Occupation
Translator
Translators convert written material from one language into another so that it reads naturally and means the same thing. Specialisms differ sharply: legal, medical, technical, marketing, and literary translation each carry their own terminology and their own risks.
Also known as: Literary translator · Localisation translator · Translation specialist
Occupation content
Part of Arts, design, media and communications
What the work involves
- Assess a source text for subject matter, terminology, and register
- Translate the text and check it reads naturally to a native reader
- Research terminology and maintain glossaries and translation memories
- Revise or proofread another translator's work against the source
- Query ambiguities or errors in the source with the client
- Deliver files in the format and layout the client requires
How people commonly enter
- Bachelor's or postgraduate degree in translation, languages, or linguistics
- Degree in a specialist subject combined with proven language proficiency
- Professional certification or examination through a translators' association
- Freelance work building a subject specialism and a client base
Typical training: Bachelor's degree
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Typical work context
Works independently · Remote capable · Quiet focus · Desk based
Related interests
Artistic (creative) · Investigative (analytical) · Conventional (organizing)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
- Reading comprehension
- Written communication
- Verbal reasoning
- Error detection
- Attention and concentration
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Arts, design, media and communications.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook Handbook: Interpreters and Translators · United States
Link checked
- O*NET OnLine - Interpreters and Translators (27-3091.00) · International
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- UK National Careers Service - Explore careers job-profile index · United Kingdom
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Arts, design, media and communications in Canada, not a figure for Translator. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Arts, design, media and communications family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Arts, design, media and communications: education pathways
Some roles in Arts, design, media and communications may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Arts, design, media and communications: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)