Translation qualifications vary depending on the industry and level of service required. Legal and medical translators may need subject knowledge, while technical translators require expertise in specific fields. Certification may be required for government or international work, and linguistics courses can be helpful. Testing may be necessary in some fields, such as legal translation. Medical translators typically require a medical education. Translation work can also be found in media and business settings.
Translation qualifications vary, depending on the level of service provided and the industry in need of translation. Qualifications for a legal or medical translator may require a background in the subject to help ensure accuracy. Translation qualifications in a technical field often require knowledge of terminology used in a specific field, such as physics or engineering. Basic knowledge includes competence in each language and an understanding of cultural nuances that can affect the translation of written documents.
Certification as a translator may be required to work for government agencies or international organizations that provide translation. Some translators are trained in linguistics, which is the study of languages. These courses teach how the main language is acquired and how people learn a foreign language. They can include phonetics, word orientation, and cultural differences in word usage.
Translation qualifications in some fields may require passing a test to show writing skills in both languages. The court system typically includes tests for translators dealing with legal terms where the outcome could affect a defendant’s freedom. These translators can interpret court documents or recorded witness statements or translate court proceedings as they occur.
Often called interpreters, oral speech translators can repeat what the witness says in another language. Legal translators must deal with the stress of long hours of repeating foreign language conversations in a courtroom environment. They must be able to quickly interpret and translate information as it is spoken.
Working as a translator in the medical field can include working in a research center and converting scientific publications into another language. Translation qualifications for these jobs typically require a medical education and an understanding of technical terminology. These translators usually receive certification and may have degrees in medicine or science.
Translation jobs can also include work for newspapers, magazines or the film industry. Many publications translate material into one or more foreign languages through translators. Filmmakers may need to translate scripts before distributing films in foreign countries.
Translation qualifications in the business world often depend on the size of the company and the scope of services. International companies may need a translator for written documents, contracts or translation services at conferences and business meetings. Translators in meetings often repeat conversations in one or more languages after each person speaks. Some large companies use headphones to visit business customers, with the translator repeating the dialogue.
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