Where to go to study to become a translator. Who is a translator and what is his responsibility. Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia

In this article, I will tell you where it is better to study the profession of a translator - in state universities or in courses. Or maybe there are some other options?

I myself graduated from the translation department of NSLU, and then I also created my own courses for translators. So I have a completely objective idea of the pros and cons of both options.

And let's start with the classic option - training as an interpreter in universities.

Training as an interpreter at a state university

I must confess to you honestly - now the profession of an interpreter has changed a lot. Earlier, in Soviet times, it was a purely military profession. That is why girls were not taken to the translation faculties to study.

That is, there 100% of the students were guys. And now it's the other way around. If you go to any perfak, you will see that 98% of the students there are girls. Now a translator is a person who sits at a computer and translates instructions and legal documents. No romance =)

Another interesting fact for entry - after graduating from the Faculty of Translation, only 5-7% of graduates work as translators. The rest do something - they teach English, open their own business, retrain as dentists.

This happens because the training program at the translation faculties is very outdated. They mostly continue to write translations by hand in notebooks. There are still very old teaching materials.

Disadvantages of public education

When I studied at the perfak, we did technical translation from magazines from the 60s. But these materials were approved "from above", and all training program built on them.

The next disadvantage of formal training is that you are not taught how to work with a computer. Today, a translator simply has to be very good at at least the Word program. But by default, it is believed that today everyone has a computer at home, and everyone can do something in the Word themselves.

But in fact, this is not enough. Creating a document, printing text there is not enough. You need to be able to format the text on the fly, draw up images in translation, and do all this without unnecessary characters, with a clean layout. 100% of graduates do not know how to do this. Because it is a separate professional discipline.

Why 95% of Translation Graduates Can't Find a Job

If returning to educational materials, graduates of translation faculties are very surprised when they find out what a translation assignment actually looks like. They get used to translating texts of 5-10 paragraphs, where everything is written in good English (or whatever?) Language.

And they have 2-3 days to translate this piece of text, so that they can analyze it long and hard in class together with the teacher.

In reality, everything is much tougher.

You are given 10 pages of terrible quality text. There in half of the places it is generally impossible to make out the text. And often there is no text as such. There are some drawings, and inside the drawings there are small icons with which it is not clear what to do.

And the worst thing is the words with which these texts are written. These words are simply not in any dictionary of the world. Or because this is a new industry and the terms arose only yesterday. Or because the author himself invented them. Or sealed up. Or a text was written in English by a person for whom English is not native, and he simply inserted the wrong words, because he does not know the correct ones.

And add here the fact that you only have a day to translate these 10 pages.

This is where 95% of graduates “merge”. Because their life did not prepare them for this. And I should have. And the remaining 5% merge when they find out what pennies they will be paid if they still cope with this text.

Let's be honest with ourselves. At the translation faculties today, unfortunately, they do not prepare for the profession of an interpreter. This is not just a problem for perfs. 95% of graduates across the country work outside their specialty for about the same reasons. But translation has its advantages.

What is actually taught in translation?

Speaking quite frankly, today only foreign languages are taught at the translation faculties. This is not to be taken away. If you enroll in translation, in 3 years you will perfectly learn at least two foreign languages.

I still remember how we passed translation tests. First, we were forbidden to use dictionaries. Which is strange because main skill translator is precisely the ability to use dictionaries.

Secondly, we had to translate dozens of terms from memory. Just individual words. That is, we were taught not to translate, but to memorize right words. And it gave its results. We have learned a foreign language. But this has nothing to do with the profession of a translator.

Why do people go to public universities

Perhaps you, my dear reader, are now at that tender age when it seems that you have to study at a university in order to get a diploma, and then a job. But here I will disappoint you. A translation diploma will never give you any job.

You will come to get a job as an interpreter - and you will be asked for work experience, not a diploma. In general, after graduation, I got my diploma only two or three times. I needed this in order to be a translator at a notary.

