Since I work for a, I often get asked whether we are hiring translators. I don’t mind the question. We’ve all had to hunt for work, and these days far too many people are without it. However I’ve found that roughly 90% of those who inquire are not qualified to be translators or interpreters. Being bi-lingual is an excellent skill, but as ESPN analyst Lee Corso would say, “Not SO fast, my friend!” Fluency in another language means being able to comprehend, speak, read, and write in that language at the level of an educated native speaker.

• Study Guide Template
• Certified Medical Interpreter Study Guide Korean Drama

Being fluent is only the first step in becoming a professional translator or interpreter. Like any other profession, it requires practice, experience, and training. There’s no one path to success, but here are some good guidelines: Step 1: Get Certified The first thing I tell people who want to know how to become a translator is to get some sort of accreditation or certification. Having credentials provides documentation that you have the skills required to translate or interpret professionally. Many universities offer advanced degrees and professional certifications in translation, and we have a separate post dedicated to the subject:. Want to be a translator?

Offers certification programs for translators. Want to be a judicial or medical interpreter? Organizations such as the, and offer certifications as well. Finally, check to see if your state offers accreditation programs for translators / interpreters. Being certified through one of these organizations is also helpful because you will be listed on their website directories, where potential clients requiring your services can find you. Overall, certification may not be required to be a successful translator or interpreter, but if you’re starting out in this industry, it is the best place to start. Step 2: Get Tested Another resume builder is to take language proficiency tests such as the (DLPT) or other language proficiency tests to show potential clients that you are indeed fluent in your specific language.

Shameless Plug Alert: we also offer and here at ALTA. Step 3: Gain Experience The next step is to gain experience.

All of us have had to start out doing internships or working entry-level jobs in order to climb the ladder, and the language industry is no exception. If you’re enrolled at or live near a college, take classes in translation / interpreting and look for opportunities to perform translation or interpreting work on campus for various departments. It is crucial to get experience where you can show samples of your work to potential clients and get recommendations. Step 4: Market Yourself After getting credentials and some experience, it’s time to market yourself to law firms, police stations, hospitals, government agencies, and language agencies that may need translators or interpreters in your area.

Most translators / interpreters work for clients on a contract basis, not as full time employees. A great way to market your services is to start a website or blog and join the active community of online language professionals. Also, make sure you have your resume and rates ready! The best indicator that an aspiring translator or interpreter is not a professional is when they have no idea what their rates should be! If you don’t know what rates to charge, call other interpreters and translators and find out what theirs are. Step 5: Keep Learning! As you progress as a translator / interpreter, there are other areas to consider as well.

What specialized industry or industries can you translate or interpret for? Do you keep up with industry terms and trends? Are you computer savvy and knowledgeable regarding translation memory software? Can you provide simultaneous as well as consecutive interpreting? If you have had success as a translator, maybe you could consider diversifying and becoming a certified court or medical interpreter.

Overall I hope I have not discouraged anyone from becoming a translator or interpreter. My purpose here is to provide a helpful guide to entering this highly competitive industry. Below are some links to articles about what it’s like to be a professional translator, and the paths others have taken to success. Paths to Success in Translation More About ALTA Language Services ALTA has more than 30 years of experience providing, and services to small businesses, law firms, government agencies, and international corporations and organizations.

Our Translation Quality Management System is ISO 9001:2008 certified. We’re proud to say that we passed the compliance audit without any nonconformity. Contact us today to get started on your next translation project! This is a big boost to my morale. I have been freelancing for the EnglishFilipino language pair for more than a year now. I do translation and proofreading but things have not been very inspiring until now.

I do get disheartened a lot because of the lack of projects and the bad/ non payments of many suppliers, but reading articles such as this makes me realise that other people went through great lengths to master the craft and equip themselves better to make it big in this industry. Thank you for the inspiration and the tips, Mary. Thanks for this learning platform too, very helpful indeed! I’ve finished the gymnasium high school here in Albania and I moved to England. I’ve passed English ESOL ENTRY 3 at Carshalton College, London UK. I came back to Albania and i did a test and I passed it.

So i started work as a teacher and worked for ten years. I am following World English Institute.

I have already finished the advance level. What if someone hasn’t finished the university and his English is fluent,? Am i allowed to take the interpretering exam. What can I do? Can i work as an interpreter if i take the IELTS Academic test or shall i take another one?

Hi Everyone, I am a female Korean student studying in the US. I came to the US when I was in the middle school and has been speaking English since. I am a music performance major at a conservatory attached to a university (sophomore.) Although I am bilingual, I am not US citizen. I know koreans only want americans.

And its going to be extremely hard to find a job in the US as a foreigner too. Not to mention my major being music performance. Do you guys have any suggestion for me? Where should I start from? Should I look into grad schools or just certification? Anything would be appreciated.

Study Guide Template

It's always been in my mind for a long time but too afraid to even think about it considering my path is going on a totally different direction. Once again, thank you for your time! I hope to get some good answers (hopefully encouragements!!). Hi If you're in university education and you speak both KO and EN to university native speaker level then you have a couple of very good prerequisites for conference interpreting (CI).

Now you need to see if you have what it takes by trying to get into an conference interpreting school. The 4 schools that teach CI KO-EN (and EN-KO).

AlIC lists only Grad schools for CI as it doesn't consider undergrad a high enough level for this skill. You may find at an admissions test (to CI Grad school) that you still don't get in. Being bilingual doesn't automatically qualify you - your KO may still be at middle school level., or you may not have the analytical abilities required, and there are lots of other reasons you may not be suited to CI. But you seem to have a head-start (imagine someone who learned KO as a foreign language who wanted to become an interpreter!) so go for it! What you major at university is not relevant. What is important is that you are articulate, quick-witted, have analytical skills and that you know your 2 languages.

Certified Medical Interpreter Study Guide Korean Drama

NB there are a lot of very gifted musicians in the interpreting profession. Nationality shouldn't be a problem in general as conference interpreters are mostly freelance and work for any client who contracts them at the appropriate fee. But it may be a specific problem in the States if you aren't allowed to stay on and work (in any type of work, interpreting or other) after your studies. But then you might be able to make a living in Korea. Good luck Andy.If you're KO is weaker than your EN I recommend studying CI in Korea with the combination EN A and KO B (or A). There is one.

And its going to be extremely hard to find a job in the US as a foreigner too. Not to mention my major being music performance. Do you guys have any suggestion for me?

Where should I start from? Should I look into grad schools or just certification? Written translation, legal or medical interpreting and conference interpreting are three different things. This Q&A website only deals with conference interpreting.

For all three professions, you should first find out whether there is any demand for Korean English. If yes, find out whether there is any need for more professionals offering that service. A 2 years master degree in Monterrey, California, costs. Studies aren't easy and the first years of a freelance career can turn out to be very difficult. Find out why reading. Interpreting and translation studies are a bumpy ride.

You might want to get in touch with to find out whether it's worth trying.