Is it worth studying to become an English translator? Where is the best place to study as a translator - personal experience

Profession linguist description

A linguist, in short, is a specialist in the field of foreign languages; he usually speaks English and one other foreign language.

But it is impossible to acquire the profession of simply a linguist, because this is a broad concept, its general name; usually, when entering a university, you need to make a choice in favor of a linguist-translator, linguist-teacher, English teacher or, in some universities, a guide-regional specialist. It is clear, yes, that a linguist differs from a translator in the same way as, for example, a fish differs from a carp - both fish, but the name carp is more specific)

Let's understand the pros and cons of these professions.

Since I am a certified linguist-teacher and I have practical experience in this profession, let’s start with it.

It is implied that linguist-teacher is a specialist who will teach a foreign language at a university.

What are the responsibilities? Firstly, it is clear that teaching a foreign language class, in addition, the teacher has a part of the work that is not yet very noticeable to students, this is the so-called “second half of the working day”. During this time, free from classroom teaching, the teacher must organize educational activities for students, write scientific articles, draw up various methodological documents, and, of course, prepare for his classes, as well as check various tests and other written works completed by students.

You need to keep in mind that if you choose this profession, your supervisor (head of the department) will constantly “push” you to go to graduate school and get a PhD, so you need to be ready for further scientific activity. Postgraduate study is inevitable because: only it can lead to a more or less normal salary, and, practically, it will “reserve” you a job at a university, which, due to the current policy of the Russian state to reduce the number of universities, will turn out to be even more precarious for those who are not candidates of sciences.

If you don’t want to go to graduate school at all, then you should think about teacher profession and subsequently go to work at school. They won't demand this from you.

What are the responsibilities of a teacher? Yes, you yourself studied at school and you know that the teacher conducts lessons, checks notebooks, fills out a register, and if he is a class teacher, then conducts extracurricular activities and parent-teacher meetings. What is hidden from your eyes is that the teacher must write a lesson plan for each lesson and show it to the leader; he must also attend teacher councils (where all teachers gather under the leadership of the head teacher), which in some organizations are held once or even twice a day. a week, and they last not half an hour, but two hours (it’s still so boring, but you can’t skip a walk!). Teachers, just like teachers, draw up various methodological documents and write articles. In order for the salary to be higher, you need to be certified for the category, I don’t really know the intricacies, but it’s quite difficult, you need to conduct an open lesson, pass a test in a foreign language, certificates of advanced training, and work experience are also important. There are several categories and you need to pass certification every time to get the next one.

Advantages of teaching professions

Part-time work (classroom classes/lessons are conducted in the first or second shift, the remaining time, if there is no meeting of the department or teacher council, the teacher/teacher can distribute himself: he decides for himself - where, when, what extracurricular work he should do)

The creative nature of the work (the teacher can approach the teaching process creatively, use various methods and techniques so that both he and his students/students find it interesting)

Work with your favorite foreign language (now a foreign language will always be in your life, six to seven (don’t forget about checking students’ written work) days a week, and even if you didn’t learn something while studying at a university, while teaching you will definitely learn it )

Work with young people: children or youth (maybe you don’t quite understand what the advantage is here, then imagine that at work you are forced to communicate with the elderly, they come to you and constantly complain about their health, their lack of demand, disrespect from young people, you, for example , a local doctor or a social worker. And if you are a teacher, then you deal with young people who are happy, everything is interesting and they have the attitude that their whole life is ahead and everything will work out?)

Disadvantages of teaching professions

A lot of paperwork, uninteresting work (methodological documents, reports, journaling, etc.)

There will always be a feeling that you have homework (it’s like you’ve already graduated from university, but you still need to prepare for classes and check written work, and so on all your life, and people of other professions, having graduated from university and got a job, are free at the end of the working day from official duties)

Discipline (it is very difficult for a young specialist to establish discipline, especially at school, do you remember how your class “stood on ears” if the teacher was not a vixen? At a university, discipline is better, but still, students will not take a young teacher seriously for a long time, and there is no way to solve this, you can only wait, because, as they say, youth is the most quickly passing flaw)

The next disadvantage, which is a disadvantage at school and an advantage at a university: the need to communicate with the students’ parents (parents, as it turns out, can be inadequate and may simply not understand why the teacher gave their child a bad grade and calmly “attack” the teacher about this! The children got into a fight , again, the teacher is to blame! Fortunately, at a university, the teacher practically does not have such a component as “communication with parents”)

For a teacher, entering graduate school and defending a dissertation can be a disadvantage of the profession, because it is a really complex and difficult matter.

