by Sun Meilan

Created on: September 27, 2010   Last Updated: January 19, 2012

If you are bilingual, or virtually so, then being a translator is probably something that you have considered as a career. For the purposes of this article, please note that a translator is someone who transfers written material from the original language into another; whereas an interpreter works with the spoken language. Although it is also necessary to consider the disadvantages of being a translator, there are certainly a number of benefits. 

*Uses your skills

Whether your language skills have been part of your life since you were a child, or you have spent years learning it since, it is an amazing skill that many people admire. If you can use these skills to earn a living, then it can be hugely beneficial, both to you and the client. That way, you can continue to develop your language skills - if you don't have the chance to practice all the time, you may lose your skills over time. Translation work is also very stimulating, because it isn't something you can do without putting your all into it. 

*Interesting work

Translation work can be incredibly interesting. There are so many different types of translation that you can do. Commercial translation is likely to be linked to business or technology, but you could also find translation work in other fields, such as literature, medicine, science - any field that needs translation is a possibility. You don't need to restrict yourself to one field either, although you will find that there is technical vocabulary in some areas that will make it advantageous to specialise in certain fields. 

*Creative

Many people presume that translating from one language to another is a very literal piece of work. However, that is far from being the case. A translator also has to be a good writer. Literal translations are often clumsy and can even be hard to read. The translator needs to be able to turn the language around to make it flow properly in the new language and this can take a large amount of creativity. This is particularly the case in literature, when the meaning of the original language may not be immediately obvious. 

*Freedom

There is a certain amount of freedom associated with being a translator. If you work for a translation agency, you may not have much choice over the work that you take on, but you will generally be able to work from home, or anywhere else you choose, if you want to. With the power of the Internet, you don't even need to be in the same country as your client. If you decide to work for yourself, however, you will be able to pick and choose your work, set your own charges and decide on your own schedule. This may not suit everyone, but if you like your independence, it could work very well for you. 

*Rewarding

It is hugely satisfying to complete a piece of translation work, especially if it was lengthy and involved a certain amount of research - as it undoubtedly would if it was a subject with which you are not fully familiar. The knowledge that you completed it on your own makes it more rewarding than a task you have done as part of a team. Even better, the fact that you have had to use a certain amount of creativity to make the writing flow well means that it is much more than just a work of translation - there is part of yourself in there as well as the original author. 

Being a translator is definitely something that will suit some people and not others. However, if you like working independently and using skills that are second nature to you, then translation could be a perfect career choice for you. 

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