An translator converts written documents from the original language into the language of the people who need to know the content and who will read the translation.
Contrary to interpretors, translators don't need to translate immediately and they can use dictionaries.
Most translators work on scientific, technical or commercial material. Documents may include business letters, financial reports, legal communications, sales brochures, etc. Knowledge of fields such as law, finance, medicine or engineering and the technical terms they use can be important. Translators often specialise in a specific field and only a minority of professional translators effectively translate litterature. Nearly all translators work on a word processor or a personal computer.
Some linguists work on computer programmes in order to make some quick translations. These programmes are very difficult to set up as it is very difficult for a machine to choose between different meanings of words and the quality of computer asssisted translations is often so bad, that it can only give a vague idea of the original texts. Therefore we can be certain that translators will still be needed in the future.
(Don't forget to come back to this website using the "back" arrow)
