Geoffrey
Job Title
Freelance professional translator
Company and location
Bournemouth
Industry sector
Language Services
Background (degree, first job):
Radio and TV Engineer
What does your job involve?
Translation of various texts
What made you choose your current job?
I like the challenge of translating a wide variety of topics on an everyday basis.
What skills and qualities are required for your job?
An understanding of the subject matter in the language from which you are translating and the ability to translate on this topic into my mother tongue. Perseverance in researching obscure terminology.
What do you like most about your job?
The wide variety of topics.
Do you have any advice for people entering a similar career to yours?
Yes. It is very important to have an understanding of some specialities in industry, for example, mechanical or electrical engineering, the legal profession, the medical profession, etc. With these skills at your fingertips, coupled with a 100% understanding of at least one foreign language and absolute mastery of your own mother tongue, you should consider taking a diploma in translation to demonstrate that ability to the outside world. A professional qualification (a DipTrans.) and also membership of one of the professional organizations (CIoL or ITI) will then ensure that you will be taken seriously and will enable you to earn a good living.