How to Become a Translator in the US: Where and What to Study

Today, commerce is global, and that means businesses have to communicate in different languages. That has made the skills of a translator quite essential. Working as a translator will not just give you a varied selection of employment opportunities; it also allows you to enjoy flexible working hours and conditions. You will not necessarily need to work under an agency as you can always find clients as a freelancer. Working as a translator will also give you access to varied and interesting work. It is worth noting that certified translations are often highly paid, and that can make your new career lucrative as well. But how can you become a translator in the USA?

Get Certified

In the USA, the state does not license or certify translators. But this does not mean that you can simply wake up one day and start working as a translator. Potential employers will be more willing to work with you if you can prove to them that you are able to translate accurately. To do this, they will need to see a certificate from reliable institutions. Some of the best institutions for translation certifications are Gallaudet University, Kent State University, and SUNY Binghamton. You should note that the courses may be general or focused on specific sectors like law and medicine. The programs vary in time and cost, and you should take this into account when selecting your course.

Take a Language Proficiency Test

Today, tech companies have developed language translation software like the Amazon Live Translation, Deepl or Termbase Translator. The problem with these products is that they don’t translate accurately and cannot interpret context accurately. To make sure you are not using these services, clients will need to see the results of your language proficiency tests. These tests will indicate that you are actually fluent in the languages you will be translating. You will even be able to take these tests online.

Keep up With the Industry

As a new translator, you may have to offer your services to charities and similar services as this will help you gain experience. Working low paying translation jobs will also give you samples that you can show future employers. As you keep working, you will also need to keep up with the industry. This is especially important if you are translating niche sectors like technology and medicine. Since new terms and trends may emerge regularly, you will have to keep educating yourself. You can also choose to diversify and start translating in different fields.

Conclusion

Working as a translator can come with lots of benefits. One of these is the fact that you don’t need to follow the traditional 9 to 5 workday. With the right certifications, you will be able to land freelance jobs regularly. To pursue a career in translation, you will need to get certification from US universities and colleges. It is important to select the course carefully as they are highly varied. You will also need to take a language proficiency test to show that you know the languages adequately. Once you start working as a translator, you should keep educating yourself as this will help you keep up with trends and new terms.