It is also necessary to note that all the achievements of a teacher at a university will not be taken into account if he gets a job at a school (position, degree, candidate, for example, work experience), so a candidate of sciences, upon coming to school, will be considered a “young specialist” and occupy the lowest position and receive the smallest salary.

Linguist-translator is a specialist who speaks one or more foreign languages and is engaged in translation from native to foreign or from foreign to native languages. In this case, it can be divided into: translation of oral speech and written texts.

Translate spoken language very difficult, you need to have not only a high level of foreign language proficiency, but even more important - experience in performing this type of work. Yesterday's graduate, a translator with honors, is unlikely to successfully cope with the responsibilities that befall her the first time. In addition, I would classify this profession as temporary; it is more like a part-time job, because not every city has organizations that need such a unit, and there is a full workload.

WITH translator the situation is simpler, on the one hand. Any production facility has a translator department for translating documents from foreign languages and conducting business correspondence with foreign partners. But imagine that you got a job, for example, at a machine-building plant, and in the texts you will always find some bearings and gears, do you understand them in Russian? And in order to translate correctly you will have to figure it out.

Pros and cons of the profession of linguist-translator:

Working with foreigners, in the case of interpreting (it’s always interesting to communicate with representatives of other cultures)

No problems with discipline (which the teacher and teacher have)

No need to engage in scientific activities, unlike a teacher

Full time in the case of a translator, temporary work in the case of an interpreter

Monotonous, monotonous, painstaking work (imagine that all day you need to translate texts, documentation, constantly referring to the dictionary, choosing the right word, having difficulty understanding the content of what is written, and which translation word out of a dozen presented in the dictionary will be correct in this particular context ?)

Extensive experience is required to perform interpreting.

What are the opportunities for part-time work as a linguist?

tutoring

Well paid

You can choose a time convenient for you to study

Students do not always want to study English (it is common to think that if money is paid for classes, then they are very important for the student, and he will listen carefully and complete all the teacher’s tasks; in fact, this is not always the case. Often, studying English is a desire parents, not the child, they want him to know English, but no one asked the child, so he does everything without enthusiasm, it’s very psychologically difficult with this).

part-time job at a private language school

You can choose the most convenient time for classes and load volume

Compared to working at school, there are a lot of advantages: there is no paperwork, no scientific activity, better discipline, no checking of notebooks, etc.

Control of the administration (not everyone will be able to get a job in a language school; before admission, they are often required to successfully write a test in a foreign language and attend an interview. After being hired, the administrator will be present at the lesson and monitor the quality of the lesson by the teacher - this is psychologically difficult, especially for young professionals)

Payment is less than for private individual lessons (tutoring found on your own)

There is no social package (this is important if working at a language school will be your main job. If you get sick, sick leave will not be paid, if you go on maternity leave, you will not receive any maternity money, etc.).

part-time job as a guide

In cities where tourists come, there is an opportunity to work as a guide. This type of training is available in some universities, and you can also take guide courses if you already have a higher education. Like a translator, work for a guide is not available in every city, so I would classify it more as a part-time job. To be in demand, you need to have a good level of knowledge of a foreign language, be sociable, polite, and friendly. It is very important to establish yourself well and get into the contact database of travel companies; if everyone is happy with you, they will invite you, and this work is well paid.

Working with foreigners

Good earnings

Temporary, seasonal nature of work

It takes time to get into the contact database of travel companies and get a large number of orders, which will allow you to have good earnings and a constant workload during the tourist season.

What should you take into account when choosing a profession as a linguist-teacher, teacher, translator or guide?

