subject: Becoming Certified Translators: Putting Language Skills To Work [print this page] With the ever expanding world, people of the US are in need of certified translators to aid them in their purposes. Whether a company is seeking to expand overseas, a government official needs a translator for their delegate duties, or a private tour needs translation services for a guide tour, the demand for professional, certified translators is growing.
Becoming certified translators takes more than a few high school courses, and a passing knowledge of greetings and swear words. Certified translators are professionals that have taken their love for language and made it into a lifestyle.
The first thing a person needs in order to become a certified translator is the ability to speak at least two different languages, for instance: American English and French. With the increase in multi cultural families, there are many people who are taught from a young age to speak two different languages. These bilingual children have a leg up on the competition because they are taught the languages while their brains are capable of retaining the information better.
For those who werent born into multi lingual homes, there are other ways to learn foreign languages for work as certified translators. In order to learn foreign languages on the level that will attain certification, the person much enroll in language courses at the university level. High school classes wont cut it. If there are no language courses available for the language in demand, planning some time abroad in the area in which the language is spoken natively would be a good idea. Complete immersion in the culture and language of a foreign country is an excellent way to learn a language fluently and successfully in order to become certified translators.
Currently, there are computer software programs that promise to teach languages using successful methods. This software will cost anywhere from $200 to $700 per language, and requires yearly updates for changes in dialect and expressions. This software may or may not be acceptable for qualifying certified translators.
After taking the courses and/or spending time immersed in the language, the next step is obtaining and training using Computer Aided Translation software. This software is expensive but indispensible when conducting translation services.
After learning the languages and obtaining the appropriate translation software the candidate needs to create a resume. The resume should include the languages spoken, language course work, cultural experience in those languages, previous work experience, other educational experience, references (preferably ones who speak the languages that were learned), and other relevant qualifications. Also, it wouldnt hurt to have the resume written in each of the languages spoken to show fluency and creativity.
Becoming certified translators requires time, determination, a love for learning, a passion for languages, and patience, but many career opportunities for certified translators make all that hard work worth it.