But if I didn’t have a diploma, I could have passed with a school certificate. I tell you this in all seriousness. I personally brought our Ukrainian, Uzbek and other translators to the notary, who had only school certificate, where it was written that they studied Russian at school. And that was enough for the notary to agree to certify their translator's signature.

All this, of course, is sad, but there are also positive aspects.

"Career" of graduates of translation faculties

One of these moments is that the majority of perf students are not going to work as translators at all =)

As I wrote above, the main contingent at translation faculties today are girls. And they come for translation with a very clear goal - to learn a foreign language, marry a foreigner and go abroad.

And it's not funny, it was on such a "career ladder" that so many girls went, who studied with me in the same stream.

What are the Words, document formatting and notarized translation of documents. They now work in France as sellers, in America as sellers, again in France as waiters ...

If you are consciously or subconsciously striving for this, then it is better for the translation faculty to come up with nothing. Problems begin if you suddenly, for no reason at all, really want to work as a translator.

Practical training courses for translators

When I just graduated from the Faculty of Translation, I had a problem that I could not translate. Then I learned by working in a translation agency for a penny. After some time, I opened my own translation agency. And then the next problem arose - the translators did not know how to translate.

That is, the same yesterday's graduates came to us to get a job, as I myself was a few years ago. And they made the same mistakes. And one day I got tired of explaining the same thing to every translator.

Then I just took and wrote instructions - how and what to translate, in what situation. Separately, instructions - how to work with the Word, how - with personal documents. And so on.

After that, I could simply give instructions to a new translator, and he immediately, and not three years later, began to work quite sanely.

I was delighted with the first success and began to gradually supplement my instructions. As a result, it grew first to 100 pages, then to 300, and then almost to 1000. And there were analyzed all the translation situations in great detail.

It turned out to be a real course of practical (rather than theoretical) training of a translator. I remember I was still surprised - why no one before me had guessed to do such a course. After all, beginners mastered it literally in 2-3 months, and immediately began to earn “in an adult way”.

Otherwise, they had to find out everything on own experience for several years. And all this time - to live "on bread and water", because no one pays good rates to beginners.

Now I strongly recommend my course to all novice translators, which I called “Work! Translator". You can read more about this course.

Now let's make a small conclusion.

Conclusion

The question of where to study the profession of a translator is not an easy one. The answer depends on what you actually want to get. Learn a foreign language and try to "blame" - you're on a perfak. And if you really want to make money with translations, then you will have to learn this on your own.

And here are two options. The first is to learn by doing while working in a translation agency. The second is to take our course, where years of experience are packaged into step-by-step training. Personally, I went the first way. I mean, I taught myself. Simply because there were no such courses as before.

I had to plow for a penny for several years. And, unfortunately, few people endure such a life. And if you would also like to shorten your path from "beginner" to "pro" - use our course as a springboard.

See you later!

Your Dmitry Novoselov

You will need

The profession of a translator requires a broad outlook, the ability to speak foreign languages and the ability to think logically.

Instruction

The first step is to decide on the desired direction of translation. If you have a penchant for technical sciences, then you should probably look for technical university where in parallel with on or a specialist in the technical field is proposed professional training technical . If you have no desire to study technical disciplines, feel free to choose a humanitarian educational institution.

In order to enter, you need to know one foreign language well - German, Spanish or Italian. You will have to pass an entrance exam for this. Typically, training begins with an in-depth study of this foreign language, and then, with more advanced courses, one or two more languages \u200b\u200bare added. Please note that not all universities have the opportunity to choose students. Most educational institutions do not conduct planned training in oriental or rare languages. By taking into account all these factors, you will be able to choose two or three universities that meet all your requirements.

Each university spends days open doors. Visit all universities or institutes of your choice. On the spot you will be able to find out detailed training plans, possible forms of education (full-time, part-time, part-time). Talk to teachers of the Faculty of Translation, find out the requirements for entrance exams and recommended study guides.

