Working for a translation company I often receive calls from people who were brought up with two languages at home. How do I become a translator they ask? The sad matter of the fact is that as lucky as you are to be bilingual it is not purely the ability to speak two or more languages that will set you up to be a full time translator. One essential quality, which is often neglected, is the fact that you need to be able to write well, have a fluency of style as if you were the author of the text yourself. A translation, regardless of whether it is a dry financial text or a literary masterpiece, will need to read naturally so that the reader will not recognise it as a translated text.

So what are the options if you are considering translation as a career? Becoming an in-house translator, someone working either in a translation department of a large corporation or specifically for a translation company, may seem like the most obvious choice. However, these jobs are hard to come by. Which leads us to the profession of a freelance translator: on the surface this seems like a fairly straight forward option- sitting at your desk tapping away and working as and when you like. Yet the reality can, frequently, be a completely different story…

The freelance translator job market is highly competitive. This is why being able to speak several languages is simply not enough. There are different routes into being a freelancer in the translation industry. Many are professionals who already have a significant background working in other areas, such as law or finance. A lawyer who is also fluent in French, and who has a thorough knowledge of their trade and the terminology involved, will be able to write a much more convincing and accurate translation than someone who has to research the vocabulary needed. Translation could also be a first career choice for a young person straight out of studying. Whichever way it is, it’s not just a case of setting up in your living room and working the hours you choose in your pyjamas.

First of all, you need to set yourself up as a sole trader, you will need to keep track of everything you earn and submit your own tax returns- there is nobody to conveniently work it out for you! Liability insurance, extra software/hardware and research materials are just a few of the outgoings and investments you will have to consider. Once set up in your home office you’re ready to go! But, as mentioned previously, the job market is satiated in a lot of the common language combinations. Working for the recruitment of freelance translators, I can vouch for the number of speculative applications received on a daily basis for translation work. Getting your foot in the door and on the list of ‘go to’ translators is no easy feat. More often than not it is a case of being in the right place at the right time, but once you do get that crucial first opportunity if you show that you are efficient, reliable and communicative, are prepared to work hard and can produce accurate translation, it is likely you will work your way up the favourites list.

One last piece of advice, applying to be a freelancer to a translation company is like applying for any other job; make sure your CV and covering letter are succinct and relevant. Considering the nature of translation it is surprising the number of emails and letters that arrive with glaring mistakes in spelling and grammar- I can assure you the minute these are spotted the application will head straight for the bin, virtual or otherwise.

It is true that a career in translation can be very rewarding and can be made to fit conveniently around your home life if you choose to go down the freelance route. Nevertheless, starting out can be extremely trying, in fact establishing yourself and gaining a regular and stable income may take a few years. Yet, there is always room for quality work especially in the recovering current economic climate. So if you have the skills and dedication do your research and go for it!