A person who wants to work as a linguist translator needs to be fluent in a second language, and many linguists study at least one foreign language in high school. Many linguists also study languages in college or take short-term courses at community colleges. Translators are frequently called upon to translate written documents, which necessitates a thorough understanding of grammar and familiarity with commonly used word processing systems.
Many linguists study foreign languages as part of their undergraduate degrees, learning how to read, write, and communicate in another language. While the majority of linguists are tasked with translating recent statements or documents, some specialize in historical records and ancient texts. Because languages change over time, people who translate documents written in ancient texts frequently enroll in postgraduate degree programs that teach students about a specific language in its ancient rather than current form. While many college students concentrate on learning a single language, some universities offer dual honors programs, which typically require students to study two closely related languages.
A person interested in becoming a linguist translator may need to enroll in short-term community college courses that teach word processing and office skills. Linguists must be able to translate materials quickly and efficiently, and some employers require translators to pass typing tests that assess an applicant’s ability to produce error-free material. Additionally, linguists working for travel agencies and transportation companies must have excellent customer service skills. As a result, someone interested in becoming a linguist translator may need to work in the hospitality industry at a resort or hotel.
Many translators are self-employed individuals who work on a contract basis for clients, while others, such as government agencies, hire full-time translators. However, most companies require both in-house and contracted linguists to have prior work experience. Some people who want to work as linguist translators can gain experience by volunteering. Many people volunteer to work for aid organizations in order to gain daily experience with foreign languages.
Exams for linguists are administered by industry associations in some countries. Many employers demand that prospective translators pass certain tests. These exams assess a candidate’s language skills as well as their ability to interpret the meaning of documents when precise translation is not possible. People who fail these tests go on to work as self-employed linguists for private clients who don’t care if their translations are perfect.