There are as many reasons to pursue translation as there are many people pursuing it. However, many translators will agree with the following list.
- Translation is challenging. Anyone who says otherwise does not really know what skills are required to be a good translator. Challenges come in all shapes and sizes as languages evolve.
- Translation is a matter of skills:
- Language mastery
- Writing skills
- Skillful communicator
- Extensive knowledge (field of translation, writing practices, communication conventions)
- Translation is a cerebral activity. Translation is about conveying a message and not the words, which means each translation requires interpretation. Translation is not merely looking up words in a bilingual dictionary.
- Translation is a learning opportunity. You walk away from each translation project with having learned something new, be it a new term or a new concept.
- Translation is intrinsically rewarding. Make no mistakes! Sometimes translation issues arise, some phrasings are more difficult to translate than others. Can you imagine the pride you feel in solving a translation issue, in reading a segment you brilliantly transposed into the target language? There is great pride in developing our skills.
Josée Couture 