Careers/Jobs in Translation Studies

Translators and interpreters convert text or speech from one language to another. But the technique,
style, and skills vary across a range of different translation roles. A translator's schedule is often varied.
If you work as a freelancer, you are likely to choose your hours (as long as work is finished on time). You
might work from home or at an office. Or you might do your work on location at schools, government
buildings, or the courthouse.

Depending on the nature of what you are translating, you may need to summarize or expand the
information that you are translating. You may be expected to capture the essence of the original writer’s
voice or be asked to put a local spin on the content. In most cases, you will need an element of cultural
knowledge and sensitivity.

Here’s a look at seven job types for translators and interpreters.

1. UN (or other such organizations)

The United Nations is one of the most prestigious and demanding organizations to work for as a
translator. The intergovernmental organization has six official languages -- Arabic, Chinese, English,
French, Russian, and Spanish (and documents are often translated into German too).

Content for translation includes reports and statements from member governments, so accuracy and
fidelity are of utmost importance. Translators use the eLUNa computer-assisted translation tool to
compare texts and terminology with previous UN documents, databases, and other resources.

Interpreters attend meetings and conferences to assist in communication between representatives of

2. Copywriting

A copywriter creates text to describe products or services for the information of consumers and
businesses. A translator-copywriter takes that text and converts it to the appropriate language -- for
example, for a website that has different language options, or for a product that is being distributed
outside of its native country.

‘Copy' is very often used to sell something – be it goods or an idea. The translator needs to convey not
just the words, but the sense of enthusiasm and the appropriate tone. They need to find the proper
local terms and to make adjustments for cultural variation. The text must be persuasive and clear in the
local language while retaining the brand’s voice.

3. Cultural advisor

A cultural advisor may work for the government, an NGO, the UN, or any organization that deals with
multiple languages when developing policy or planning international strategy. They research and collate
relevant documents and sources, and may translate them, create a summary in the local language, or
both.

The cultural advisor might also meet with local representatives, in which case it is necessary to conduct
face-to-face communication and represent it accurately to their employer. They will need to
demonstrate and maintain a close cultural understanding of their subject. Analysis, diplomacy, and
report-writing are all essential skills for this job.

4. Event coordinator

An event coordinator plans, organizes, and promotes meetings and events. Companies and
organizations with international interests often require their event coordinator to be bilingual so that
they can closely manage events in different countries or with foreign guests or foreign contractors. Close
attention to detail is a must, and sociability is a distinct advantage, too.

5. Tour guide

Being a tour guide is a fun job for a bilingual person. A tour guide may plan and publicize local tours,
before making a presentation ‘on the move’ around a locality or venue. They may also write and
translate hand-out materials and deal with bookings in the visitors’ language via email or over the
phone.
The qualification requirements to be a tour guide are generally less demanding than for other jobs in
this article. This makes it a great role to gain experience and build confidence in working professionally
across multiple languages.

6. Social media analyst

Social media is at the heart of contemporary marketing practice. Tweets, memes, and adverts can be
instantly viewed around the world, making social media a valuable source of revenue and marketing
avenue for today’s companies. Just like a copywriter, the social media analyst must capture the essence
of a text and translate it in a way that both retains the freshness of the original and captures the
imagination of the target audience in their native tongue. This requires cultural awareness, marketing
savvy, SEO skills, and creative flair. In fact, so extensive is this area that even emojis are being
'translated' now! In 2017, business psychology expert Keith Broni was hired by Today Translations as the
world's first 'emoji translator'.

7. Game tester

Video game testers work with game designers to ensure accuracy in the translation of game text and
dialogue for international editions. They proofread written text and play games at length to look out for
matters of cultural sensitivity, as well as technical bugs. They may have to write reports or summaries
and to log errors and bugs in a database for the developers to address.

The present and future of translation careers

It is worth being aware that a lot of translation work in the 21st century takes place within translation
management systems, which consist of software and human processes within a carefully-managed
workflow. When vast amounts of repetitive texts or types of text require translation, a translation
management system automates elements of the process to cope with high quantities of copy while still
maintaining the quality of translation.

But as the growing demand for translation professionals shows, the human touch will always be
essential for a wide range of translating tasks. In the end, language is about communication. A translator
must comprehend and convey what comes between the lines rather than simply switch one word one
for another.