Top Translation Tips for Beginners
To be a professional translator is not only about transferring words and phrases from one language into another, but it is about deciphering the messages and concepts of the source language and incoding it into target one. This act is quite interesting if it is accompanied with hardworking, passion and consistency.
Here are some tips, which I quoted from some related websites, to guide newly beginners and translators who want to understand main principles of this distinguished career, and obtain its main skills professionally.
Translation Tips for Beginners
Translation plays a crucial role in most sectors as most translations will be needed for official purposes. That’s why, as a translator, you need to be accurate with your translations if you want to provide high-quality translation services.
If you are a beginner who is starting their career as a translator, here are a few tips that you can follow to reach your goal of being an expert translator:
1)Create a Glossary List
One of the most efficient habits to follow the busy activities related to translation is that of data organizing. So, whether it is just one word you picked up or a two-hour session spent in class, all information, when stored neatly and labelled perfectly, will be of use throughout your journey as a translator. Eventually, you can create your own data base in translation.
2) Learn in the Second (target)Language
This is an important step in becoming an expert translator. When you spend time reading and writing in your second language, you start to understand the essence of the language.
The more you spend time with your second language, the faster you pick up your language skills.
You must also put special emphasis on the process of reading itself. Reading regularly in your second language helps you gain a new perspective on how people communicate and why people choose specific words to communicate.
3) Understand the Different Translations
A common exercise adopted by many translators, even the professional ones, is comparing different translations. This process can be done with a non-fiction book, a literary novel, or any other kind of book. The impact of this exercise is immense. While the meaning of the sentence may be the same, the distinction in words used by the two authors will help you understand the different ways in which a similar sentiment can be expressed. This will also help you polish your own method.
4) Try to Gain Work Experience
Experience in your field is always beneficial, both in terms of a resume and in terms of personal development.
If you are unable to receive any work, there are still ways to utilise your skills practically.
For example, you could volunteer to translate at events for free, such as in NGOs or any organisation that invites volunteers. If you’re still a college student, your university could provide you with a job. At the end of the day, any task that brings you more experience in the real, practical world of your translation skills is the most useful.
5) But Do Not Settle for Any Random Job
The worst thing you can do is rush the job process by taking on a job that is not right for you. Finding the wrong job may not only hamper your personal growth, but may also turn you away from your occupation for a while. Knowing exactly what position you’d like to be working in helps narrow down the search.
6) Understand and Appreciate the Culture
Translation is not limited to the words themselves, but what they represent. Behind every word there is a meaning filled with years of history and events. It is important to acknowledge the culture behind the language and to respect it. Finding the right balance between the
two languages involved without disrupting either one is the main challenge.
7)Work Hard
It is the only trusted way of getting better at your work.
8) Ask the Right Questions
Make a habit of asking genuinely insightful sharp questions. This is a skill that will help you on and off the job.
Asking the right questions not only gives you the most efficient answer, but also saves you the time and energy.
9) Take Regular Breaks
This piece of advice is important. Language is a very taxing subject, and lack of rest not only means a dull headspace and low retention, but an inability to learn anything new.
In case it is too difficult for you to “turn off”, a common suggestion is to read lower-level stories and essays in the language you’re learning. This is so that you are in touch with the language, but don’t have to stress out much.
10) Always Read
To ensure that the translations are updated, meaningful, and accurate, have a habit of reading. Have a dictionary with you and make it your best friend. As much as possible, always read foreign languages to improve your vocabulary skills. Reading can broaden your horizons in different aspects of translations.
11) Practice your Native Language
They say, “practice makes perfect”. Before learning other languages, practice and make your native language perfect. It is always good to become an expert in your own language before moving forward.
12) Dealing With Feedback and Criticism
The job of a translator can be tricky, in that multiple people can interpret the same set of words differently. This may especially happen if you’re just starting out, your work will be negated or be intensely scrutinized by those of senior positions. Very often, your translation may be deemed as incorrect, while you might’ve been sure about your work’s accuracy.
This also means you must learwan to accept constructive criticism of your work and keep getting better.
All of the abovementioned tips are great but they will be meaningless unless you do it with passion.
Even though, a translator is obligated to limited and monotonous style in some types of translation, as the sworn, medical or even when translating the instruction manual of a brand new commodity, but still the main idea of passion is effective and contagious. If your passion shows in your writing, everyone will be able to see it.
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