What You'll Do

  • Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
  • Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
  • Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
  • Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials.
  • Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
  • Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.
  • Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
  • Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
  • Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.
  • Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.

Essential Skills

Speaking 4.12/5
Active Listening 4.0/5
Reading Comprehension 3.88/5
Writing 3.75/5
Critical Thinking 3.62/5
Monitoring 3.62/5
Active Learning 3.12/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.12/5
Service Orientation 3.12/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.12/5
Learning Strategies 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Artist: Creating original work and expressing ideas feels natural.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.

Common styles

Integrity, Attention to Detail, Dependability, Independence, Cooperation

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Expression 4.25/5
Oral Comprehension 4.12/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Speech Recognition 3.88/5
Speech Clarity 3.88/5
Information Ordering 3.75/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.62/5

Technologies & Tools

AceTools.biz Ace Translator Adapt It AmoK Translator Ashkon Translation Pad Babylon Online Translator DocTranslate Electronic dictionaries ExcelTrans Translator Extensible hypertext markup language XHTML Google Translate Client HunterSoft Business Translator Hypertext markup language HTML Intrado SchoolMessenger jalada GmbH Just Translate Language Engineering Corporation Translate Pro Lingoes Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.73/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.57/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.47/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 4.43/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.41/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL Interpreter) Arabic Translator Bilingual Interpreter Bilingual Secretary Braille Transcriber Braille Translator Community Interpreter Contract Translator Court Interpreter Cryptologic Linguist Deaf Interpreter Diplomatic Interpreter Educational Interpreter English Translator Farsi Linguist Foreign Language Interpreter Freelance Translator Interpreter Language Interpreter Language Translator Linguist Medical Interpreter Paraprofessional Interpreter Russian Linguist School Sign Language Interpreter Sign Language Interpreter Sign Language Translator Spanish Interpreter Spanish Translator Spanish-English Interpreter Technical Translator Translator Vietnamese Interpreter