And finally, the most important thing is training in the required disciplines. Usually future translators are tested for knowledge of the Russian language, foreign language and history. Don't leave your preparation until the last minute. Firstly, the material will be better absorbed if you prepare slowly. And secondly, it will be easier for you to adapt to the recommendations issued by the university.

note

Professional technical translators are always in demand in the labor market. Payment for the translation of technical documentation on a narrow specialized topic can be several times higher than the translation fiction.

Sources:

Website of the Moscow State Linguistic University
what exams to take for a translator

A translator is a rather serious profession, because he is a person who connects two different cultures and helps them exchange valuable information. To work as a professional translator, just knowing the language is not enough.

Instruction

International communication is on the rise, and if you know at least one foreign language, you can easily make friends in different parts of the world. In addition, you can become a translator, and then you will get the opportunity not only to speak several languages at once, but also to earn money.

You can get the profession of a translator in any higher educational institution where there is a faculty for studying foreign languages. On the this moment graduates are in great demand in the market state universities, this is explained by the fact that the translation school has been one of the strongest in the world since the times of the USSR.

Among the universities that train translators, the Moscow State Linguistic University. The high level of training of specialists in foreign languages is demonstrated by MGIMO and Moscow State University, as well as the translation department of the Moscow Institute of Foreign Languages.

A few years ago in Russia appeared International University Galina Kitaygorodskaya, which also deserves your attention if you decide to become a translator. Teachers of this non-state university use the author's teaching methodology, while all students during their studies are required to master three foreign languages of their choice at once.

To enter a university for the specialty "Translation Studies" you will need to pass the Unified State exam in three subjects at once: Russian language, history and a foreign language. Most of the universities, where you can get the profession of a translator, force applicants to take oral Russian and foreign languages without fail.

If you already have one higher education and are not yet ready to receive a second one, you can take retraining courses at universities that train translators. Training usually takes place in the evening, and the cost of receiving retraining is much lower than the cost of studying at the Faculty of Foreign Languages.

Interpreter services are required in different areas culture, production and business. Therefore, the demand for this specialty does not dry out. However, is it really so important for a translator to have a command of his native language at the literary level, to be an excellent writer?

Instruction

The translator must be fluent in his native language. Even when entering a university, this requirement can be traced: the Russian language is considered one of the main subjects, and literature is also rented out for many translation specialties. However, not all translators must necessarily be considered good writers, since not all of them work with the translation of books.

literary translators. These are those who enable our readers to get acquainted with the classics and contemporaries of foreign literature. They translate novels, short stories, plays and poetry. Of course, these translators need to know their native language at the literary level, and feel a foreign language no worse than their native language. The area of expertise of such translators extends to literary texts, they are primarily translators, so they may not be as adept at interpreting. It is writers who become excellent literary translators, since they do not convey a thorough text, but the meaning of a sentence so that it sounds good in the target language.

To some extent, guide-translators should also have a talent for literary translation, but already in oral form. These are the people who conduct excursions for foreign tourists, so they should know perfectly one, and preferably several foreign languages, as well as the culture of the visited country. During the tour, they colorfully describe the area, museum collections or architectural structures. To do this, you need to have considerable literary talent and be, if not a writer, then have an excellent literary style. Without it, excursions will be dry and uninteresting.

But what specialists can easily do without a literary gift are technical translators. They are engaged in the translation of technical specifications, drawings and other documentation in the enterprise. It will be much more important for these translators to have knowledge in the area in which they work - automotive, chemical, oil, forestry.

Business interpreters and simultaneous interpreters are just as far from literary language and writing, as well as technical translators. For them, the main thing is to understand the field of business, finance, politics, negotiations. Simultaneous interpreters must quickly and thoroughly translate into a foreign or native language everything they hear at company negotiations and conferences. Business translators work with business people or in large companies as personal translators for business people.

Exams for translators

To enter the institute for the specialty of a linguist-translator, graduates need to score as many USE points as possible in the following disciplines:

Russian;
foreign language;
literature or history (optional).

At the same time, the state exam involves the possibility of passing only four languages:

english,
french,
spanish,
German.

