My job as a translator is often perceived as “easy” and "not so important", so here are some information that can help you overcome this misconception: Our duty as translators is to render accurate meaning from one language to another.

Let me put it in other words: it’s forming sentences that appear to have been written in the target language as if you’re an excellent native speaker and writer. It’s a job that relies on perfectionism, which is extremely addictive and toxic. In fact, I am reconsidering every comma while writing this text. Neither do I have the possibility and luxury to make any language mistake and typo, nor can I skip deadlines, in fear that it would affect my reputation on the market. 

The only way people can communicate is through the use of languages, and here’s a spoiler: there are thousands of them. On every occasion and whatever the purpose, translation is a solution. It was – and still is – the only way to exchange information and knowledge throughout the world. It takes a major part in evolution.  

Once and for all, there is no such thing as “how many languages you use?” Try using one language perfectly and get back to me with that question.  There is no single criterion for how much knowledge is sufficient to be counted as a good translator. Imagine being a translator specialized in any field and not being informed of – literally - everything related to it, whether it was the medical, economic, financial, geopolitical, technical, scientific, legal, judicial, or literary field. However, can one really know everything? Translators are therefore in a constant learning process. Speaking from experience, translation is 50% research, and in some cases more.

So, before you patronize us on how “fast and easy” our job is all while asking for a “perfect and cheap” translation, read the above all over again.

Yara-Maria El Khoury, ETIB alumni