Bilingualism is often assumed to make someone a qualified translator, i.e., converting one language into another. It may even seem common sense that having native skills in two languages would automatically make a great translator. Being highly proficient in a language means more of understanding the words more quickly, therefore, it would be easier to translate, right?
However, what do the terms “native” language skills, or proficient, fluent, bilingual mean? This could involve growing up speaking a language exclusively, language acquisition through training or travel, or even being self-taught. These terms are arguably subjective.
These subjective terms are often associated with translation as a standard of which to follow. Even total mastery of a language – from being immersed completely in environments where the language is spoken – sounds great in theory, and a promising jump-start to a fulfilling career.
However, a qualified professional translator possesses a combination of education, skills, experience, and certain personal attributes that contribute to their effectiveness in translating content that not only maintains nuances of the original language (source) but adheres to conventions of the language translated into (target). Translation is a process that is filled with a myriad of choices that transcends bilingualism. Here are key factors that make a translator qualified:
Language Proficiency:
A deep understanding of both the source and target languages is essential. This includes fluency in grammar, vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances. This is what’s often seen as the main pre-determining factor of translator success.
Education and Training:
A degree in translation, linguistics, or a related field provides a solid foundation. While not required to translate, formal education often includes training in translation techniques, theory, and the use of translation tools. These can prove useful in navigating the choices that a translator can be faced with.
Specialization:
Many qualified translators specialize in specific subject areas such as legal, medical, technical, or literary translation. Specialization requires additional knowledge and expertise in the relevant field, ensuring accurate and contextually appropriate translations. Translators also may have a previous career and use it as a guide to develop their specialization. Having solid subject matter knowledge and vested interest in a topic can fuel this process.
Cultural Competence:
Translators need to be culturally competent, understanding the cultural context of both the source and target languages. This is crucial for conveying meaning accurately and avoiding cultural misunderstandings. Cultures can differ in terms of how information is conveyed (directly vs. in-directly), for example. This can influence how a text is translated and can be overlooked even by a proficient native speaker.
Research Skills:
Effective translators have strong research skills. This goes beyond using the most common search engines available. They should be able to find and understand specialized terminology, stay updated on industry trends, and adapt to changes in language use. Glossaries, dictionaries, style guides, and term bases are just some of the tools a translator has at their disposal.
Attention to Detail:
Precision is crucial in translation. A qualified translator pays attention to details such as grammar, syntax, punctuation, and style to deliver high-quality, error-free translations. There is no such thing as a “perfect” translation, but the care required in the translation process is not for the faint-of-heart.
Time Management:
Translators often work under tight deadlines. Being able to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines is a key skill for a qualified professional. This is one of the many tasks that a translator deals with aside from translating itself.
Ethical Conduct:
Just like the terms “native”, “proficient”, and “fluent”, what it means to be “ethical” can be loosely subjective. For example, does this mean using a previously translated to complete a current project, or doing more research to determine if there are industry changes that influence the meaning of a term? Adherence to ethical standards is important. This includes maintaining confidentiality and respecting the intellectual property of others. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and providing quotes that explicitly state these requirements can eliminate some of this ambiguity.
Ultimately, a qualified professional translator possesses a combination of linguistic expertise, subject matter knowledge, cultural awareness, and professionalism, making them capable of delivering accurate and culturally sensitive translations. Given the complexity of these factors, effective, proficient, machine-like conversion between languages by a human translator should be taken with a grain of salt.