What and How Translation Works
Tags: translation, translator, writing, career
Published: 2022-01-16 16:13:37

What do you imagine when you listen to the work of a translator? Is it just translating a text or writing and converting it into a foreign language?


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/rkd4vypn7atwzjwo1ut1.jpg)

In fact, a translator or translator does not just translate a text. In addition to changing it into a foreign language, they must also be able to convey the content of the message contained using the appropriate choice of words.

## What is a Translator?
A translator is someone who is able to master several foreign languages to convert them from one language to another, both orally and in writing.

Not only changing into a language, but this profession must be able to convey a meaning contained in it.

A translator must be able to change languages with various topics such as economics, culture, law, education, and many more. To understand the written context of the topic, they usually do research first from books, journals, or the internet.


## Translator Type

The scope of the profession of a translator is quite broad considering the trend of popular culture from abroad is quite popular in Indonesia. There are two types of translators, namely unbound translators and sworn translators.


## Sworn Translator
Sworn translators are those who pass the Translator Qualification Test.

After being declared entitled to a certificate, they will be sworn in by the Governor or another high-ranking official who is trusted to take the oath. The exam was held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, University of Indonesia with a minimum score of 80.


## Unbound Translator

Meanwhile, ordinary translators are translators who do not take the Translator Qualification Test and do not have certification. Although not certified, this translator is needed for personal matters such as translating articles, written works, fiction, and books.


## Main Duties of Translator

In addition to changing the language, this translator also has a main task. What are these tasks?

Translate several books such as literary works, documents, articles, academic materials, and films from the source language to the target language

Delivering the content of the message contained in the text into the target language

Writing and editing copies into foreign languages
Conducting consultation (brainstorming) with clients related to the translation process

Prepare a translated text summary

Discuss with the editor that the language that has been translated is in accordance with the original meaning

Doing re-checking from spelling to sentence


## Skills that Translators Must Master

Skills that must be possessed by translators are not only foreign language skills. Because not only relying on foreign language skills, a translator must have this skill.


## Translate

Because the main thing is that a translator must be able to master several foreign languages, the skill that must be possessed is the ability to translate from the source language into the target language.

Translator is tested from the ability to master several foreign languages. However, the ability to understand the content of the context is no less important. So that later, the translated text or document has the same meaning from the source language.

A translator is said to be a professional if they can use a foreign language as well as they can use their mother tongue.


## Full Meaning Reading Comprehension

Without good reading skills, a translator cannot translate a text or document.

Before changing the language, the previous translator must read the text first in order to understand the content of the text. If you don't have a good reading comprehension, the translator will find it difficult to translate the text.


## Writing Ability

Good writing skills are needed for a translator. Because foreign language skills and writing are a must-have.

After understanding the content of the text by reading, then the translator will write it into the target language. So, translators also work with word processing to write the translation.


## Understanding Culture

The reason why a translator must understand the culture of the language in question is so that the translated text is not misunderstood.

In order to understand the culture of another language, a translator can do research from reading books, encyclopedias, or watching films about the language culture of a country.


## Editing

When a translator is asked to translate a document, of course the translation needs to be written.

However, another task that will be carried out by a translator is to ensure that the translated text is in accordance with certain grammar. Not infrequently a document becomes difficult to understand when translated into another language.

Therefore, a translator must re-check the translated documents. Is there still a grammar or context that is difficult to understand? This is where the ability to edit translators comes in handy. Translator will edit carefully until the translation is easy to understand.


## Career Options as a Translator

Because the job as a translator must be able to communicate 2 different languages, the scope of his work is not as simple as translating languages. There are several types of careers that you can try if you are interested in working in the field of translation.


## Simultaneous Interpreter

Simultaneous Interpreter or interpretation service is a service that requires a translator or translator who is accurate and reliable in foreign language skills.

The simultaneous work of this interpreter does not translate a text, but translates someone's speech. A simultaneous interpreter must be able to balance the speed of his speech with the original speaker.


## Literary Translator

A well-known literary work such as the Harry Potter novel is quite popular throughout the world, including Indonesia.

It is not uncommon for foreign literary works to be translated first before entering the Indonesian market. This is the main task of a literary translator to translate the content of the work without changing the storyline and meaning in the slightest.

Literary works are translated not only from novels, but also other types of literature such as biographies, essays, poems or articles into different languages so that they can be enjoyed by the whole world.


## Localization Translator

Do you use the Instagram app? This application already has thousands of active users from all over the world. In order for users to be more comfortable with social media, Instagram provides several language options that users can choose from.

This localization translator is in charge of translating into these various languages. So that an application can still be used by all people from various parts of the world.


## Medical Translator

Not only translating language texts, the job of this medical translator must be able to understand from terminology as well as medical content.

This job is much needed by the health industry and hospitals. Keep in mind that medical translators need a high focus because the things that are translated already involve a very crucial medical field.


## Justice Translator

For those who work as Judicial Translators, this job is working in the courtroom or judicial system. His main task is to read and write documents in foreign languages in the realm of law.

This job is very important when facing the law with a citizen or foreign party.


## Conclusion

Translator or translator is a job that does not only translate the source language to the destination language that will be used. But you also have to understand the meaning and culture of the target language so that the translated text has the same meaning as the source language.

If you have proficiency in a foreign language and understand the culture well, you can try to start a career as a translator. However, you must be a aware that your real competitor now is not of the same translator.

Your real competitor is that the machine translator. There are a lot of sites to be addressed. And actually some of them has already defeated you for specific reasons. Because any site has already been updated such the most accurate translate site ([situs translate paling akurat](https://hybernasi.com/13-situs-penerjemah-bahasa-inggris-selain-google-translate/)) has been there in the internet.

**So, be a good learner!**

Hopefully the information above can be useful!