Translator (profession). Description of the profession. Who is a translator

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Translator is a profession that has been very prestigious and in demand since ancient times. Mentions of the very first representatives of this speci alty date back to Ancient Egypt. Even then, translators were its honorary residents. Their services were especially in demand in Ancient Greece, which was in close contact with the states of the East. If not for their knowledge of languages, then, perhaps, some books of the Bible did not reach our time. After all, almost the entire Old Testament has been preserved exclusively in Greek translation. In ancient Russia, translations were carried out by interpreter monks, who were considered quite educated people. Now the demand for the services of translators is quite high, and knowledge of a foreign language is the key to rapid career growth and high salaries. But every profession has its downside. So, let's talk about the advantages and disadvantages of this speci alty and talk about the main areas of activity.

Pros of being an interpreter

Currently about 70%vacancies in the labor market require the applicant to know a foreign language, at least with a dictionary. What can we say about translators! A linguist-translator who graduated from a university must be fluent in two foreign languages (this is a minimum). According to the rector of one of the capital's language universities, 95% of its graduates are in demand. Moreover, many make an excellent career in government structures. The other 5% are graduates and graduate students who continued their education abroad, as well as girls who went on maternity leave.

In general, there are now many areas where a translator (from Russian into English, etc.) can realize himself. This is the field of advertising, and journalism, and PR, and the tourism business. And, of course, a translation agency. There is also a high demand for the services of these specialists in large publishing houses. This is not surprising, because for 5 years of study, in addition to linguistic, the translator also receives a philological education.

Rainy prospects are opening up in the business sector. A manager with knowledge of languages is valued much higher. In addition, perfect knowledge of the language is required to pass the competition in a foreign company. Salaries in such firms are very high. Well, as a bonus, there is the provision of the best medical care and a significant social package.

Cons of the translator profession

Let's start with the fact that obtaining a linguistic education is not an easy task. 30 people per place - such is the competition for a faculty in a prestigious university. In addition, both admission and training require considerable financial resources. The secondary school does not provide the necessary level of knowledge, so parents have to hire a tutor for their children. And this is about 10-15 dollars per hour. University teachers and professors take 4-5 times more. To gain a good language base for admission to a university, you need to study for two years at least a couple of times a week. Not all parents can afford this luxury.

The most difficult exam at the Faculty of Foreign Languages of Moscow State University. In addition to oral and written exams, you must pass an audition. This is only possible for applicants who have communicated with native speakers in the respective country. All of this also requires money. Alternatively, you can immediately go to paid training, the prices for which vary from $ 1,500 to $ 5,000 (depending on the faculty). But even in order to get into paid education, you need to score the required number of points.

The easiest way to master the speci alty "translator" (the history of the profession was briefly mentioned at the beginning of the article) is to study at a paid university. This way you can save both nerves and money. But very few employers recognize diplomas from commercial institutions. Solid companies need solid diplomas.

Another minus concerns directly professional activity after graduation. There are low-quality translation agencies that seriously compete with highly qualified employees. Only a professional can check the "knowledge" of laymen, but not every customer has it. Pseudo-translators charge small fees for their services.money. As a result, the painstaking and intellectual work of true professionals is greatly reduced in price.

Speci alties

A modern translator is a profession that includes such speci alties as:

• intercultural communication and linguistics;
• translation studies and translation;
• method of teaching languages and cultures;
• foreign language.

Intercultural communication and linguistics

Quite a broad specialization. Suitable for applicants who plan to study foreign languages, but are not yet sure of the desire to receive the speci alty "translator". A profession in English obliges anyone who masters this speci alty to speak English.

A linguist is a person who studies the structure of a language and its characteristic features. This speci alty is very close to the profession of a philologist, who learns the factors that determine the development and formation of a language: customs, traditions, literature of the native people.

Very often linguists are engaged in research activities and science. They are also in demand in companies developing linguistic software (speech recognition programs, automatic translation, text processing). Many representatives of this profession create various computer dictionaries, reference books, encyclopedias and Internet sites.

Translation studies and translation

Here the emphasis is on the methodology and technique of translation. Students will be taught technical, artistic, oral,consecutive interpreting, the work of a simultaneous interpreter, etc. It is difficult to talk about the types of interpreting within one article, so we can only say that specialists in this area are in great demand. And the highest salaries are received either by highly specialized workers or highly qualified translators.

Methods of teaching languages and cultures

Qualification received - teacher, linguist. This is an option for those who have not yet decided on their future job.

In the curriculum, the history and traditions of the native country are studied in detail, as well as linguistic features, pronunciation options and methodology. With the acquired amount of knowledge, you can stay to teach at the institute or get a job at any other university.

Cultural exposure and language training are the two areas in which a translator is trained. The profession of this profile also has disadvantages: a graduate learns only one language. The second one can also be studied, but already on a paid basis.

Foreign language

This speci alty is available in all pedagogical universities. A graduate receives the qualification not of a "translator" (from Russian into English and vice versa), but of a "teacher". Suitable for future high school teachers. The student training program includes: developmental and child psychology, pedagogy and teaching methods. Upon graduation, the student will know two languages. But you need to understand that education is one thing, and vocation is quite another. And, as statistics show, 90% of graduates do not go to school, andthere is still a shortage of teachers.

Conclusion

So, we found out that a translator is a profession in demand, and if you decide to master it, then do not give up on your goal. This speci alty will always feed you, regardless of the economic situation in the country. However, current trends show that in order to earn not only a living, you should apply your knowledge of a foreign language in other professions (to become a journalist, political scientist, economist, lawyer).