Translation is a work that requires a set of skills and technical knowledge. Even when it sounds somewhat obvious, being good at translation is a must. This implies having not only the know-how, but also the experience. Indeed, some consider translation has the longest apprenticeship of any profession. There is much more to translation than simply typing in a foreign language and using one or two translation memory tools; thus, it requires dedication and concentration.

For many translation agencies or companies in the industry (better known as language service providers), the translation process for a client involves several stages that freelance translators are most of the time not aware of. A professional translation service typically requires both editing and proofreading. These are two separate stages that are essential and should take place before concluding that the document is ready to be delivered. This processes are so important they might establish a line between a translated document and a well translated document. But, what is the line that separates a translator from a good translator?

More relevant characteristics

First of all, a good translator knows the importance of source language skills. You should be able to understand the majority of texts without having to rely on a dictionary, to the standard of an educated native-speaker. Even though you do not have to be able to write to the same standard of one, especially in terms of grammar (which few non-natives will ever fully master) you should be able to understand concepts in both general and specific way as well as any native.

Moreover, a good translator will recognize that the use of dictionaries and other resources to find the precise words to express the concepts and ideas in the target language is an important aid. And just like any aid, those tools are there to assist only, and cannot do the work.

Second, a good translator is passionate about their work and languages in general. Just like with any other job, the passion and dedication is what differentiates the professionals. Indeed, it is clear to know when someone just wants to finish a task and when someone is interested in doing their best to have the best output possible.

Having passion for the job will be translated into doing active research to stay up to date in trends and vocabulary, reading in order to gain more knowledge and following the steps of translation in an adequate way.

In addition, besides having pure linguistic skills, you should also be familiar with how the language is currently used. This includes commonly used slangs, dialects, and new words borrowed from other languages (if this is the case.)

The mere goal behind the translator’s work is to communicate. Therefore, a translator should be able to communicate precisely and accurately. This requires a vast vocabulary and deep knowledge of rules and grammar. Reading is vital. A good translator will read to nourish its mind and gain ideas of the sort of text they want to create.  This will also allow them to spot when the translation is ‘too literal’ or when to replace a certain by synonym that may fit better in the context.

The role of a translator is to transfer information and, as a specialist in languages, they have to make sure the information stays true to the original document and its purpose.

Personal qualities

Another relevant characteristic of a good translator is its professionalism. A good translator must not only do the job well, he should also be professional. This means working according to deadlines and expectations. Also, they will keep in mind there should be an appropriate time for reviews, follow ups and editions if needed. Having a calendar and knowing how to organize themselves is a must.

A good translator will also be a good professional with values such as responsibility and honesty. Showing they are credible and only accept assignments, they are truly a good fit for or they are sure they will finish on time. It is better for a translator to decline a project if they are not fully comfortable with it or do not have enough time. A rushed project will most likely not have guarantee of highest quality.

Besides these characteristics, a good translator is a person who pays attention to details, since it is part of the elements that will ensure a high quality process. For instance, things like punctuation, formatting or even numbers require good attention to make sure everything is all right.

Translators that make mistakes in some of these areas will stand out but in a bad way, which will affect their reputation and perhaps lead to the exclusion from future projects if the mistakes happen frequently.

On the side of the spectrum, translators who catch inconsistencies in the file provided stand out in a positive way. Catching mismatched dates or misspellings gathers them a good reputation among other professionals and companies.

Keeping updated

Specialization is also an important element for translation since there are many projects that require specialized knowledge that a general translator cannot provide. Choosing a field allows a translator to nurture himself or herself with technical vocabulary or grammar related to that specific area. The wide range of words and expressions in a language are indeed be too vast to master, thus, it is suggested that translators choose their field.

Finally, a good translator will use all the reference materials, glossaries, terminology databases and style guides they are provided. If the client has taken the time to create a database or glossary, it means they want to provide the best sources possible. Being responsible is also caring for the material and using it wisely.