How can you become a translator or interpreter

1
How can you become a translator or interpreter?

• Ann Pattison MITI

2
Do you have good language skills?

• Would you like to use them in your work?
• You could train to work in translation and/or
  interpreting

3
What other skills do you need?

• Translators and subtitlers
• love of research
• attention to detail
• ability to write well

4
Interpreters

• a quick brain
• excellent communication skills
• a good memory
• ability to stay focused

5
Project managers

• Communication skills
• Ability to be well-organised
• Good IT skills
• Patience and a sense of humour

6
How can you acquire these skills?

• There are a wide range of courses available
• BA courses
• MA courses
• Practical Masters in Translation/ Interpreting
  or both
• Theory-based Masters in Translation Studies

7
What if I dont have a first degree?

• Are you a mature applicant?
• Do you have several years professional
  experience?
• You could be considered for an MA if you pass a
  translation test.

8
Another option

• Courses leading to CIOL qualifications
• Diploma in Translation (Dip Trans)
• DPSI (Diploma in Public Service Interpreting)
• Open to non-graduates a first degree is not
  essential but a high level of professionalism is!

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What will you study?

• Core modules in Translation or Interpreting
• Usually one or two languages and specialist areas
  (technical/medical and economic/institutional/leg
  al)
• Some basic translation theory
• MA research thesis or long translation project

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Why should you take a course?

• To learn professional skills
• To improve your employability prospects
• To become aware of current practice
• To acquire specialist knowledge

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Possible option modules

• editing skills,
• CAT,
• discourse analysis,
• other languages,
• principles of economics and finance,
• principles of science and technology,
• subtitling,
• the EU,
• translation theory

12
What are the advantages of professional
training?

• Becoming a confident and effective professional
• Finding work is easier
• Knowledge of the workplace - professional
  etiquette
• - legal issues
• Networking and peer support
• Knowing how to use the resources available

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What kind of resources are there?

• Translation tools
• Dictionaries and glossaries
• Reference works
• Online resources
• Professional associations
• Language, subject and local networks
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events

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What are the career options?

• Interpreting
• community (police, courts, hospitals)
• business,
• local and central government,
• international organisations
• conferences
• Freelance work

15
Translation

• In-house translator
• Freelance translator
• Project manager
• Terminologist,
• Subtitler
• Specialist in translation tools

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Other training and CPD

• ITI has subject, languages and regional group
  events
• Online mentoring by ITI
• Workshops, courses, seminars, conferences,
• University events (e.g. with ITI or other
  professional bodies)