Author: Anna Shakhmuradian
Translator’s work is far more complex that we probably think. Mastering linguistic competencies is not enough in order to achieve in the field of translation. There are plenty of skills that a translator needs to develop. Professional skills (hard skills) are important to deal with daily tasks and work-related activities. Thus, establishing good communication and self- discipline skills are invaluable in all areas and in the work environment as well. If you want to learn more about the soft skills, this is your guide to the 7 essential soft skills that a translator needs.
1. Communication
Communication is significant to building healthy relationships with people. Especially in the work environment, many times you will need to collaborate with your colleagues for different tasks etc. so it is necessary to learn how to cooperate properly with your coworkers.
Also, people come from different cultural backgrounds, share unique experiences and have their own communication code. For this reason, it’s important to develop good communication skills not only to get along with other individuals but also to understand them better.
2. Creative Thinking
Creative thinking enables people to approach problems from new angles, uncover alternative solutions, and think outside the box. This can be crucial in areas where conventional thinking falls short. Creative thinking often leads to better communication with customers by inspiring them to express ideas in unique ways, making complex concepts easier to understand, and fostering more engaging discussions.
3. Empathy
Empathy is an invaluable trait which you can improve throughout your life. The capability to emotionally understand people and see things from their point of view makes the connection between people stronger. Basically, putting yourself in someone’s else’s position gives you a clearer view of his experience and perspective. As a translator this can help you understand your clients’ needs and create stronger bonds with your colleagues.
4. Critical Thinking
Critical thinking involves analysing and evaluating information before forming judgments, leading to more reliable and sound decisions. This is essential tool for translators because the go beyond words to interpret the original intent, tone, and style of a text. Critical thinking enables them to analyse the deeper meaning and context, helping them make accurate choices that preserve the message’s meaning in another language.
5. Resilience and Self-Motivation
The translation industry can be highly competitive. Resilience allows translators to manage rejections, project setbacks, and stressful deadlines with a positive outlook. Since translators often work independently, self-motivation is essential for maintaining productivity, learning new skills.
6. Adaptability and Flexibility
The translation industry is constantly evolving with new tools, client demands, and market trends. Translators who can adapt quickly to new software, diverse subject areas, and shifting requirements will have an edge. Flexibility also means being open to innovations and adjust work based on client needs.
7. Problem-Solving Skills
Translators often encounter ambiguous terms, incomplete context, or formatting challenges, and they need to find solutions without sacrificing meaning or quality. This skill requires resourcefulness, creativity, and sometimes, the ability to consult additional resources or experts to achieve the best outcome.
Conclusion
In short, having all the “hard” skills is important to succeed at a professional level. Although, building soft skills is essential in the work environment as well as on daily basis, especially when it comes to relationships with others. A combination of these both is the best way to become not only a qualified translator but also an emotionally intelligent person.
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