Você está começando uma carreira na tradução. Quais são as habilidades mais importantes a serem desenvolvidas?

In addition to your linguistic skills, technology skills and continuing education are crucial. Developing your learning skills is very important in this field since technology and the work/business environment keep evolving.

First, I would advise newly graduates to get as much training as they can. Not only courses related to translation, but courses in other fields they may be interested in, for instance business, mining, oil, advertising, pharma, etc. Then, be patient. Things don't happen overnight. It will take time and the road is not easy. But it's not impossible. Don't give up. Work hard on your personal brand and on promoting your business. Also, stay up to date with technologies. There are many technologies that will make your work better and will inure to your own benefit and to your client's. Your client is not your enemy. Work with them. Speak to them. Listen to them. Build relationships. Good luck!

As a professional, the improvement of language skills never stops, even as a native speaker. Idioms and their equivalent expressions need to be mastered and finding better ways to express oneself is a lifelong process but it doesn't have to be tedious. Films, music, engaging conversations, magazines and podcasts in all your working languages are great ways to help you in this fulfilling journey.

Don’t fall for the AI hype. Don’t do MTPE. Be a human translator. Boycott all the top players and their so-called industry. Don’t sell your services at a ridiculously low price.

Be ready to explore and learn. The industry today is not just about translation, there are various roles and job profiles that can match your interest and competencies. Build your profile on LinkedIn and network. Check for internships where you can get "on-the-job experience". Connect with LSP/Agencies and ask for sample tests which will help you understand the kind of work you can expect. Join communities like Women In Localization in your countries and globally. If you are in India, CITLoB.

Learn how technology can work for you; Avoid doing it the other way round. Don't reject a job because it's about a subject you know little about; use the opportunity to learn about a new domain. You may actually like it and you will need to become an expert in one domain, sooner or later. Be flexible when it comes down to what tools you use. Don't take jobs that won't pay your bills. Accept test jobs to get a foot in the door, but only of the test jobs are small. Make sure you deliver quality, not only on a test job, but on all jobs you do. Make the difference with the machine.

Spend time researching! Proficiency in research is essential for successful translation. Always ensure that you are dedicating sufficient time to conduct thorough research prior to commencing a translation project.

I would consider the option to learn how to identify and use reliable sources of information, such as academic journals, reputable websites, and authoritative books. Verifying the credibility of sources before using them in translations is crucial.

Research skills are the most important step to master your translation and understand the context and how to deal with your text, It is the backbone of your understanding so as to convey the correct meaning to the reader in the target text.

Sound Research Skills: You'll constantly encounter unfamiliar terms or concepts. Being a strong researcher allows you to find reliable sources to ensure your translations are accurate and up-to-date.

Part of cultural awareness is being familiar with the target culture. When you translate, you do not simply encode the message in the target language, instead, you consider the cultural preferences of your audience in terms of alternative spelling, level of formality and phrasing.

The learning process never ends! Languages are alive so a translator is in constant contact with new terms, new expressions, new vocabulary with each project. Yesterday's vocabulary may not be the same as tomorrow's so we need to keep an eye out and act accordingly.

Language, culture and civilisation go hand in hand .. Translation, transcreation, interpretation, content writing, localisation - whatever be the assignment, cultural awareness plays a key role in each one of the above!

With globalization progressing more and more also allusions to and metaphors for current or historical events, people, and pop culture may transfer more easily between languages. Pinpointing the exact target audience is indeed crucial here. A Young Adult novel can get away with Anglicisms and internet slang, a cozy mystery about a crime-solving grandmother probably won't.

If you want to outlive the current AI craze as a translator, invest on this! For many years to come—possibly decades—cultural awareness will remain a decisive skill to separate human from machine.

Networking. People obsess over finding clients when they should be focusing all their energy on finding colleagues. Senior and more experienced colleagues who are well established are the key to making a smooth entry into any market. They will guide you through the rough waters, show you best practices, tell you about the working conditions, give you real opportunities and, if you are paying attention, also share so much knowledge. Seriously, work on your network.

Writing skills are extremely important when undertaking translation work. While technical understanding, research skills, and language proficiency are undoubtedly crucial, the absence of flow and not keeping the essence of the original message can render the translation merely a jumble of words. Hence, the choice of words, the coherence and beauty of the narrative, and preserving the essence of the original text are of fundamental importance.

