Ten Ways to Prepare for becoming a Student of Translation and Interpretation
(Advice from Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation, Monterey, U.S.A.)
1. Read extensively, especially in your non-native language(s)
*Read high quality newspapers (e.g. the New York Times, Wall Street Journal) EVERYDAY for at least a year.
1. Read extensively, especially in your non-native language(s)
*Read high quality newspapers (e.g. the New York Times, Wall Street Journal) EVERYDAY for at least a year.
*Read high quality news magazines (e.g. the Economist from cover to cover; really know the material in all working languages, the Scientific American, etc.).
*Read your favorite topics in your non-native language(s).
*Read other well-written material that will help broaden your general knowledge.
2. Watch the TV news and listen to radio news in all working languages
*Don’t just listen to news stories; analyze
*Know current events and issues.
*Really know the material in both native and non-native languages.
*Tape the interviews so you can listen to them later.
3. Strengthen your general knowledge of economics, history, the law, international politics, and scientific concepts and principles, (in that order)
*Read other well-written material that will help broaden your general knowledge.
2. Watch the TV news and listen to radio news in all working languages
*Don’t just listen to news stories; analyze
*Know current events and issues.
*Really know the material in both native and non-native languages.
*Tape the interviews so you can listen to them later.
3. Strengthen your general knowledge of economics, history, the law, international politics, and scientific concepts and principles, (in that order)
*To meet this goal, take college-level courses, review high school texts, etc.
*It is also a good idea to strengthen your knowledge in a specialized field, (preferably in a technical field, like computers).
4. Live in a country that speaks your non-native language - A stay of at least six months to a year is recommended
*Live with and/or frequently interact with native speakers of your non-native language.
*Take content-related courses in your non-native language (not just pure language courses).
*Work in a setting that requires high level use of your non-native language.
5. Fine-tune your writing and research skills
*Take challenging composition courses (not just “creative writing” courses, but classes in journalism, technical writing, etc.) so that you can “speak” journalese, UNese, legalese, etc.
*Copy (by hand) sections of textbooks and periodicals in your non-native languages.
*It is also a good idea to strengthen your knowledge in a specialized field, (preferably in a technical field, like computers).
4. Live in a country that speaks your non-native language - A stay of at least six months to a year is recommended
*Live with and/or frequently interact with native speakers of your non-native language.
*Take content-related courses in your non-native language (not just pure language courses).
*Work in a setting that requires high level use of your non-native language.
5. Fine-tune your writing and research skills
*Take challenging composition courses (not just “creative writing” courses, but classes in journalism, technical writing, etc.) so that you can “speak” journalese, UNese, legalese, etc.
*Copy (by hand) sections of textbooks and periodicals in your non-native languages.
*Make a note of unfamiliar grammatical points.
*Practice proofreading.
6. Improve your public speaking skills
*Take rigorous speech courses and/or join Toastmasters.
*Practice writing and making presentations in front of other people in both your native and your foreign language(s). (Have native speakers of your non-native language edit your speeches).
7. Hone your analytical skills
*Practice listening to speeches and orally summarizing the main points.
*Practice proofreading.
6. Improve your public speaking skills
*Take rigorous speech courses and/or join Toastmasters.
*Practice writing and making presentations in front of other people in both your native and your foreign language(s). (Have native speakers of your non-native language edit your speeches).
7. Hone your analytical skills
*Practice listening to speeches and orally summarizing the main points.
*Practice writing summaries of news articles.
*Practice deciphering difficult texts (philosophy, law, etc.).
*Practice explaining complicated concepts understandably.
*Identify resources for background research; library, Internet, etc.
8. Become computer savvy
*Be familiar and comfortable with word processing in both your native and non-native languages.
*Practice using on-line services for research.
9. Learn how to take care of yourself – eat sensibly, exercise regularly, and get sufficient sleep
*These are the habits required of a good translator/interpreter.
10. Be prepared for the long haul
*Bringing language skills and analytical skills up to the level required of a professional translator and interpreter is not a task that can be accomplished in a few short years. Only with a lot of patience and sustained hard work can anyone truly succeed in this challenging and exciting field.
*Practice deciphering difficult texts (philosophy, law, etc.).
*Practice explaining complicated concepts understandably.
*Identify resources for background research; library, Internet, etc.
8. Become computer savvy
*Be familiar and comfortable with word processing in both your native and non-native languages.
*Practice using on-line services for research.
9. Learn how to take care of yourself – eat sensibly, exercise regularly, and get sufficient sleep
*These are the habits required of a good translator/interpreter.
10. Be prepared for the long haul
*Bringing language skills and analytical skills up to the level required of a professional translator and interpreter is not a task that can be accomplished in a few short years. Only with a lot of patience and sustained hard work can anyone truly succeed in this challenging and exciting field.
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