Job description
Translators convert the written word from one language to another ensuring the original meaning is retained. They usually have a good knowledge of at least two foreign languages and translate materials such as text books, instruction manuals and research papers.
As most translating is done from the foreign language into the translator's own language, translators must be able to write well in their own language. In addition, they may specialise in a particular type of material, such as news, legal documents, or scientific reports.
While 'staff translators' are usually employed full time with large companies, government departments, international organisations and European Union departments, 'freelance translators' work for themselves and are generally registered with an agency which arranges new contracts and negotiates fees. The subject matter that staff translators deal with can have consistency and similarity as similar themes are often dealt with on a day-to-day basis.
Many translators now work in industries that combine technology and languages; software localisation probably being the best example.