A book translator, also known as a literary translator, converts a book’s original language into a different language. Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry are the most common types of books she translates. She could work as a freelancer, independent contractor, or as a literary translator’s employee.
The goal of literary translation is to allow people from different languages and cultures to share literature, ideas, points of view, and concepts. There are no restrictions or limitations on which languages require translation. Almost every culture and country on the planet has authors whose works are in high demand those who do not read or speak the language in which they were written.
A book translator’s job is widely regarded as one of the most difficult in the publishing industry. When translating verbal communications, an interpreter has the advantage of having the person she is translating for present and able to confirm the accuracy of her interpretations. A literary translator, on the other hand, frequently works in a remote location far from the author. The author of classic works is frequently deceased.
The tone of the work can easily be lost or misconstrued one or a few misinterpreted words or phrases, making translating written words a much more difficult task than translating spoken words. A book translator’s exact word-for-word interpretation of the original work is rarely an accurate replication of the author’s original work. Many literal translations of words or phrases completely miss the author’s intended message.
A successful book translator is usually required to have a thorough understanding of both the source and target languages of the literary work. The source language is the original language in which the work was written. The term “target language” refers to the language in which the book will be translated. Understanding the original book’s intended literary tone is just as important to the translation as understanding the words themselves.
Before applying her language expertise to book translation, literary translators frequently practice on smaller projects. Import and export companies frequently need competent translators who are fluent in a variety of languages to assist them with their operations. Government agencies are another popular place for literary translators to improve their skills. For aspiring book translators, copy editing foreign language text is also a popular option.
Depending on the project, a book translator’s educational requirements differ. She must be able to communicate in at least two languages. A literature degree is frequently preferred because it provides a solid educational foundation in literary interpretation. The ability to write creatively is generally regarded as a plus for candidates for this position.