So You Want to be a Technical Translator...

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Despite the shrinkage of the world brought about by air travel and international telecommunications, most people still only speak their own language. But rapidly expanding international commerce demands multilingual product descriptions and instructions for users. Technical products require precise translations by knowledgeable translators to avoid costly or even fatal errors. These may range from simple business letters to legal documents, patents, scientific articles, service or end-user manuals.

To produce a simple translation for a simple product may only require a rudimentary knowledge of language. We are all familiar with the awkward English that can come with imported products. Manufacturers of sophisticated merchandise destined for more than just a domestic market must enlist the help of professional translating services.

A translator working for such a service must first of all be a native of the country whose language he or she handles. This is a standard requirement for this type of employment, but its not the only one. Translation requires intimate knowledge of at least two languages. But that is only the beginning. Unless translators thoroughly understand the field, they are neither qualified nor acceptable to the translating service. What's more, the translator must be familiar with jargon and conventions of the field in order to produce acceptable work. There are, of course, specialized dictionaries for the vocabulary required, but unless you're able to recognize the proper meaning of a term, you're often left with a bewildering choice of expressions.

One advantage of working as a translator is that you can work at home. But unless you have access to the software and hardware to provide the translation in the proper form on disk and in hard-copy, professional translating services won't hire you.

Few translators can be such jacks-of-all-trades that they can handle ALL jobs for the agency. You must therefore be prepared to work with other experts, either by phone (voice, FAX, modem) or in person, and you must be able to provide "rush" service, sometimes overnight.

There are few good translating services, and they all require proof of ability. Most applicants are weeded out when they try a "sample" translation given to them at the interview or mailed to them with the application. Most agencies require experience and references.

There is also the problem of confidentiality. No client wants their competition to get hold of their advance data, sales promotions, or proprietary technical information. The translator is therefore carefully scrutinized for integrity. This simply illustrates that one doesn't just walk into an office and get hired on the spot for a well-paying job that seems so "easy" on the surface.

Once established as an asset to a translating agency, you can count on a steady and interesting freelance job if you're willing to work hard and can handle every assignment with care.

Mr. Miele is a retired metallurgist and freelance translator.