I described the pros and cons of these professions, and if you have a passion for foreign languages, and you want to focus on the profession of a linguist, think about what exactly you would like to do more. If you like working with children, then a teacher, if you are close to scientific work, then a teacher, if you don’t mind working full time and don’t want to work with people, then a translator, if you feel that you have a talent for foreign languages, and If it is in your power to learn how to interpret simultaneously, then you are an oral translator. In addition to what is close to your spirit, it is very important to take into account what city you live in or in which you plan to work: is there a job there for a translator, a guide, or is it a university town? It is very important to choose a profession immediately, before entering a university, so that later you do not have to get a second higher education, because in many cases the organization avoids, for a number of reasons, hiring a specialist with a non-core education.
Where to study to be a linguist?

Higher linguistic education can be obtained at philological faculties or at institutes of linguistics. There you usually have the opportunity to take courses or complete a second higher education if you want to get a diploma as a translator or guide.

The profession of translator is gaining popularity on the Russian labor market. What is this work? What types of activities does it include?

Who should study in this specialty? What is the salary of a specialist? Let's talk about everything in detail.

Professional translator - description and characteristics of the profession

Some people think that learning a foreign language well is enough to get a job. But this activity is not as simple as it seems at first glance. The success of negotiations and the conclusion of an important deal sometimes depends on the professional qualities of a specialist.

Translation can be oral or written. Written specialists translate texts, fiction and other works, and documents.

Interpretation is divided into consecutive and simultaneous. Consecutive interpreting is often used in situations where a speaker speaks to a large audience. In this case, he pauses after a certain phrase, and the translator reproduces what was said in another language. Consecutive interpreting is also often used in negotiations.

Simultaneous translation is different in that it is carried out during the speaker’s speech. It is much more complex and requires the following qualities:

attentiveness;
literacy;
good command of the language.

In this case, the interpreter usually sits in a special booth. The work requires a lot of mental effort, so specialists work in shifts of 20-30 minutes with an hour break.

Professions related to foreign languages

If you know foreign languages, you can master other professions. Foreign languages open up many new opportunities.

What do people with knowledge of foreign languages do:

teacher;
linguist;
guide translator;
literary translator;
transcriber.

Knowledge of a foreign language may be required not only in professions related to it. Sometimes Russian companies cooperate with foreign ones. Then knowledge of the language will be a plus for an employee of such a company.

How to become a good translator

To become the best specialist, you need to know many nuances of the profession. For this You should study works compiled by qualified professional translators. In them you can find a description of many mistakes that prevent talented people from moving forward.

For example, the most common mistake is literal translation. And the task is to convey meaning. It is important to understand that each language has its own style and way of presentation. You need to feel the language.

To do this, you can try to put yourself in the author’s shoes and ask the following question: “How would he say this phrase if he spoke in my language or in the language into which I need to translate?”

One more thing - the English language will no longer surprise anyone. A good specialist must know several foreign languages, preferably rare ones.

Russian universities with a specialty in Translation and Translation Studies

The peculiarity of the profession is that translators are required in various fields and spheres of life, for example, you can become a military translator. Therefore, appropriate education is available in military, humanities, physics and mathematics, and in various other institutes.

Examples of Russian universities with this specialty:

Institute of International Law and Economics named after Griboedov.
Moscow State Transport University.
Moscow International School of Translators.
Institute of Linguistics, Moscow Energy Institute.
Nevsky Institute of Language and Culture in St. Petersburg.
International Academy of Business and Management.
Far Eastern Institute of Foreign Languages.
Ural State Pedagogical University.

You can enroll in first or second higher education. This is the best way to learn a profession.

University is almost the only way to get a profession. Colleges do not train translators. Translation courses are gaining popularity. However, it is better not to forget that a diploma can play an important role.

What exams do you need to take?

To be able to become a translator, you need to pass Russian language, as well as social studies and foreign languages as additional subjects.

You can get a profession at the Faculty of Foreign Languages.

How many years does it take to study to become a translator?

The time you will have to spend on training depends on the choice of program. It takes 5 years to study to become a specialist, and 4 years to become a bachelor.

If you choose courses, no one guarantees you either subsequent employment or the quality of knowledge. But the duration of training will be no more than 12 months.

Where can a translator work?

The translator’s place of work depends on the direction of activity he chooses. Most students begin to earn extra money as written translations during their studies. This can be done without leaving home, via the Internet.

There are many platforms and online sites that require translators. True, you won’t earn much from this, but you can get the first skills.

