If you want to become an English to Spanish translator, you need to be fluent in English and Spanish both. If any of these languages is your mother tongue, you will only have to learn one more language to become a professional translator. However, if none of these is your mother tongue, you will have to become proficient in both these languages to become a translator. In addition to your language skills, you also need to be intellectually curious to excel in this field. You need advanced-level skills to become a successful translator.
Learning more about the industry
You would be glad to know that the language services industry is quite huge. The global revenue of the language industry stood at more than $43 billion in the year 2017. This figure is expected to reach $47.5 billion by the end of 2021. It is easy to see from these figures that the industry is steadily growing. So, people looking to become English to Spanish translators wouldn’t have to worry about their job prospects. As translators are involved in converting written text from one language to another, it is highly unlikely that the pandemic would impact their employment opportunities. If it would have been an interpreter, then the opportunities would have taken a hit in the current situation.
There are more than 3,000 language service providers or LSPs in the US and another 55,000 translators and interpreters providing language-related services across industries. So you can expect high competition within the industry. If you thought that it will be all smooth sailing after you learn Spanish, you need to understand that it is not easy. You need to be better than your fellow English to Spanish translators to stand any chance of doing well. In addition to your fluency in the foreign language, you also need to be interested in the culture to become a translator.
Before discussing the things you need to do to become English to Spanish translator or vice-versa, let us first discuss what a Spanish translator is.
What is a Spanish translator?
To begin with, a Spanish translator requires an advanced level fluency in both English and Spanish. This proficiency can be acquired through a bachelor’s program in Spanish or dedicating themselves to learning the language online through certifications. One of the main responsibilities of Spanish translators is to convert written text from English to Spanish and vice-versa. They need to keep an eye on while translating a piece of written work because the information, meaning, and style of the original piece should remain intact. This is why, people offer high pay-outs to hire translators. They want professional accuracy in the translated works. Spanish translators typically work electronically. While language tools can help with some translations, most of the time the translations are incorrect and do not meet the intent. A human translator, on the other hand, will have knowledge about nuances, phrases and cultural intent, ensuring a perfect translation.
Here are a few things you need to do to become English to Spanish translator:
- Certification: The most important thing to do to become the preferred choice of people looking for English to Spanish translators is to get a certification. It makes you more credible than others in your industry. It also lets people know that you have the required skills to perform a translation job in a professional manner.
- Experience: You also need to have experience in the field to make people consider you over your competitors. So, if you are starting as a Spanish translator, you might have to do internships or work jobs that don’t pay you much. But this is how you will climb the ladder. Experience helps you build a portfolio of your translation work, which you can show to your potential clients.
- Market your skills: Getting certified and gaining experience will only take you so far. It is essential to market yourself to the right people. Reaching out to government agencies, law firms, hospitals, or language agencies. Most English to Spanish translators work as freelancers, so you need to join a community. You can also get in touch with online platforms that bring employers and freelancers together. This will help you find translation gigs much more quickly.
The job of English to Spanish translators or any other translator is both rewarding and satisfactory. In addition to your pay, your career as a translator allows you to understand different cultures and traditions, appreciate the literary works of different languages, and bridge the communication gaps that exist due to language differences.