Interpreter and translator essential career information:
- 2011 median pay: $45,430
- 2011, number of jobs: 50,320
- Employment growth forecast, 2010-2020: 42 percent
- Entry-level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Interpreters and translators; what they do:
The increasingly multicultural business world makes an interpreter or translator’s ability to communicate fluently in more than one language an extremely sought-after skill. Interpreters and translators work with spoken and written language, and some also work with sign language.
An Interpreter career and a translator career involve communicating words, ideas, and concepts from one language to another as directly and accurately as possible. Their work can sometimes be quite difficult, due to culture having a large influence on and some cultures have ideas, concepts and words that others do not have equivalents to. Interpreters and translators must also be conscientious about preserving the tone and style of words when conveying them between languages.
An interpreter career involves converting spoken words from one language to another, whereas a translator career involves converting written words from one language to another. A sign language interpreter career involves converting spoken words to a sign language. Many interpreters are also translators.
Interpreters may either interpret simultaneously as someone is speaking or signing, or they may interpret consecutively, meaning they take notes on a speech or writing after it is already done.
Many translators and interpreters have an occupational specialty, such as health or medical interpreters and translators, legal or judiciary interpreters and translators, literary translators, localization translators, sign language interpreters, guide or escort interpreters and conference interpreters.
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Interpreters and translators job titles:
- Language Interpreter
- Sign Language Interpreter
- Medical Interpreter
- Court Interpreter
- Conference Interpreter
- Guide Interpreter
- Literary Translator
- Localization Translator
Interpreters and Translators Education, Certification and License Requirements
An interpreter career or a translator career may begin with a bachelor’s degree in a specific language, as well as the proven ability to speak and writer English fluently. Some interpreters and translators major in fields other than a language, which may provide a natural area of expertise for them to later translate in.
Many interpreters and translators who work in technical areas, such as localization, engineering, or finance, obtain a master’s degree.
Interpreters and translators also sometimes complete specific on-the-job training upon starting a new job. Formal programs for interpreting and translating exist at some colleges and universities, as well as through non-university training programs, conferences, and courses.
Work experience is vital for those interested in an interpreter career or a translator career, thus volunteer work or internships are highly recommended.
Interpreter and translator programs cover subjects such as:
- Ethics of interpretation
- Writing
- Editing
- Grammar
- Linguistics
- Conversation
- English
- Communication
- Culture
- History
Although there is no universal certification required for people interested in an interpreter career or a translator career, a variety of tests demonstrating proficiency are available. Some organizations offering certifications for interpreters and translators include the American Translators Association, the National Association of the Deaf, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), the U.S. Department of State, the International Association of Conference Interpreters, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters, and the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters.
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Career Advancement Opportunities
Interpreters and translators advance in their career to more difficult or prestigious assignments after obtaining significant work experience. They may also advance in their career through obtaining certification, earning editorial responsibility, or starting their own business.
Interpreters and Translators Job Outlook
Forecast: 42 percent employment growth from 2010 to 2020 for interpreters and translators, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
As the U.S. population continues growing and diversifying, a variety of languages are spoken by more and more of the population, increasing the demand for interpreters and translators. The most common rising languages in the U.S. in need of interpreting and translating are French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic.
Interpreters and translators obtain work in the business sector and in the military.
An increase in the use of video relay services increases the demand for American Sign Language interpreters.
Interpreters and Translators Salary
- 2011 median annual wage: $45,430
- 2011, workers at the 75th percentile annual wage: $64,360
- 2011, workers at the 25% percentile annual wage: $32,630
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Interpreters and Translators Major Employers
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
- State, local, and private educational services
- Health care and social assistance services
- Government
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