As a rule, when entering a university in the first year of study, the main focus is on in-depth study of your profile language. In some institutions, a second language is introduced into the program from the second or third semester. At the same time, the choice of the second language is carried out by the dean's office of the faculty, and not by the students. Therefore, when looking for a university that suits you, be sure to ask what additional foreign language is. you have to study.

It is also worth clarifying exactly which subjects you need to pass in order to enter the university of your choice. Some educational establishments conduct additional interviews in a foreign language and involve passing written tests. You can get all the detailed information in the dean's office of the faculty.

Preparation for USE is better start a year before the date of exams and admission to the university. First of all, this concerns a foreign language, which requires deep knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. The exam will also test your ability to perceive and understand foreign speech, the ability to speak the language, writing and reading. This is a rather serious exam that requires preparation.

Where to apply for a translator

Now it is very difficult to meet a true master of his craft, who knows a lot about translations. Some translators today cannot find an open position or work as freelancers for a small fee. However, many qualified specialists are engaged in truly prestigious work in large companies, well-known publishing houses or in embassies. Why is this happening? Poor knowledge does not yet mean that a person studied poorly: perhaps he was simply taught by weak teachers.

Not all universities can provide high-quality knowledge, therefore, when choosing a university, you should study its history in detail, look at the statistics of the progress of students of linguistic faculties and pay attention to Teaching Staff. If possible, it is worth talking with graduates or undergraduates of the proposed place of study and revealing all the ins and outs of the faculty that attracted you.

There are a number of educational institutions in Moscow that have long established themselves as the most prestigious linguistic universities in the country, where you can enroll as a translator-linguist:

Moscow state institute international relations;
Moscow State Linguistic University;
Moscow Institute of Foreign Languages;
Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov (faculty " graduate School translation” and the faculty of “Foreign languages and regional studies”;
Moscow Institute of Linguistics.

Interpreter - general concept professionals involved in the translation of oral or writing from one language to another. The profession is suitable for those who are interested in foreign languages and Russian language and literature (see the choice of profession for interest in school subjects).

There are several explanations for where the different languages came from. For example, in the Bible there is a story about tower of babel. According to this tradition, God confused the languages of the builders of the tower because of their desire to surpass him and excessive pride. People stopped understanding each other and went their separate ways. globe never completed the construction of a tower that was supposed to reach the heavens.

There is an explanation in the difference between the language of people and scientific point vision. Even in prehistoric times, people began to speak different languages due to disunity due to the mountains, deserts and oceans located between them. Languages were formed in different tribes in isolation, one tribe communicated little with others. The greater the degree of geographical isolation, the more distinct the language. On the plains where it's easier to move individual languages occupy very large spaces (Russian, for example). But whatever the background, there has long been a need for people who know more than one native language.

Majority modern people knows not only his own language, but can also speak a foreign language to some extent. Tourism is actively developing, and with it there is a need to communicate with foreigners, to understand at least superficially the language of the country you are going to. Most often, the population studies English language which is increasingly taking the place of the universal language of international communication.

But for professional translation, competent, prompt and clear, people with special education and experience. Such specialists are called translators. AT general sense translators are divided into oral and written.

An important quality of an interpreter is the ability to create an atmosphere of mutual understanding and partnership. The specialist must understand that the success of the ongoing negotiations largely depends on him. He must help find mutual language people with different cultures, mentality and understanding business in different ways.

There are two types interpreters- sequential and synchronous.

A consecutive interpreter is indispensable in business negotiations, at events where some of the participants speak one language, and some speak another. In such cases, the speaker makes his speech with small stops so that the interpreter can formulate the phrase in the language of the listeners.

Simultaneous translation- the most difficult type of translation. Such translation is carried out with the help of specialized equipment for simultaneous translation. A simultaneous interpreter must speak a foreign language almost better than his native language. The complexity of the profession lies in the need to quickly understand and translate what is heard, and sometimes speak at the same time as the speaker. The most valued are specialists who are able to build competent and informative sentences that do not allow pauses in their speech.

