Eco-System of Language Profession

Facilitates effective communication between two parties that do not speak a similar language by converting one written language to another.

Ensures appropriate relay of concepts and ideas between the source and target languages.

Translators predominantly work with business, technical, literary, academic, legal and scientific written materials including letters, reports, articles, books, invoices, advertisements, and educational material, etc.

Translators' work incorporates: reading documents, writing and editing copies, writing summaries, consulting clients.

Manages work schedules to meet deadlines.

Speaks, reads, and writes fluently in at least two languages.

Good general knowledge, natural curiosity and willingness to learn.

Employs computer-assisted translation to compile information into glossaries and terminology databases to be used in translations.

An ability to grasp varied and complex issues, react swiftly to changing circumstances, manage information and communicate effectively.

Thorough knowledge of the institutions, culture, attitudes and practices in the countries where that language is spoken, normally acquired through residence there.

The ability to relay the style and tone of the original language.

Must be able to write sentences that maintain or duplicate the structure and style of the original meaning while keeping the ideas and facts of the original meaning accurate.

Must properly transmit any cultural references, including slang, and other expressions that do not translate literally.

John Balcom (MIIS alum)

Miguel Ramirez

Hideko (Shinojima) Russell (MIIS alum & professor)

TED Talk - "Why I Translate"

American Translators Association

National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators