What is a translator?
A translator renders written content in another language while preserving meaning, purpose and register. Live interpreting has partly different demands.
Translator: duties and training
1. Scope and core duties A translator researches audience and terminology, resolves ambiguities and adapts register. Legal, medical, technical and literary texts require different expertise. 2. Daily work and tools Drafts are checked for language and facts, versions compared and final copy reviewed. Glossaries and translation tools help, but machine output needs verification. 3. Education and entry Translation studies is one route, alongside language and domain expertise. Sworn or certified work requires checking current local authorization.
Work, responsibility and career
4. Ethics, safety and responsibility Confidential documents need protection; meaning must not be silently added or omitted. Copyright and source terms affect delivery. 5. Work settings and development Publishing, localization, in-house and freelance work offer options. Terminology and editing skills strengthen a specialty.