Becoming a Braille translator requires familiarity with Braille and other writing systems, as well as the ability to convey visual information to blind readers. Training is available through schools and companies, with salary options varying for freelancers and employees.
To become a Braille translator, it is necessary to become familiar with Braille and one or more other writing systems, so that you can freely translate back and forth. Braille translation is used for everything from producing accessible textbooks for members of the blind community to developing signage for blind people so they can interact with ATMs and other devices. While automatic Braille translation is available, for some tasks it is necessary to use a human translator.
As with translating between other writing systems and languages, braille translation is more than creating a one-to-one correspondence between two texts. The translator must also think about issues such as syntax, what is being communicated and how to convey concepts across barriers. An important aspect of the job involves describing visual elements; an image makes no sense to a blind reader, and a person who wants to become a braille translator needs to be able to transform purely visual information, such as graphics, into a form accessible to blind people.
Someone wanting to become a Braille translator will need to attend a school where Braille is taught. Some schools specifically offer Braille translation classes, teaching people how to smoothly translate between Braille and other writing systems. These classes can include training on devices used to produce Braille documents, as well as an opportunity to work with machine translators designed to do things like convert computer documents into Braille formats.
With Braille training, a person who wants to become a Braille translator can work for a company that produces Braille materials. Generally, the translator starts with small projects under supervision and gradually acquires more skills, eventually taking on larger projects. Some people choose to specialize in specific topics, such as translating scientific research, informational pamphlets for blind patients, and interpreting visual materials such as graphs and figures. Others may work with a wide variety of printed materials.
Salary options for a person wanting to become a Braille translator vary. Freelancers can control the amount of work they receive and set their own rates, but they also don’t enjoy a lot of job security, especially in the early stages of freelance work when they aren’t well known. People who work for others may earn less, but they will have a steady supply of work and be able to gain benefits through their employers. People with special skill sets may be able to command more for their services.
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