After training, you can go into teaching or get a job in a foreign company. The position of a personal assistant provides many opportunities for career advancement.

What is the salary of a translator in Moscow

Payment for work varies. It all depends on the experience, professionalism, area of activity, company.

Beginning specialists will receive from 20,000 to 40,000 rubles per month.

With the acquisition of experience and professional qualities, new opportunities will open up. Over time, income can grow to 100,000-125,000 rubles.

Career growth and development prospects

Currently, international cooperation is only developing. The growth of the economy and the expansion of sales of many companies have made the profession of translator in demand. Many companies are willing to pay specialists high wages.

True professionals are worth their weight in gold in the labor market. Therefore, career growth and development depends only on the translator’s willingness to grow and improve.

Is it worth studying to be a translator: the pros and cons of the profession

Pros of the job:

Opportunity to work as a freelancer. In this case, the employee has freedom of action. You can set your schedule and work at your own discretion.
No income ceiling. If you work with foreign bureaus or foreign customers, you can significantly increase your income.
There is always an opportunity to work or, as they say, “you won’t be left without work.” Translators are constantly needed. But even if it is not possible to get a job in any company, you can again start freelancing.

Disadvantages of work:

Great competition and difficulties when starting. It will be difficult for a novice translator to find a job without experience.
Health problems. They usually occur among freelancers. If you constantly sit at the computer, your vision will decrease. There is also a possibility of curvature of the spine and problems with posture.
Low wages in Russia. Not everyone manages to reach an international level in their work, and wages in Russian companies do not please anyone.

It is worth studying to become a translator for those who truly love foreign languages, read books in the original, watch films, and travel often.

Translation is not just an activity. It is quite possible that this will become a lifestyle. It is important to love your future profession in order to receive satisfaction.

Translator- a general concept of specialists involved in translating spoken or written speech from one language to another. The profession is suitable for those who are interested foreign languages and Russian language and literature(cm. choosing a profession based on interest in school subjects).

There are several explanations for where different languages came from. For example, the Bible describes the legend about the Tower of Babel. According to this legend, God confused the languages of the tower builders because of their desire to surpass him and excessive pride. People stopped understanding each other and dispersed around the globe without finishing the construction of the tower, which was supposed to reach the heavens.

There is an explanation in the differences in the language of people and from a scientific point of view. Even in prehistoric times, people began to speak different languages due to the separation due to the mountains, deserts and oceans located between them. Languages were formed in isolation among different tribes; one tribe had little contact with others. The greater the degree of geographic isolation, the more different the language is. On the plains, where it is easier to move, individual languages occupy very large spaces (Russian, for example). But whatever the background, there has long been a need for people who know more than just one native language.

Most modern people know not only their own language, but can also speak a foreign language to some extent. Tourism is actively developing, and with it comes the need to communicate with foreigners, to understand at least superficially the language of the country you are traveling to. Most often, the population learns English, which is increasingly taking the place of the universal language of international communication.

But for professional translation, competent, prompt and clear, people with special education and experience are needed. Such specialists are called translators. In a general sense, translators are divided into oral and written.

An important quality of an interpreter is the ability to create an atmosphere of mutual understanding and partnership. The specialist must understand that the success of the negotiations largely depends on him. It should help people with different cultures, mentalities and understand business differently to find a common language.

There are two types interpreters- sequential and synchronous.

A consecutive interpreter is indispensable at business negotiations, at events where some of the participants speak one language, and some speak another. In such cases, the speaker delivers his speech with short pauses so that the interpreter can formulate the phrase in the language of the listeners.

Simultaneous translation- the most difficult type of translation. Such translation is performed using specialized simultaneous translation equipment. A synchronized player must speak a foreign language almost better than his native language. The difficulty of the profession lies in the need to quickly understand and translate what is heard, and sometimes speak at the same time as the speaker. The most valued specialists are those who know how to construct competent and informative sentences that do not allow pauses in their speech.

Translators can translate technical, legal, fiction, business documents. Currently, more and more specialists are using modern technologies (for example, electronic dictionaries). Such special software for translators will help increase their productivity by up to 40%.

