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Top 8 Important Translation skills you need to have

7 June, 2024.

In this article, let’s explore the essential skills required for translation with Lotus Localize, the first step to becoming a professional translator in Hanoi, and providing the best quality translation services for customers.

1. Language Proficiency

The first requirement to become a translator is to have in-depth knowledge of both the source and target languages. Professional translation languages have distinct characteristics, especially in terms of grammar structure, vocabulary, terminology, context, and cultural expressions in both languages.

Therefore, a translator is not just someone who “knows a foreign language” but also needs knowledge, understanding, and deep explanation of the language being translated.

Read more: HOW TO BECOME A PROFICIENT TRANSLATOR

2. Specialized Knowledge

Another characteristic of professional translation is regularly dealing with and translating specialized documents in fields such as economics, healthcare, technology, science, etc. Without equipping the necessary specialized knowledge, accurately and professionally translating these documents is nearly impossible.

An in-depth understanding of the field being translated includes specialized terminology, technical language, and specific context.

3. Research and Self-learning Skills

Knowledge is infinite and constantly evolving. Therefore, translators at Lotus Localize always strive to enhance and improve their skills by researching documents, articles, and scientific research in the translation field, as well as knowledge about the culture, education, and science of the target language country and the source language being translated.

This ensures that language and cultural knowledge in translations are always up-to-date, enhancing accuracy and effectively conveying customer messages.

4. Communication Skills

In addition to formal texts and specialized research documents using industry-specific terminology, cultural and artistic documents such as books, newspapers, and magazines are a significant part of projects at Lotus Localize. To ensure smooth, natural, and professional translation processes, translators need good communication skills in both the source and target languages.

This is also a crucial skill for translators to collaborate on large and complex projects.

5. Translation Tool Skills

Another essential skill for translators is the ability to work with translation tools and software to process and translate documents efficiently. Modern translation requires translators not only to have language and specialized knowledge but also to be proficient in using translation tools (CAT tools) such as Trados Studio, Memsource, MemoQ, Across, Aegisub, Transit Smartling, quality control support tools: Xbench, Checklist, Spreadsheet, etc., to improve work efficiency and optimize translation time.

6. Patience and Attention to Detail

Translation, especially for large and complex projects, requires translators to have a high level of patience to ensure accurate and faithful translations of the original meaning. A small oversight can completely change the meaning of a sentence or text. This is particularly important for official documents or legal contracts, where any error can have significant consequences.

Patience also helps maintain the accuracy of language style and sentence structure in the target language, accurately reflecting the author’s original meaning and perception. These factors require careful attention and patience to ensure the final translation is not only accurate but also true to the content and meaning of the original text.

7. Cultural Knowledge

Translators need to deeply understand the culture, beliefs, and customs of both languages to ensure that the translation does not cause cultural misunderstandings. This helps translators have a better understanding of the cultural context and ensures that the translation is not only accurate in terms of language but also conveys the correct cultural spirit of the original document.

8. Time Management Skills

Time management skills help translators allocate tasks reasonably to complete projects on time and ensure that translations are not time-pressured.

Knowing how to manage time also helps translators enhance work productivity and minimize time wastage, thereby creating high-quality translations quickly and efficiently. Especially in cases where handling multiple projects simultaneously, time management skills help translators stay organized and arrange work to avoid overload or negligence.

These are the necessary skills to be developed and improved over time for a professional translator. Through this article, we hope that Lotus Localize has provided you with useful information about translation skills. If you encounter any difficulties or questions in finding and using translation services, please contact Lotus Localize at the hotline: 0866 224 968 for the best advice!

Let Lotus Localize accompany you in conquering the world, bringing Vietnamese products, Vietnamese people, and Vietnamese culture to the international stage and creating miracles!

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