As a language graduate and translator, along with my multilingual colleagues, I appreciate the fascinating complexities and nuances of other languages, as well as knowing the industry inside out. There are many ways in which languages can impact our lives and the world around us, which is partly why we love them!

Personally, the value of knowing another language first became apparent to me when I worked as an au pair in Austria a few years ago. Not only were the children young enough to have limited German (let alone English!), the parents, family and neighbors also had virtually no knowledge of English. This was the perfect opportunity for me, a naturally shy speaker, to gain confidence in speaking German as there really was no other option. The experience improved my verbal German greatly and made me more culturally aware, a vital skill in all aspects of the language services industry.

As a translator, I have experienced many instances where a phrase, or in some cases the entire text, had to be adapted in order to appeal or apply to the target audience. However, the importance of such cultural knowledge is immediate in the case of interpreting, as the interpreter must communicate the intended message to the second person in the most appropriate way in real time. Interpreting can also be stressful in terms of the subject matter of assignments, as cases often deal with court cases and asylum proceedings. However, having the ability to improve communication in areas such as this also makes interpreting a very rewarding career path.

If, like us, you are a dedicated and enthusiastic linguist, a good way to get started and build your knowledge of the industry, as well as honing your skills as a translator or interpreter, is to get involved with a specialised association such as the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) or the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CioL). When you have gained some more knowledge and experience in the industry, you can then get in touch with translation companies and work on a freelance basis. In addition, if you have a language-related degree, 5 years’ industry experience and a specialist area, Veritas would be happy to work with you to offer our customers professional translation and interpreting services!

For more information about the services that Veritas can offer, please visit the interpreting page of our website.