Technical translators work with technical texts containing special scientific and technical information. The distinctive features of such a translation are accuracy, impersonality and unemotionality. The texts contain many terms of Greek or Latin origin. The grammar of technical translations is specific and contains firmly established grammatical norms (for example, indefinite personal and impersonal constructions, passive phrases, impersonal forms of the verb). Types of technical translation include full written translation (the main form of technical translation), abstract translation (the content of the translated text is compressed), abstract translation, translation of headings and oral technical translation (for example, for training employees to work on foreign equipment).

Legal translation is aimed at translating specific texts related to the field of law. This translation is used to exchange professional information related to the socio-political and cultural characteristics of the country. In this regard, the language of legal translation must be extremely accurate, clear and reliable.

Legal translation can be divided into several types:

translation of laws, regulations and their drafts;
translation of agreements (contracts);
translation of legal opinions and memoranda;
translation of notarial certificates and apostilles (a special sign certifying signatures, the authenticity of a stamp or seal);
translation of constituent documents of legal entities;
translation of powers of attorney.

Translator of fiction- a specialist translating literary texts. He must, in addition to a comprehensive knowledge of a foreign language, have a good understanding of literature, a high level of command of words, and be able to convey the style and style of the author of the work being translated. There are many examples when recognized masters of words were involved in translations (V. Zhukovsky, B. Pasternak, A. Akhmatova, S. Marshak, etc.). Their translations are works of art in themselves.

Required professional skills and knowledge

perfect command of one or more foreign languages;
competent Russian language;
good knowledge of special terminology, both in the original language and in the target language (especially relevant for technical translators);
deep knowledge of literature and literary editing skills (for translators of fiction);
knowledge of the characteristics of language groups;
desire to improve knowledge of a foreign language every day.

Personal qualities

linguistic abilities;
high level of analytical thinking;
ability to store large amounts of information;
accuracy, patience, attentiveness;
high level of erudition;
fast reaction;
ability to concentrate and be attentive;
communication skills;
verbal abilities (the ability to coherently and very clearly express one’s thoughts, a rich vocabulary, well-spoken speech);
high efficiency;
politeness, tact.

Pros and cons of the profession

Pros:

possibility of implementation in different areas (written translation, simultaneous interpreter, translation of films, books, magazines, etc.);
a person who speaks a foreign language can find a very prestigious and highly paid job;
there is an opportunity to communicate with people from different countries and cultures;
high probability of business trips and travel.

Minuses

in different months the volume of transfers may vary several times, hence the unstable loading;
Translators are often paid not upon delivery of the material, but when payment arrives from the customer.

Place of work

press centers, radio and television centers;
international funds;
travel companies;
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, consulates;
book publishing houses, media;
translation agency;
museums and libraries;
hotel business;
international firms, companies;
international associations and associations;
international funds.

A translator can spend his whole life in a small, stuffy office, translating pages of other people’s documents for notarization, or he can help communicate with leaders of countries during the most important negotiations. A specialist performs the most important function - he helps people communicate and understand each other.

Without them, we would never have read the works of foreign-language writers, watched foreign films, or learned about what is happening outside our country in general. But not every employee’s work is appreciated; only 15% of translators are satisfied with their salaries. Is it worth dedicating your life to this profession? Where to study to become a translator, what to be prepared for and how to build a career? Let's talk in detail.

History of the profession

The profession, although not in its modern form, has existed since ancient times. Then representatives of different nations spoke one more language, in addition to their native one. The key function of these “specialists” was the translation of speech and written messages. Typically, translators were used in negotiations or when announcing the will of a foreign language ruler of a certain territory. Often these were people captured during wars. In ancient Rus', translators were called interpreters. Presumably, their role was determined at the time of the beginning of the dialogue between the Russian principalities and the Turkic tribes.

The importance of interpreters strengthened during the time of vassal dependence of the Russian principalities on the Golden Horde - the collection of tribute and viceroyalty required knowledge of the Turkic language. In this regard, the position becomes official, and many translators go to serve the prince or khan.

Who is a translator and what are his responsibilities?

A translator is a specialist who translates oral or written text into another language. What distinguishes a professional from someone who simply knows a foreign language is the lack of room for error and the ability to correctly present information (match the speaker’s speed of speech, avoid long pauses, and so on). Remember the dozens of incidents that occurred in the negotiations of the same politicians due to translator errors. The same “overload” in relations between Russia and the United States (instead of a “reset”).

