From ProZ.com Wiki

Overview

There are several reasons why someone would decide to become a translator or an interpreter. The most common of these might be:

1. the joy of speaking and learning languages and the skills to do it properly.
2. the knowledge of more than one language that some people acquire by spending time in more than one country with different speaking languages - or in one with two or more speaking languages -, or else by having been raised by parents with different native languages; and
3. the knowledge of more than one language combined with an economic need.
4. researching and learning new things in a daily basis.

Sufficient competence can also be gained from studying and reading - translation is, after all, essentially concerned with the written word. Several universities offer appropriate translation courses and degrees on translation and related linguistic fields.

Many people also have studied a second (or third) language since childhood and might become almost bilingual.

In any case, deciding upon translation as a profession is not an easy step. It is of utmost importance to master the blend of skills and craft required to be a professional translator.

Deciding upon translation as a profession

Though having knowledge of two or more languages may be enough reason to decide upon translation as a profession, this decision must be made carefully. There is more to translation than just knowing more than one language and being able to communicate the meaning of a source-language text through an equivalent target-language text. In other words, there is more to translation than meets the eye.

Fidelity, transparency, faithfulness, equivalence, and accuracy are concepts that have been associated with the art of translation since long ago and a full understanding of translation will imply a knowledge of these concepts.

A good knowledge of one's own native language and its nuances (formal and informal speaking & writing, grammar, synonyms, etc.) is of utmost importance.

Read more about the step of deciding upon translation as a profession

Translation education

Most translators begin their journey by taking a translation course. There are numerous educational institutions that offer these courses and, though studying translation is not an exclusive requirement, acquiring translation knowledge may favor professional development in the long run.

Many professionals venture into translation after gaining post-secondary academic qualifications in the arts or sciences, including language studies.

Other translators, on the other hand, may take practice and voluntary translation work as their school. Translating specialized content found on the web or elsewhere, or offering translation services for free, may be other strategies for acquiring not only translation skills but also experience.

Read more about acquiring translation knowledge.

Specializing

While some translators acquire specialist knowledge after their linguistic training, others only move into translation after working in a specialist field.

In the translation market there are as many fields as translators would like to specialize in. Picking one or two fields of specialization should not be a difficult task then.

For translators looking for jobs online, it is particularly important to market themselves as specialists. Why? Because online competition can be steep. Becoming a specialist helps translators to stand out from the crowd, provided specialization is effectively and efficiently advertised.

Some of the larger specialties are legal, medical, technical, marketing, and business. Inside each of these specialties there are sub-specialties. A medical translator could specialize in veterinary or dental while a marketing translator could specialize in tourism. This is particularly true of technical translation where a translator who specializes in aeronautics may not be up to date on woodworking terminology. Nonetheless, even a highly specialized translator will need to have a broad base of knowledge. A legal document involving an agreement between IT companies can require understanding of terms involving the development and sale of software. A medical document could involve legal disclaimers.

Read more about specializing.

Acquiring translation-related tools knowledge

There are several tools a professional translator cannot do without. Making sure these tools are readily available to them and learning how to use them when the time comes are two things translators must do before offering their services.

Computer skills is a must. Mastering of word processors (doc, pdf, xls files) is really required nowadays.

For some translators, CAT tools and translation software are probably translators' best friends. They consider that these tools help professional translators save time and that most clients require the use of specific tools for their projects. This is not a requirement though. Many experienced and successful translators wouldn't use CAT tools. They consider CAT tools might be useful for mechanics/engineering manuals and related materials where repetition of whole sentences is very common. But these tools may not be useful in creative translation, where the same word or term may have a different meaning according to the context. Or when for the native ear a synonym might be required to give the proper nuance instead of the same word/term over and over again.

Read more about computer tools for translators.

Positioning

Before even trying to meet new clients, translators must define the services they will offer. These services may include translation, editing, proofreading, interpreting, website localization, software localization, voiceover or dubbing, subtitling or transcription, among others.

Together with services, translators must also choose the fields in which they will offer these services. It is important to be aware that translation is not the only service a language professional may offer and that it is possible for a professional translator to offer different services in different fields.

Once services and fields have been defined, translators must set rates, including surcharges, discounts and minimum charges. Rates will depend on the translator's desired income, productivity, the amount of vacation taken and other factors.

Finally, other terms and conditions such as the productivity level reached and tax practices that will be adopted must also be nailed out.

Read more about defining your translation or language services.

Networking

Networking should not be confused with only searching for and meeting clients. Networking can also imply meeting other fellow translators that may eventually be in need of colleagues to work on bigger projects.

Establishing relationships with potential clients and other translators will always prove to be mutually beneficial. Networking gives translators the chance to exchange experiences, ideas, and support, not to mention that it is also another source of jobs.

Read more about networking.

Promoting translation services

Professional marketing may take different shapes and use different resources. And, when done right, promotion can be a very effective strategy to attract potential clients.

Translators can --and should-- take advantage of the many online resources available nowadays to market themselves. Social networks, translators portals, website hosting services, e-mail, live chat, etc. are tools a translator must know and use on a daily basis if they want to reach a bigger market.

Meeting clients

Meeting and finding new clients is not as easy as it may sound. A translator must never wait for a potential client to knock on their door with an urgent project in one hand and a project order in the other. Professional translators will first make sure their services are known and give potential clients an easy way to find them.

Sometimes, building a strong resume or creating an account in a translators website is not enough and other strategies such as creating an attractive and easy-to-find website or becoming an active member of well-known translators organizations may also need to be implemented. Participating actively in online translators communities, blogs, forums can lead to working relationships as well.

Acquiring translation market knowledge

Even before doing business, translators must be aware of the different aspects of the translation industry. Here is where translators learn about professional guidelines and translation market terms and conditions.

Local and online markets can be very different and translators must be well aware of what is going on in each of them to be able to adjust their own terms and conditions. Rates, tax practices and even services may vary from country to country. Hence, translators should have a business plan that is easy to adjust and that works in a market that may take different forms.

Acquiring experience

Each and every project taken on should represent for the translator an opportunity to gain experience on a given field or service. When starting as a translator, saying "no" to a project means denying the possibility of learning more about something. This does not mean, of course, that translators must take on projects they know they cannot handle but that the fear of a field one is not very familiar with should have no room in translation.

Any project, no matter how short or tiny it is, represents an opportunity to acquire knowledge of a field and of other translation business practices. There is always a client behind a project and it is this client the one that gives translators the chance to gain experience.

Expanding list of clients

All professional translators wishing to keep regular clients while meeting new ones should expand in each and every field mentioned above. Training, being up-to-date with translation software, networking, promotion, re-adjusting to translation market changes and gaining more experience should not only help translators maintain a good position in the market but also give them the chance to keep moving forward.

There is no such thing as enough experience or enough knowledge in the translation business. Translators must try to keep on top of new developments in the translation industry and make sure they offer what today's clients need.

"Getting started in translation" video

Watch this short video describing the process of becoming a professional translator and the tools and opportunities available at ProZ.com to pursue translation as a career.