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What Are the Qualities of a Good Translator? - Coggle Diagram
What Are the Qualities of a Good Translator?
A good translator is someone who never stops the learning process.
They are constantly learning about these new words and expressions to continue improving their work and keep their interpretations a hundred percent accurate.
A translator must have an excellent knowledge of regional dialects and local slang, because these can influence comprehension significantly.
The Qualities of a Good Translator
Language Expertise
Translators must have an in-depth understanding of both the target and source language. Being a native speaker isn’t always a requirement, but having complete fluency in both languages is a necessity.
Appreciation and Respect for Other Cultures
A good translator respects and appreciates the cultures they represent in their translations. Through their work, translators are able to break down the stigmas, misconceptions, and negative stereotypes that hinder various cultural groups from understanding and embracing each other.
Attention to Details
In professional translation, every detail matters. A single misplaced word can change the entire meaning of the content. Professional translators strive to maintain consistency across all their work, and use reference materials when required, as compliance with existing glossaries plays a critical role in eliminating discrepancies when translating specific terminologies.
The Ability to Accept Criticism
A skilled translator demands perfection from themselves and they strive to deliver quality work.
All the same, even the most established professionals have room for improvement. Good translators accept and encourage feedback to sharpen their skills.
Excellent Time Management Skills
Tight deadlines and schedules are standard in the field of professional translation, and every hour late can make a substantial difference in a work scenario. In high-stake situations, a client may ask a translator to complete significant projects within a short time.
Curiosity
Curiosity is crucial for any self-respecting linguist. Skilled translators are often interested in many fields, and many strive to improve their general knowledge so that they can translate a variety of materials.
Integrity
A good translator is honest. This quality primarily concerns their pricing practices. At first, it may seem like a brilliant strategy to set low prices to attract more clients, especially for freelance translators. But in the long run, this means shooting themselves in the foot. That’s because other translators may lower their prices to compete, forcing the translator to reduce their fees even further.
Translators must also be familiar with attitudes and traditions that distinguish different cultures, and understand how these factors eventually influence the languages themselves.
Experienced translators know how to find the right balance between speed and accuracy to meet their client’s expectations.
A good translator should have a strong eye for detail and must be able to accept criticism. Tiny errors and omissions in content can completely change the meaning of the entire document. A good translator must also be able to strike the right balance between speed and accuracy.