IT knowledge

To be a good translator you need to have good IT skills

A few years ago it was sufficient for translators to know Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point. However, in this day and age, translation service providers must have far more extensive IT skills . When working for agencies, they will expect proficiency in working with CAT tools, like SDL TRADOS, and others. However, computer-assisted translation tools only come into their own when you work with lots of similar texts. If you work mainly for direct clients (private individuals and small to medium size companies) you’ll get so many different types of terminology, that CAT tools are potentially less useful. They are, however, still an excellent method for terminology management.

You also need to become profficient in online terminology searches, including knowing where you can find official translations of laws, regulations etc., bilingual websites published by market specialists, and online glossaries.

IT skills: Typing 

The time to hone your typing skills is at the beginning of your career as a freelance translator. The ability to touch type will save you enormous amounts of time and pain.

Where does the pain factor come in? After working in translation for thirty years and having to look down on the keyboards to “see where you’re going”, you will be using your neck vertebrae and discs to a high degree. Thus increasing your chances of suffering from degenerative disease.

Handling IT emergencies

As a freelance translator it is very important to know how to solve IT problems. You are in the middle of an urgent translation job, your computer crashes/your internet connection disappears. What do you do? Do you have a back-up plan? Do you know how to get access to the technology you need at short notice?

Establish contact with an IT professional before you find yourself in need of one right in the middle of a translation job with a tight deadline. Know where you can go if your own Internet connection fails. Is there a friendly neighbour, a small business nearby that can accommodate you in an emergency? Make a plan, so you have back-up when you need it.

Accurate, confidential, efficient and reliable English-German translations

Professionally qualified German translator into English and English into German, offering first class translation services for commercial, industrial, governmental and private clients.

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