Key responsibilities of a specialist:

Translation of scientific and fiction literature, press, patent descriptions, specialized documents and other materials.
Performing translations of oral and written texts, ensuring their full compliance with the semantic, lexical and stylistic content of the original.
Editing translations of other specialists.
Preparation of documentation and all kinds of texts in a foreign language in accordance with officially accepted standards.
Scientific work on the unification of terms and improvement of translation technologies.

The range of responsibilities can expand or narrow depending on the employee’s qualifications, experience and place of work. But the skill requirements remain unchanged: a professional must not only be fluent in the language, but also comply with job descriptions. For example, have well-spoken speech, excellent memory for simultaneous translation, high typing speed, and so on.

It is necessary to constantly develop - every language lives and changes, new slang words and new trends appear in it.

If a specialist does not improve his skills, then in 1-2 years of “downtime” he can completely lose his skills.

Where can a specialist work?

Translation agency. At least 50% of university graduates work in specialized bureaus that provide interpretation and translation from foreign languages. The organization's customers can be individuals and legal entities, institutions and government agencies. The bureau primarily carries out written translations - these are documents (in particular, those preparing for a notarial application), educational works, books and magazines, letters, articles and much more.

Private organizations. Here specialists work for many customers, but in the interests of one company. Only 1-2% of organizations can afford to maintain a staff of translators - usually 1-2 people who perform a wide range of tasks. They go to negotiations, translate business correspondence, technical literature and documentation, prepare requests and papers for negotiations with foreign partners or customers, and provide information support to clients from foreign countries.

Government structures. Specialists work in government agencies or collaborate with them on individual projects. Example: the regional administration is building partnerships with investors, say, from the Czech Republic. They require translators with knowledge of the Czech language on an ongoing basis, since the volume of work is large and the workload is regular. Another example: from the same Czech Republic, a delegation of, say, athletes comes to the region to participate in some event. In this case, a translator with knowledge of the Czech language will be required for one-time project work.

Publishers and studios. Thousands of books, films, TV series and song lyrics are translated every year. Working in publishing houses, film studios, production centers and similar companies requires a specialist to know the specifics of the literary language and modern slang. You've probably noticed how the quality of translation, for example, of the same series in different studios varies. This is not about voice acting, but about vocabulary. Here, not only the clarity of the content depends on the translator, but also the pleasure received by the listener, viewer, reader from the oral or written text.

Freelancing. According to unofficial statistics, at least 10% of the total number of graduates of educational institutions in Russia constantly work as freelancers. They find regular customers, collaborate on projects with organizations and institutions, or look for work on popular freelance exchanges. The key advantage of this regime is absolute freedom, the ability to set your own schedule and regulate your income. The main disadvantage is the lack of any guarantees, in particular stable payment and fulfillment by the customer of the terms of the contract.

Where to study to become a translator? TOP 5 Universities

The best choice would be a linguistic university. You can start your education in college and continue it over time by enrolling in a university through an accelerated program.

A diploma of higher education gives preferences in employment, being an indicator of the quality of training.

However, the key argument in your favor for the employer is your work experience and qualifications. You will have to improve it throughout your career. And the higher quality the knowledge gained during training, the better. Therefore, it is worth trying to enroll in the best university available to you.

TOP 5 linguistic universities in Russia:

Moscow State University named after Lomonosov.
St. Petersburg State University.
MGIMO.
Moscow Linguistic University.
Russian State University named after. Kosygina.

Choosing a university is an important step in a translator’s career, but not a determining one.

Graduates of provincial educational institutions that are far from the top of the rankings can build a successful career. But during self-study, they will have to do much more than students at elite universities. Moreover, you will not receive the most valuable connections that graduates of prestigious universities acquire during their studies and which help them in finding a job.

An excellent solution would be to enroll in master's programs at foreign universities. This opportunity is worth taking advantage of not only for bachelors who want to emigrate, but also for graduates who want to succeed in a career as a translator. The opportunity to study a language in depth for several years in a country where it is official is an invaluable experience. It will help you reach the top and will become an important line in your resume. You can also: approve scholarships and grants from foreign universities that honestly offer free education. The procedure for admission and paperwork is quite complicated, but it’s worth it.

