Interview with Peter, Translator from English to Chinese (simplified and traditional):
First things first, we would love to learn more about you: why and when did you decide to become a translator/interpreter? Where did the idea come from, and have you ever considered doing anything else?
I decided to become a translator in 2004, two years after I immigrated to Canada. In order to survive in the new country, I took different jobs, such as file processing specialist with an immigration company, ESL and TOEFL tutor with some private colleges and bookkeeper with a Vancouver-based company. But none of the jobs was what I liked. Later a friend of mine, who is a translator, asked me to help him with some translation jobs, and he encouraged me to be a full time translator. I followed his advice and quit all the other odd jobs and started to work as a translator.
How different is being a translator/interpreter from what you had expected?
A translator’s job is more challenging and time-consuming than I expected. To be a qualified translator, one must not only be very proficient at both the source language and target language, but must also have extensive knowledge in your areas. A good translator should also know how to use CAT tools in his translation and have good project management skills. Above all, a good translator must be committed to his work and clients
What is, according to you, the best way to learn a foreign language? How did you learn your languages?
To me, the best way to learn a foreign language is by communicating with native speakers. If that is not possible, it is by watching TV and listening to the radio.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_best_way_to_learn_a_new_language#ixzz1NK1V0dPN
What are the challenges of being a translator/interpreter? What are the perks?
It is hard to find the right expression in the target language for what is to be translated. Most translation jobs are very urgent and the translator has to work under pressure.
Thank you very much!
