Translation Skills

Communicating for Understanding
ESSENTIAL SKILLS & CORE COMPETENCY FOR TRANSLATORS
Anyone attempting to translate will agree to the fact that professional translation
is a technical art for a successful write-up. Hence this requires a basic knowledge and
understanding of what it takes to be a competent translator.
1. Advanced Language Knowledge

You can’t translate something unless you understand it. And if you don’t understand
the text fully, you risk misinterpreting it and delivering a translation that’s not completely
accurate. Therefore, a good translator needs to understand all meaning including all the
subtle nuances implied in the text. That level of understanding requires advanced, near
native level, knowledge of your source language. Nothing less will do.
How to gain advanced knowledge
a. Study – Get a competence clearance of the target language

b. Read widely – Be an avid consumer of source language media
c. Immerse yourself in the culture of the target language
d. Keep updated with the current understanding of the target language
2. Excellent Writing Skills

To be a very good translator, you must be a very good and not merely adequate,
writer in your target language. You must a way with words and the ability to write with
flair, and you will likely need to do that across a variety of text styles such as medical,
legal, scientific, marketing, technical, etc. you must be able to showcase your excellent
writing abilities and expression.
How to improve your translator writing skills
a. Get an advanced writing course

b. Collaborate with your fellow target language translators
c. Read your translations aloud to pick up any unnatural phrasing and spend time
refining and polishing your wording
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d. Read widely to extend your vocabulary
e. Take note of new word discoveries for your reference
3. In-Depth Cultural Knowledge

Good translators have a deep understanding of both source and target cultures. A
translator must always poses some deep understanding of general cultural knowledge
like value systems and how people view the world and culture-specific aspects like
pastimes and customs. You will often need cultural knowledge to grasp the significance
or implication of text you are translating.
How to extend your cultural knowledge
a. Spend time in both target and source culture countries

b. Consume media in both languages
c. Attend cultural events
d. Research aspects of the culture you haven’t personally experienced
4. Sound Research Skills

Translators are always researching things – wording, meanings, vocab, jargon,
background information. The more efficiently you can do it the better.
How to refine your translation research skills
a. Learn the tricks to refining various searches

b. See what your fellow translators do
c. Find and bookmark your most useful reference sources
d. Ask on translator forums
5. Best Practice Translation & Review Processes

Translation is mentally challenging, and it’s dead easy for the odd shortcoming to
slip through. A little inaccuracy here, less than ideal wording there. That’s why good
translators stick like barnacles to proven translation processes.

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How to improve your translation processes
a. Do a translation course – they will drill sound processes into you

b. Be disciplined! Don’t rush your translation or be tempted to take shortcuts
c. Work with a colleague and peer-review each other’s work
d. Have a keen interest in capturing the meaning of the translated document
6. Sound Translation Judgement
Good translators make consistently good translation decisions. On vocabulary and
structures to use, when to be more literal / freer, what and how much to research, etc.
Much of this is instinctive, but with the right effort any translator can markedly improve
this basic skill.
How to improve your translation judgement
a. Study translation – choose a course that includes tons of translation practice

with constructive tutor feedback
b. Collaborate with a colleague – critique each other’s work and learn from each
other
c. Seek out a mentor – an accomplished translator willing to give feedback and
help you hone your translation skills
d. Self-critique your work. Revisit earlier translations and see how you could
improve them
e. Gain experience! Generally, the more you translate the better you’ll get –
especially if you’re receiving constructive feedback
7. Computing & Computer Assisted Translation Skills

You’ll need to have good command of commonly used office programs – Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, etc. And you should be an expert on your chosen TM software.
How to improve these skills
a. Take advantage of Microsoft’s training videos, especially those for Word

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b. Watch on-line tutorials and YouTube
c. Search for solutions to specific problems you have or areas where you’re a little
weak
d. Do a course
e. Compare notes with your colleagues for Translation Software Memory
productivity tips

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PERSONAL QUALITIES EVERY GOOD TRANSLATOR WILL HAVE
1. Attention to Detail
Without this quality, translators won’t consistently produce fully accurate, well-
worded translations
2. Good Organization
Successful translators manage their time well, have good recordkeeping and are
efficient in what they do.
3. Self-Motivation
The energy and discipline to do what you have to do, and go the extra mile when
you need to, can only come from you
4. Dependability
Clients must be able to rely on you to respond promptly to communications and
meet translation deadlines.
5. Adaptability
The quality to take non-standard translation projects and unusual client requests
in your stride. And to consider reviewer critiques and suggestions with an open mind.
6. Integrity
To play by the “rules” – maintain confidentiality, observe business and professional
ethics, respect your client/supplier relationships.
7. Curiosity
Translators who are naturally curious find all texts interesting, so enjoy every
translation project. And people who enjoy their work tend to do a better job.
8. Professional Pride
The quality that will spur you to always produce high quality work and present
yourself in a professional manner.

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Communicating for Understanding

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & CORE COMPETENCY FOR TRANSLATORS

1. Advanced Language Knowledge

How to gain advanced knowledge

a. Study – Get a competence clearance of the target language

2. Excellent Writing Skills

How to improve your translator writing skills

a. Get an advanced writing course

Zamlink Translation Solution

3. In-Depth Cultural Knowledge

How to extend your cultural knowledge

a. Spend time in both target and source culture countries

4. Sound Research Skills

How to refine your translation research skills

a. Learn the tricks to refining various searches

5. Best Practice Translation & Review Processes

Zamlink Translation Solution

a. Do a translation course – they will drill sound processes into you

How to improve your translation judgement

a. Study translation – choose a course that includes tons of translation practice

especially if you’re receiving constructive feedback

7. Computing & Computer Assisted Translation Skills

How to improve these skills

a. Take advantage of Microsoft’s training videos, especially those for Word

Zamlink Translation Solution

Zamlink Translation Solution

Zamlink Translation Solution

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