What qualities do you need to have?

Excellent memory. One of the basic requirements for in-depth study of any language. If you are forgetful, you must be prepared to put a lot of effort into developing your memory.
Logical thinking. It is not enough to remember individual words and phrases - you need to understand its logic, features of vocabulary and word formation. Developed logical thinking will become the basis for understanding grammar and slang expressions.
Perseverance. The work of a translator can hardly be called exciting - it usually involves many hours of sedentary work over piles of foreign language texts.
Stress resistance. It is especially important during simultaneous interpreting, when you are under constant pressure, trying to synchronize your speech with the speech of the speaker.
Attentiveness. Each mistake can lead to distortion of huge blocks of text. History knows many examples of failed negotiations or, say, unsuccessful film releases due to inaccuracies in translations.

The relevance of the translator profession and its prospects

Key confrontations are unfolding in the IT fields. Many experts say that in the near future, trained artificial intelligence will be able to completely replace a human translator. However, the developers themselves speak with caution about such prospects. Most of them talk about this possibility as a rather distant reality.

According to analytical data, in the next 20-30 years machines will not be able to replace the work of translators even by 15%. At the same time, the specialists themselves are happy to use new developments and professional software - it really helps in their work. If you liked the presentation of the profession at the Open Day at the university or if you have been writing an essay on the topic “My future profession is a translator” since elementary school, then you can safely follow your dream.

Pros and cons of the translator profession

This specialty is suitable for people who like complex, intense, orderly work. There are no risks or threats to life or health. It is difficult for a translator to get physically injured at work. But it is quite possible to weaken your psyche and drive yourself to hysteria as a result of constant stress and the burden of responsibility.

pros translator professions:

Relevance of the specialty . This is a profession in demand and even university graduates, as a rule, do not encounter a shortage of vacancies. The only exceptions are rare, particularly endangered, languages.
Lots of employment options . You can work in a regular translation agency, in private companies and government agencies, you can translate books, films and TV series, you can accompany tourists, or even remain a freelancer.
Career prospects . All in your hands! If you are constantly developing, continue to study the language throughout your life, do not marinate yourself in one job and are not afraid of change, you have every chance of achieving success.
Quite high salaries . They cannot be compared with the income of top managers in oil companies, but in comparison with the national average they are high. Moreover, with experience and advanced training, you will be able to qualify for a salary increase.
Real opportunity for emigration . Translators especially often use special programs, complete master's degrees abroad, receive grants and scholarships from foreign universities, as they have an excellent command of the language and successfully pass testing.

Minuses translator professions:

Difficult and responsible work . Most specialists are under constant tension, feel a burden of responsibility and often suffer from stress.
The need for constant development . Just 1-2 years without practice (for example, during maternity leave) and you “fall out” of the profession. The language changes very quickly and you must constantly improve your skills.
Monotonous work . No matter where you work, you will constantly be dealing with large volumes of text - written or spoken. There are no surprises to be expected.
Low salaries at the start of your career . University graduates, even with 1-2 years of work experience, can rarely get a well-paid job.

If you love languages, if you are ready to devote your life to establishing communication and linguistic connections between people, this profession is for you. If you want something more dynamic and exciting, but you go to a linguistic university only because of the prospect of a high salary, you will hate your job with all your heart. Before enrolling, we recommend that you analyze all the pros and cons in advance, and then make an informed choice.

How much do translators earn in Russia?

According to analytical services, the average salary of a Russian translator is 34.7 thousand rubles. At the same time, there are significant differences between average salaries in the regions. Specialists from Moscow (42 thousand rubles), St. Petersburg (38 thousand rubles) and Vladivostok (36 thousand rubles) receive the most. Salaries vary not only in regions, but also in organizations - maximum in private companies, minimum in government agencies.

As they progress in their careers, translators can expect significant salary increases. In 5 years of work, it is possible to increase your income by 10-15 thousand rubles. We should not forget that the amount of wages also depends on the relevance of the language. In some cases, specialists with knowledge of rare languages receive large fees, but usually collaborate with them only on individual projects. Translators specializing in English, German, French and Arabic earn the most.