Public Administration & LegalISCO 2643
Translator
Translators transcribe written documents from one or more languages to another ensuring that the message and nuances therein remain in the translated material. They translate material backed up by an understanding of it, which can include commercial and industrial documentation, personal documents, journalism, novels, creative writing, and scientific texts delivering the translations in any format.
Check yourself in a minute: translator
Rate 5 of the 24 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
speak different languages
master language rules
translate texts
translate tags
proofread text
About translator
As a translator, you will be a bridge between languages and cultures, converting written documents from one or more source languages into another language while preserving the original meaning, tone, and nuance. Your work spans a diverse range of materials including commercial documents, legal contracts, scientific texts, novels, journalism, and creative writing. You will need to be meticulously attentive to detail, ensuring accuracy in terminology while adapting content appropriately for the target audience. Your role demands not just linguistic proficiency but also cultural understanding and subject matter expertise to deliver high-quality translations that convey both the literal meaning and the intended message.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a translator.
1
Text Analysis and Preparation
- Comprehend source material thoroughly before translation begins
- Identify subject matter terminology and specialized vocabulary
- Consult reference materials and reliable information sources
- Develop a comprehensive translation strategy for the project
2
Translation and Composition
- Translate texts accurately while preserving original meaning and tone
- Adapt content appropriately for target audience and cultural context
- Translate specialized tags and formatting elements correctly
- Provide written content in various formats as required by clients
3
Quality Control and Revision
- Proofread translated texts for accuracy and consistency
- Revise and edit translation work to improve clarity and flow
- Follow translation quality standards and best practices
- Verify terminology consistency across entire document
4
Language Mastery and Accuracy
- Master the rules and conventions of both source and target languages
- Apply correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation in target language
- Maintain linguistic accuracy while avoiding word-for-word translation
- Preserve original meaning while creating natural-sounding target text
5
Professional Ethics and Confidentiality
- Follow professional ethical code of conduct for translation activities
- Maintain strict information confidentiality for all client materials
- Observe confidentiality agreements and non-disclosure requirements
- Deliver translations within agreed timelines and specifications
6
Professional Development and Tools
- Maintain updated professional knowledge in specialized domains
- Use translation memory and CAT tools effectively
- Master office software and formatting tools for document delivery
- Continuously expand vocabulary and cultural competence
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (24)
information confidentialityinformation confidentialityThe mechanisms and regulations which allow for selective access control and guarantee that only authorised parties (people, processes, systems and devices) have access to data, the way to comply with ...spellingspellingThe rules concerning the way words are spelled.office softwareoffice softwareThe characteristics and functioning of software programs for office tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, email and database.grammargrammarThe set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.master language rulesmaster language rulesMaster the techniques and practices of the languages to be translated. This includes both your own native language, as well as foreign languages. Be familiar with applicable standards and rules and id...translate textstranslate textsTranslate text from one language to another, conserving the meaning and the nuances of the original text, without adding, changing or omitting anything and avoiding the expression of personal feelings...translate tagstranslate tagsInterpret and translate tags from one language to another striving for accuracy in the target language.proofread textproofread textRead a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.develop a translation strategydevelop a translation strategyPerform research to better understand a translation issue and develop the translation strategy that would remediate the encountered problems.follow an ethical code of conduct for translation activitiesfollow an ethical code of conduct for translation activitiesCarry out translation activities according to accepted principles of right and wrong. This includes fairness, transparency, and impartiality. Do not use judgement or allow personal opinions to affect ...comprehend the material to be translatedcomprehend the material to be translatedRead and analyse the content and themes of the material to be translated. The translator must comprehend what is written in order to best translate the content. Word-for-word translation is not always...consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.follow translation quality standardsfollow translation quality standardsComply with agreed standards, such as the European standard EN 15038 and the ISO 17100, to ensure that requirements for language-service providers are met and to guarantee uniformity.observe confidentialityobserve confidentialityObserve the set of rules establishing the nondisclosure of information except to another authorised person.apply grammar and spelling rulesapply grammar and spelling rulesApply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.maintain updated professional knowledgemaintain updated professional knowledgeRegularly attend educational workshops, read professional publications, actively participate in professional societies.preserve original textpreserve original textTranslate texts without adding, changing or omitting anything. Make sure the original message is conveyed. Don't express your own feelings and opinions.provide written contentprovide written contentCommunicate information in written form via digital or print media according to the needs of the target group. Structure the content according to specifications and standards. Apply grammar and spelli...revise translation worksrevise translation worksCompare and perform bilingual editing by reading the translated work and comparing it to the original text.translate different types of textstranslate different types of textsComprehend the nature of the type of text to be translated, for example commercial and industrial documentation, personal documents, journalism, novels, creative writing, certificates, government docu...review translation worksreview translation worksRead thoroughly translated works in order to ensure accuracy and achievement of the purpose.use dictionariesuse dictionariesUse glossaries and dictionaries to search for the meaning, the spelling, and synonyms of words.update language skillsupdate language skillsResearch or practice language skills to stay current with language changes in order to best translate or interpret.