When I receive a translation project, I personally like to dedicate enough time to write down ideas related to the specific subject matter - this helps me in establishing the appropriate tone and gaining a deeper comprehension of the context.

Writing skill in a other language, You need to be specific with the sintax, with the meaning of the Words, being carefully with every detail in the message

Language proficiency is, of course, a necessity. Embrace technology as a productivity booster. There isn't yet a technology that can replace the human element that you bring when it comes to understanding and conveying the message, including the nuances and underlying meanings, depending on your area of expertise. Something that is often overlooked is marketing. Yes, marketing. How else can you communicate your value-proposition? Networking is a necessary component of marketing yourself. Create a network that acts as a feedback mechanism so that you can grow your business, enhance your competency and make your presence known.

Don't be afraid to learn new tools. AI will not replace you, it'll help you get more done more quickly. Knowing HOW to use those tools, that's the trick. I'm sure translators were a bit apprehensive of CAT tools at first, but look how useful they are.

Depending solely on AI tools may not ensure accurate information. Translators can use AI as a supplementary tool, much like the specialized tools that were developped for translators over the years. Human touch will always be necessary to provide accurate content.

Get tech savvy! Look for the best tools fitting in your workflow and saving you some time, because deadlines are always getting shorter and translation volumes bigger! Try to get a good worklife balance, even if you are working hard and stay focussed!

In today's world of translation, technical skills are paramount. Mastering available tools and being proficient in their utilization not only ensures efficiency but also provides a competitive edge. Especially in projects with intricate technical requirements, the ability to handle advanced formats and utilize sophisticated tools is indispensable. This enables us to meet the demands of even the most specialized clients, consequently enhancing our value as translators in the market.

I think getting a grasp of the industry is essential to start: what market is it? Or better, how many markets are there? Who are the players? Who would you feel more comfortable to work with in the beginning? And then learn how to communicate effectively, to be respectful and polite, but also assertive. Discover what are your preferred fields of expertise and dive into them until you master them. Get in touch with senior colleagues to ask for mentorship, even informal tips are gold! And never stop learning and being curious and open.

Communication with your client is equally as important as the translation project itself. Effective communication builds trust, enables you to extract key information, and showcases your professionalism. Pro tip: Seek feed back from your client after delivering. This will close the cycle of a premium client experience.

Any set of soft skills should considered a key booster and/or tool and/or a catalyst for problem solving and/or developing/improving other contributing key factors and/or issues…

Soft skills required in the translation industry includes the ability to handle non-formatted or barely formatted contents. An example is when your client provide a content with a tricky layout. The client does not usually expect that you provide a translation with a similar formatting or nearly identical formatting. If you do so, they will really appreciate the effort and will be mostly surprised by you taking the initiative. In doing so, if you do not feel confident with DTP - even basic - you may work hand-in-hand with your favorite designer. Translating is sometimes not only about content, a “good-looking” aspect sometimes matter!

The knowledge is important to make a good translate work but to know how to use the cat tools can help a lot the translation professional.

If you want advice ask your colleagues, your teachers, your mentors; avoid AI-generated content that tells you how to do your job.

For those entering the translation field, mastering essential skills is key. Linguistic proficiency in both source and target languages is foundational, as is a deep understanding of cultural nuances for accurate cross-cultural communication. Attention to detail ensures precision, while proficiency in CAT tools enhances workflow efficiency and translation quality. Strong research skills are essential for technical accuracy, and effective communication is vital for client collaboration and meeting project expectations.

An open mindset to feedback, and ability to change are quintessential at the very beginning of your career - consider working with a mentor to improve your skills and learning on the job!

STAY ON IT Do not give up. Keep canvassing. Develop a plan B so you do not have to work below value. Considering all this should be a good start.

If you are lucky enough to start your journey in a well established translation agency as an in-house translator, make sure to keep an open mind and be curious about ALL aspects of the job. Don't say No to possible roles you might be offered, because whatever you'll learn in any role will be priceless along the way. Small agencies do not last forever, things happen, and you might find that you're worth more as a freelance than as an in-house employee. Learning as much as you can would also help you when applying for another job. As a freelance translator, you would also need to be your own project manager, technical support engineer, and finance manager. So prepare yourself for various options as best as you can.