Translating and Interpreting

You don't need to have studied languages at university, but may have gained knowledge and fluency from your personal circumstances, eg: growing up in a multi-lingual household or living in a different country.

Whilst there are full time or "staff" translation and interpreting roles, many people work on a freelance or fixed term contract basis, so it's important to consider whether this lifestyle suits you. The benefit of being a freelancer is that it can broaden the scope and type of work you do, as you can work across different sectors and types of organisations. 

As AI and machine learning tools become more sophisticated, they are being used more often in the sector. However it's important to note that leading organisations such as the UN and EU still hire freelance and full-time staff in these roles, indicating there is still very much a need for qualified people with relevant skills to perform these roles.

Expand All

As these are two different skill sets, the career paths and job options for each are different. However some people choose to take qualifications which allow them to do both.

Below is a brief overview of the differences between the two:

Translating

  • Source material is text
  • Involves reading and writing
  • Requires absolute accuracy
  • Time to check and review output
  • Working to deadlines

Interpreting

  • Source material is the spoken word
  • Involves listening and speaking 
  • Focus on conveying tone, ideas and key messages 
  • Conducted in "real time" and at a fast pace

Here below are some examples of the different types of interpreting:

Consecutive Interpreting - the interpreter listens to the speaker and takes notes, then delivers the speech in the target language

Simultaneous interpreting - (often used at multi-lateral organisations eg: UN, EU) interpreters work in sound proof booths listening with headphones, then interpret in the target language

Language Skills

Translators and interpreters generally translate ‘into’; their “mother tongue” or their ‘main language’ (although there are of course exceptions, depending upon the circumstances). This is their ‘target’ language, into which they will translate material from the ‘source’ language. So, if you have studied French, but are a native English speaker, you are likely to work from the source language of French into your “mother tongue” or “main language2 – English.

N.B. Some organisations have very specific language requirements to work for them - ensure that you have reviewed these thoroughly.

For example some institutions such as the EU categorise languages as “A/B/C/” languages.

A is your ‘main language/mother tongue’

B is the second language of which you have an excellent command. You might occasionally interpret/translate into this, but only from your main language/mother tongue.

C is a passive language. You are expected to have a high level of proficiency in this language, but may not have the same levels of fluency as in your A and B languages, which you could use as your source language.

Qualifications & Skills required

Some roles do not require additional qualifications eg: some translation roles. However industry recognised courses and qualifications can broaden your work options significantly. 

N.B.  Always check before starting a course that the qualification is valued and recognised by potential future employers.

Postgraduate Study

Master's Courses - Completing an MA in Interpreting, Translating or both can be helpful - choose the university wisely and check to see where their graduates go on to work eg: University of Bath  

Professional Diploma - The Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL)  is a highly regarded institution offering diplomas and preparation courses in Translation and  Public Service Interpreting.

Other skills

As well as your language knowledge, common skills cited across both interpreting and translation roles include:

  • Professionalism
  • Flexibility/adaptability
  • Interest in current affairs and general knowledge
  • Analytical skills
  • Research skills
  • Curiousity
  • Strong cultural awareness

 

Additional skills for Interpreting

  • Empathy
  • Tact and diplomacy
  • Good public speaking
  • Stamina
  • Calmness under pressure
  • Initiative
  • Note-taking
  • Teamwork

 

Additional Skills for Translation

  • Networking skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisational skills
  • Writing skills
  • Subject knowledge (you could work in a specialist field based on your subject knowledge of law, medicine, etc…)
  • IT skills

Getting experience

Getting first-hand experience is a good way to ‘try out’ translation or interpreting activities, and to build your awareness of the skills you might want to develop further, although there aren’t as many formal internships as there are in other sectors.

Getting experience at Oxford
•    Research local charities which work, or might wish to work, with non-English speakers (e.g. Asylum Welcome and Jacari) and see if there’s a way they can use your language skills.
•    Join Oxford student groups which focus on nationals from a particular country or language. See if you can use your skills to support events, committees or projects.
•    If you’re looking to build your language skills further, you might want to review the British Council’s options to work/volunteer and improve your languages 
•    Language-related internships are also sometimes advertised on CareerConnect.
•    The majority of work experience opportunities are likely to come from translation and interpreting agencies. Use the links in ‘External Resources’ to find organisations in your preferred region. Explore their websites or get in touch with them to see if you can help their work.

Will I get paid?
Internships and summer jobs are governed in the UK by National Minimum Wage law, which means that if you are carrying out activities that class you as a “worker” by the employer, then you should be paid. Full details of Employment Rights and Pay for Interns are published by the government.
If you are undertaking a learning and development opportunity such as a micro-internship, or volunteering for a charity or statutory body, or shadowing or observing, then you may not be eligible for the National Minimum Wage. The organisation may reimburse you for your travel and/or lunch expenses, but they aren’t obliged to do so.
 

A common way to enter the industry is through a postgraduate qualification. Although there are opportunities to work as a translator without a qualification, it is viewed as essential for interpreters. As mentioned before, check course details carefully to ensure that they will provide the career opportunities you want. It's also helpful to look at job descriptions for various entry-level roles you are interested in, to gain an understanding of the requirements - a languages degree on it's own may not be enough!

It is possible to work without any further study or experience. Freelance translation, for example, is often found by working with a translation company or agency. There is no guarantee of work when working with agencies, of course, but plenty of people do work without qualifications – there is no regulation in the UK that you must have further study in this field.

Language analysts in the intelligence services, and EU translators, are often recruited without a further translation course or equivalent experience.

However, you may notice that permanent roles specify that you need further study and/or professional experience. In particular, it is highly unusual to gain paid work as an interpreter without a professional qualification.

The EU offers Traineeships for Linguists  and individual organisation websites eg: UNCareers and general job sites (examples listed in "External Resources") are a good place to look for jobs.

Types of Jobs

There are a very wide range of jobs that involve translating and/or interpreting skills and employers, a few examples are listed below:

Interpreter - conference, business, diplomatic and public service (working with hospitals, police, courts or other public bodies)

Translator - with subject specialism, editor, proof-reader, lawyer-linguist, language analyst (for the security services)

Employers - International organisations (UN, EU, NATO, IMF), Governments eg: UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, international and national courts, businesses, universities etc.

Freelancing or working for agencies

The majority of translators and interpreters are freelance. Freelancers generally find clients by signing up with  agencies (who assign them paid work as a self-employed contractor).  To find translation companies and agencies and to apply for freelance work, we list some suggestions below under ‘External Resources’.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The UK Equality Act 2010 has a number of protected characteristics to prevent discrimination due to your age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation. For further information, visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s webpage on the Equality Act and the UK Government’s webpages on discrimination.

 

If you are working abroad, ensure that you check relevant Equality/Anti-Discrimination laws.

Try the following to discover more about the policies and attitudes of the organisations that you are interested in:

  • Read their equality, diversity and inclusion policy
  • Search their website to see if they have any specific staff networks
  • Look for external accreditation and whether they partner with organisations focused on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. 

Useful websites

Language job sites

Literary translation prizes

CareerConnect VACANCIES
CareerConnect EVENTS
RELATED NEWS

Looking for more?


Check the CareerConnect platform for all our upcoming events and opportunities, book appointments, find jobs and internships, and more.

Login to CareerConnect