Optional (35) — show
court interpretingcourt interpretingThe form of interpreting where it is mandatory to accurately translate everything the source says in order not to mislead the people who have to make judgements on the cases.types of literature genrestypes of literature genresThe different literary genres in the history of literature, their technique, tone, content and length.linguisticslinguisticsThe scientific study of language and its three aspects, language form, language meaning, and language in context.posteditingposteditingThe process of revising a translation, usually generated by a machine, and improving the accuracy of the text in the translated language.technical terminologytechnical terminologyType of language used in a certain context, containing terms that have a meaning specific to a particular group or activity, such as in industry, medicine, or law.semanticssemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies meaning; it analyses of words, phrases, signs, and symbols and the relation between them.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.unseen translationunseen translationThe translation technique whereby unseen extracts from Latin and Greek prose or verse are presented to translators for them to translate the excerpts perfectly in a determined language, for instance E...develop terminology databasesdevelop terminology databasesCollect and submit terms after verifying their legitimacy in order to build up terminology databases on an array of domains.coach employeescoach employeesMaintain and improve employees' performance by coaching individuals or groups how to optimise specific methods, skills or abilities, using adapted coaching styles and methods. Tutor newly recruited em...write research proposalswrite research proposalsSynthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the ...follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.type texts from audio sourcestype texts from audio sourcesListen, understand, and type content from audio sources into written format. Keep the overall idea and understanding of the message together with relevant details. Type and listen to audios simultaneo...make surtitlesmake surtitlesTranslate lyrics for opera or theatre in order to accurately reflect in other languages the meaning and nuances of the artistic libretto.use consulting techniquesuse consulting techniquesAdvise clients in different personal or professional matters.conduct scholarly researchconduct scholarly researchPlan scholarly research by formulating the research question and conducting empirical or literature research in order to investigate the truth of the research question.make abstractsmake abstractsWrite abstracts and resumes of documents summarising the most important points.improve translated textsimprove translated textsRevise, read, and improve human or machine translations. Strive to improve the accuracy and quality of translations.adapt text culturallyadapt text culturallyAdjust text so it is culturally and linguistically acceptable to the reader, while preserving the original message and nuance of the text.use computer-aided translationuse computer-aided translationOperate computer-aided translation (CAT) software to facilitate the language translation processes.develop technical glossariesdevelop technical glossariesOrganise technical terms used e.g. in scientific and legal settings into terminology databases and glossaries to aid future translations.create subtitlescreate subtitlesCreate and write captions that transcribe the dialogue on television or cinema screens in another language, making sure they are synchronised with the dialogue.translate spoken languagetranslate spoken languageTranslate the dialogue between two speakers and the speeches of individuals into written text, oral or sign language in your mother tongue or in a foreign language.work with authorswork with authorsConsult with the author of the text to be translated in order to capture and preserve the intended meaning and style of the original text.write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...perform sworn translationsperform sworn translationsTranslate documents of all kinds and affixing a stamp indicating the translation has been performed by somebody endorsed by the local or national authorities.keep up with language evolutionkeep up with language evolutionStudy the evolution of the language and integrate language changes into the performance of job activities.identify new wordsidentify new wordsDetermine if there are new words being used by a significant number of people by doing research.analyse text before translationanalyse text before translationUnderstand the messages conveyed and the nuances of the text in the original text to be translated.use translation memory softwareuse translation memory softwareFacilitate efficient language translation using translation memory software.decode handwritten textsdecode handwritten textsAnalyse, understand, and read handwritten texts with different writing styles. Analyse the overall message of texts to ensure coherence in the understanding.translate language conceptstranslate language conceptsTranslate one language into another language. Match words and expressions with their corresponding brothers in other languages, while making sure that the message and nuances of the original text are ...literatureliteratureThe body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.use word processing softwareuse word processing softwareUse computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
translation agency manager18 shared essential skillslocaliser15 shared essential skillsinterpretation agency manager8 shared essential skillsinterpreter8 shared essential skillsproofreader6 shared essential skillsscopist6 shared essential skillscourt reporter5 shared essential skillsforeign correspondent5 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a translator do?
Translators transcribe written documents from one or more languages to another ensuring that the message and nuances therein remain in the translated material. They translate material backed up by an understanding of it, which can include commercial and industrial documentation, personal documents, journalism, novels, creative writing, and scientific texts delivering the translations in any format.
What skills does a translator need?
A translator needs 24 essential skills, including information confidentiality, spelling, office software, grammar, speak different languages.
Will AI replace translator jobs?
The AI disruption score for translator is 83/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: spelling, apply grammar and spelling rules, use dictionaries. Most resilient: office software, speak different languages, follow an ethical code of conduct for translation activities.
AI Replacement Risk
83/ 100
Very High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
Check your own AI riskQuick Facts
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills24
What are you missing to work as translator?
The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.
Check your gaps