consider the type of translation work you are willing, able and want to do in order to occupy a niche.
Pay for translators tends to be around average but the career usually makes up for it in steady work, travel and amazing cultural experiences. If you already speak and write more than one language fluently, you should seriously consider doing some translation work to see if it appeals to you. Consider the various factors of what goes into being a successful translator and weigh the profession’s pros and cons to determine if it’s a good career choice for you.
