Working as a Translator for Digital Nomads

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Working as a translator is an ideal digital nomad business for someone who travels full-time as a way of life, as it can be both remote and transformative. 

You can do this anywhere in the world and change the way people communicate in the languages ​​spoken around the world. 

In this article you will learn how to become a digital nomad translator at one of the main language service providers. Plus, we'll take a look at how Idiomatic USA is always on the look-out for fellow globetrotting professional translators.

 Why do you want to be a translator? 

First, we need to update the university's linguistics course. What is a translator? A translator is a person who converts documents from one language to another. This means that translators must have knowledge (if not fluency) of at least two languages. 

What does translation do? Translators help translate written text from one language to another. They usually specialize in two languages ​​- the mother tongue and the second chosen language - but they can also specialize in a third or fourth language. The successful translator ensures that information, ideas and facts remain accurate and consistent throughout the process. A medium of text communication that makes information more accessible to speakers of another language. 

When it comes to languages ​​and why translations are needed, of the 7139 languages ​​in use today, English, Chinese and Spanish are the main languages, which means that texts and documents need to be translated in other languages.

Research shows that the top ten languages ​​in the world are Chinese, Hindi, English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Bengali, Japanese, German and Russian, which are spoken by most people in the world. It is an advantage for a translator to know two of these languages ​​to be successful. 

Why is being a translator such a good gig for digital nomads? 

No matter how many translation apps are available, businesses are always looking for human translations with a human touch, especially for business correspondence documents. 

 Things to ask yourself before getting into translation

 1. How do you learn a new language? 

If you want to be a translator, you have to learn a language. This means new grammar (to crack), new vocabulary and new sentences (extra points for pronunciation). The best way to learn a language is to live it, and (lucky you!) as a digital nomad, it won't be too much of a problem to go to a place where your language is spoken. You don't necessarily need a certification, although it is useful in this competitive world. The most important skill you need to be a translator is a deep knowledge of at least two languages. To do this, you need to immerse yourself in the language you are translating. 

 2. How did you learn translation? 

 To learn translation in order to understand the context; not only the context of the language, but all aspects of the national, social and economic context of the language. When you become a translator, you can expect to perform and understand the following: 

•  Speak, read and write fluently in two or more languages ​​

•  Translate written documents and content online or offline 

•  Understanding linguistic, cultural and social aspects - Context economic in two or more languages ​​

•  Fluency in colloquial languages ​​and ability to communicate one language accurately to another language 

•  Ability to construct vocabulary, terminology or slang techniques. 

•  Learn to communicate with the company and customers in your preferred language. 

•  Quickly maintain the style and tone of the text they translate 

•  You have industry experience in a niche sector 

 At Idiomatic, we always try to pair the best translator with the project at hand, which is a part of language localization. These can be website translations, marketing translations, literary translations and more. If we find out that the client is an education company in Canada, we provide a translator who understands Canadian and is also good in education. 

3. How to Get a Job as a Translator? 

 If you’re a digital nomad, you’re probably thinking to yourself, can I become a translator remotely? Yes, you can! 

Most language companies are remote. You can search for translator listings online on platforms like Proz, LinkedIn, or getting in touch with any of the Idiomatic branches. 

But first, you should familiarize yourself with the translator profession. Here are some surefire ways to get a job as a translator: 

• Sell yourself - To be a successful translator, you need to sell yourself as a translator or linguist. If you have a degree, qualification or experience in translation, make sure you market yourself in the global market. If you're not looking for anything, there are translation jobs for beginners available. The best thing about translations is that they are always in high demand. 

• Get professional training. Take a course on a specific facet of translation, or on translation management. You will certainly learn new skills, and it can also serve as a great way to network.

• Learn how to use CAT tools. Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools are now a part of the modern-day translation industry. They are not a substitute for being a professional translator, but they do help speed up translation and maintain consistency.

Why is it important for digital nomads to become translators? 

 Digital nomads are curious about the world around them. What better way to experience the world than by learning the intricacies of different languages? Digital nomads are ideal for translation because they are constantly discovering new environments. 

Translation is the perfect job for digital nomads as it can be done almost anywhere with a WiFi connection. The travel culture of  digital nomads can also create cultural contexts of a linguistic nature. Digital nomads familiar with the digital world  also have advantages as translators. Knowledge of technical terms is essential as a technical translator. Understanding Bitcoin is essential to financial translation. The wealth of the digital world can then be turned into  job opportunities for  restless nomads. 

Constantly adapting to change is also a characteristic of  digital nomads and translators. Translators always adapt to changes in their country, environment and industry due to possible fluctuations in the treatment of languages ​​and the constant evolution of language.

Looking to get into the translation industry as a digital nomad? Or do you need translations for immigration paperwork for your nomad journey? Get in touch with Idiomatic USA here.

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