Translation Skills Archives - Certified Translation Professional Program

Translation skills are in great demand today. As the world increasingly becomes more connected, a lot of businesses and organizations need translators.

So if you’re considering becoming better as a translator, here’s what you should know about how to improve your craft, aside from starting with a course for translators.

How To Improve Translation Skills

Listen To Translation Examples

Listening to translation recordings is one of the best things you can do to improve your skills as a translator. Remote simultaneous interpretations, RSI, are when translators speak in real time.

If you want to perform this type of translation, it’s important to listen to recordings in the language you’re trying to translate. This will help you pick up on colloquialisms and other sayings that you may not understand at first.

Look At Translated Documents

If you’re going to perform written translations, look at examples of documents that have already been translated. This will help you understand how to improve translation skills fast.

Localization Study

Localization is another important concept.

This is when you translate a word in the native language to the target language. You want to be able to reproduce the content with the most accurate sentiment possible.

This doesn’t always necessarily mean using the same words. That’s why reviewing examples of great translations is key.

Look At Language Guides

Great translators are always learning their target language as much as possible. Look at guides, grammar books, and examples of the languages you’re going to be translating.

This will help you have a mastery of both languages.

Become Specialized

It’s true. When you specialize your skills, you can earn more and work less. There’s nothing wrong with being a general translator.

However, when you have a specialization in a particular field, whether that’s legal, business, or otherwise, you’re typically able to enjoy higher rates.

Keep it Simple

Unless you’re going into a very highly technical field, focus on words that are more commonly used. The more specific or complex the vocabulary, the less likely it is that people are going to need to translate it.

That’s because most of the world simply doesn’t use this type of vocabulary. If you have a specific project or client coming up, then it’s always okay and recommended to review complex technical terms.

Other than that, try to focus on the 80% of words that are going to be used in most of your translations.

Become The Best Translator Possible

When you’re a translator, you have the freedom to control your time, your income, and the kind of work that you do.

But it’s easier said than done. The best translators are continuing to improve themselves every day.

So if you’re asking “how to improve my translation skills?”, make sure you’re putting yourself in the best position to succeed. That way, you can secure your future as a top-tier translator for years to come.

5 Translation Skills To Learn Today

The following skills in translation aren’t just great to have, they’re almost a necessity. As the market becomes more competitive, you’ll want to up your game to stay competitive:

1. Establish a Solid Language Foundation

Translators need to understand both their target language and their original language at an expert level. That means you have to practice grammar, vocabulary, and other elements of language frequently.

If you do this, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively and in a more nuanced way. This will help your clients and their target audience get what they need.

2. Clear Communication

Translators need to be clear communicators. Their words should have zero ambiguity and make it easy for their clients and their target audience to understand exactly what they’re saying.

You can do this using grammar, word choice, and tone. Regardless, translators must communicate effectively with more than basic translation skills. That’s the entire point of this role.

3. Effective research

Great translators know how to do their research. Translators may need to learn about the unique aspects of a new culture, a new business, or a target market.

The translators must understand this context to provide accurate translations and avoid incorrect content. By doing your research as a translator, you may invest some time upfront, but you’ll save yourself a lot of time on the back end in terms of revisions and unhappy clients.

The end result will be more work, a better reputation, and a happier life as a translator.

4. Adaptability

Every translator must be adaptable to the circumstances that they’re living in. The world is changing rapidly. If you don’t keep up by staying up to date with the latest translation trends, technologies, and protocols, you’re going to fall behind.

So don’t let yourself lose clients or confidence because you aren’t adapting to the current world. Keep reading blog posts, industry articles, and use the best technology available to you to ensure that you can save time while maximizing your hourly output as a translator.

5. Self Criticism

No one is perfect. Good translators understand this. They aren’t going to accept normal work or outcomes. Instead, they strive to be better.

You can test your skills against other translators, or look for third party feedback. If you take translating courses online, this feedback loop is naturally built in.

Basic translation skills are one thing. But excellent translation experts make more money and have better careers. That’s because they implement the five tips above and ensure their skill level matches the lifestyle they want to achieve.