"Translator / Interpreter" occupation – myths and truths"Translator" occupation is one of the most popular occupations in the world. We can see interpreters on the television and on any international meeting, or we can read translators' texts. These people are always in the background thus many of us have the wrong idea about their job.
You would like to work as a translator/interpreter? Before you make a final decision we suggest that you familiarize yourself with a few myths about their job.
- Myth 1: Every person who speaks a foreign language can work as a translator / interpreter
Every person with an average level of fluency in a foreign language is able to communicate on a daily level – to order dinner, to arrange a meeting with a client, etc. But working with a large volume of a technical or other specialized material requires an excellent knowledge of the subject one is working with. In order for the translator/interpreter to produce a good translation/interpretation, the translator/interpreter needs to understand the meaning of the original very well, and this can be done only by a professional who is familiar with the special terminology.
- Myth 2: The demand for translators at the labour market is declining
Indeed, the number of people speaking a foreign language is increasingly frowning. But at the same time the contacts of companies, organizations and individuals with international companies as well as the volume of documents are continuously growing. Communication between the states of the European Union is performed in several languages which necessitates the interpretation and translation of a large volume of information. The trend is for the demand of professional translators and interpreters to grow.
- Myth 3: The nature of this profession has not changed for many years
The entering of computers in people's lives has had effect on the way translators work. Electronic dictionaries and translation tools have become a useful assistant in addition to the volumes of dictionaries on the shelves. According to specialists' evaluation, the use of modern software has increased translators' productivity with 40 %.
