Translators convert written material from one or more 'source languages' into the 'target language', ensuring that the translated version conveys the meaning of the original as clearly as possible. The target language is normally the translator’s mother tongue.
Transcreating may also be part of the job and is a mix of translation, localisation and copywriting, where the text is culturally and linguistically adapted to suit the reader.
Translators usually need an excellent command of two or more languages. The languages most in demand are the official languages of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) .
Translators work on:
scientific;
technical;
commercial;
literary;
legal;
and educational documents.
Most translators work freelance from home, either for translation agencies or directly for clients, although some organisations employ in-house translators.

Tasks:

1. Reading through original material and rewriting it in the target language, ensuring that the meaning of the source text is retained;
2. Using special dictionaries, thesauruses and reference books to find the closest equivalents for terminology and words used;
3. Using appropriate software for presentation and delivery;
4. Researching legal, technical and scientific phraseology to find the correct translation;
5. Liaising with clients to discuss any unclear points;
6. Proofreading and editing final translated versions;
7. Providing clients with a grammatically correct, well-expressed final version of the translated text, Usually as a word-processed document;
8. Consulting with experts in specialist areas;
9. Following various translation-quality standards.

Key skills for translator:

• Networking skills: People think translation is a solitary activity but in fact translators often work in virtual teams, revising each others' work or sharing big projects. Project managers have to manage big teams of translators. Freelancers have to meet and attract clients. People skills and playing well with others are a must! Marketing and advertising your work is also going to be very important when working as a free lanceer.
• Attention to detail: There's a bit of the pedant in all translators.
• Flexibility/adaptability: Translation is a fast-changing profession and translators have to be prepared to pick up new skills and offer new services such as transcription, copywriting, post-editing.
• Organisational skills: Translation is a very deadline-driven profession. You need to be able to meet deadlines and organise your time effectively.
• Writing skills: This is extremely important. Translators are professional writers. For this, you need to know your own language perfectly: grammar, vocabulary, style. Even the little things like spelling are important. Spelling is really important for translators.
• Analytical skills: Translators are the best readers that a text will ever have. They need advanced analytical skills to understand how the source text works, so that they can reproduce this in their translation.
• Research skills: Translators may get very different texts to translate from one day to the next and may have to pick up specialised vocabulary quickly.
• IT skills: Translation is a very IT-driven profession these days; translators use email and a wide range of general and specialised software for word processing, file formatting and translation memory retrieval. Software develops fast, and translators need to be able to keep up.
• Good cultural awareness: Language isn't just about language but also culture.
• Love of reading: Translators are professional writers who need to be able to write well. Wide reading is a must for developing really good writing style. Read good novels, good-quality journalism (great for your general knowledge too), history, popular science – the more, the merrier. Some translators even get paid for reading books for publishers and commenting on whether they would be worth translating.

Average salary (2013):

The United Kingdom: £18,000 and up to £21,000 per year
The United States of America: $45,430, the best-paid earned more than $91,800 per year
Australia: AU$55,000 per year

Qualifications and training required:

Because translators are responsible for converting materials from one language to another, it is imperative that they be fluent in at least two languages. This includes being able to read, write, speak and understand a language other than English. Mastery of a second language can also be accomplished through foreign language courses offered through high school and college programs. In addition to excellent written and verbal communication skills, translators must be comfortable using computers and various types of translation software. Although translation training programs come in many forms, employers tend to hire candidates with a bachelor's degree who have received formal translation training.
Undergraduate degree programs in a foreign language are designed to provide written and conversational language skills, as well as an understanding of relative culture and literature. Students are required to complete courses in composition, grammar and conversation. Translation training is often available through elective courses. A bachelor's degree in a foreign language usually takes four years of study to achieve.
Translation training at the graduate level focuses on translation research and specialized translation applications. Students focus on computer-assisted translation procedures and software development. Advanced coursework is required in the various aspects of translation theory and practice, including in-depth second language studies.