Translators can be engaged in the translation of technical, legal, fiction, business documents. Nowadays, more and more professionals are using modern technologies(for example, electronic dictionaries). Such a special software for translators will help increase its productivity by up to 40%.

Technical translators work with technical texts containing special scientific and technical information. Distinctive features such a translation are accuracy, impersonality and unemotionality. There are many terms of Greek or Latin origin in the texts. The grammar of technical translations is specific and contains well-established grammatical norms (for example, indefinitely personal and impersonal constructions, passive constructions, impersonal forms of the verb). The types of technical translation include full written translation (the main form of technical translation), abstract translation (the content of the translated text is compressed), abstract translation, translation of headings and oral technical translation (for example, for training employees to work with foreign equipment).

Legal Translation aimed at translating specific texts related to the field of law. Such a translation is used to exchange professional information related to the socio-political and cultural characteristics of the country. In this regard, the language of legal translation should be extremely accurate, clear and reliable.

Legal translation can be divided into several types:

translation of laws, regulations and their drafts;
translation of agreements (contracts);
translation of legal opinions and memorandums;
translation of notarial certificates and apostilles (a special sign that certifies signatures, the authenticity of a stamp or seal);
translation of constituent documents of legal entities;
translation of powers of attorney.

Fiction translator- a specialist in the translation of literary texts. He must, in addition to a comprehensive knowledge of a foreign language, be well versed in literature, master the word at a high level, be able to convey the style and style of the author of the translated work. There are many examples when recognized masters of the word (V. Zhukovsky, B. Pasternak, A. Akhmatova, S. Marshak, etc.) were engaged in translations. Their translations are works of art in themselves.

Translator Training

On this course, you can get the profession of a translator remotely in 1-3 months. Diploma of professional retraining of the standard established by the state. Completely distance learning. largest educational institution additional prof. education in Russia.

The profession of a translator can be obtained by graduating from an institution of higher vocational education in the departments of foreign languages.

Required professional skills and knowledge

perfect command of one or more foreign languages;
competent Russian;
good knowledge of technical terminology, both in the source language and in the target language (especially important for technical translators);
deep knowledge of literature and literary editing skills (for translators of fiction);
knowledge of the characteristics of language groups;
the desire to improve knowledge of a foreign language every day.

Personal qualities

linguistic abilities;
high level of analytical thinking;
the ability to store a large amount of information;
accuracy, patience, attentiveness;
high level of erudition;
fast reaction;
the ability to concentrate, to be attentive;
sociability;
verbal abilities (the ability to coherently and extremely clearly express one's thoughts, a rich vocabulary, well-delivered speech);
high efficiency;
courtesy, tact.

Pros and cons of the profession

Pros:

the possibility of implementation in different areas (written translation, simultaneous interpreter, translation of films, books, magazines, etc.);
a person who speaks a foreign language can find a very prestigious and highly paid job;
have the opportunity to interact with people various countries and cultures;
high probability of business trips and travel.

Minuses

in different months the volume of transfers can vary several times, hence the unstable download;
often translators are paid not upon delivery of the material, but when payment comes from the customer.

Place of work

press centers, radio and television centers;
international funds;
travel companies;
ministries of foreign affairs, consulates;
book publishers, mass media;
translation agency;
museums and libraries;
hotel business;
international firms, companies;
international associations and associations;
international funds.

Salary and career

Salary as of 04/18/2019

Russia 15000—80000 ₽

Moscow 25000—100000 ₽

Career professional translator depends on the place of work. Thus, a translator serving government delegations receives a much higher salary than a full-time translator in a small company engaged in international deliveries. However, the more prestigious and profitable the place, the higher the requirements for the competence of an interpreter. The most valued specialists who know 2-3 foreign languages. In general, a successful career start for a translator can be employment in a large international company engaged in diverse activities.

Translators who speak common languages (for example, English or German) can count on a stable availability of orders. While translators who know more rare and complex languages (for example, Japanese or Chinese) have higher rates for their services.