This article is written for bilingual and multilingual individuals who want to become professional translators and interpreters in the United States. This information will be of special interest to students and teachers of foreign languages. In addition volunteer interpreters and native speakers of foreign languages can use this article as a resource guide to launch into a profitable career. This industry has a high demand for workers as projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics job outlook for 2016. My hope is that you will find this information practical and use this knowledge to jump start or expand your career. Key points to note:

Translation is written and interpreting is spoken they are two different skills. Being Bilingual is not sufficient to make you a translator or interpreter:

You need additional training.
Translation is more than word-substitution.
Machine translation is not going to replace human translators.
Know your native language well including grammar, and culture.
Continue to improve your knowledge of your second language.
Use the media print, television, music and radio to hone in on your listening, speaking and written skills.
Start and grow your personal library of dictionaries, (i.e.: legal, medical, business...) Build a glossary of terminology based on specific subjects.
Be inquisitive and ask questions about varied subjects globally and keep up with current events.
Use the Internet, workshops, classes & professional associations to network.
Continue learning via travels, courses, seminars and staff development opportunities at work.

Be professional...be on time and dress conservatively. Follow the professional code of ethics issued by your state or federal guidelines. Nature of the Work Interpreters and translators enable the cross-cultural communication necessary in our society by converting one language into another. However, these language specialists do more than simply translate words-they relay concepts and ideas between languages. They must understand the subject matter in which they work in order to accurately convert information from one language, known as the source language, into another, the target language.

In addition, they must be sensitive to the cultures associated with their languages of expertise. Interpreters and translators are often discussed together because they share some common traits. For example, both must be fluent in at least two languages-a native, or active, language and a secondary, or passive, language; a small number of interpreters and translators are fluent in two or more passive languages. Their active language is the one that they know best and into which they interpret or translate, and their passive language is one for which they have nearly perfect knowledge. Although some people do both, interpretation and translation are different professions. Interpreters deal with spoken words, translators with written words. Each task requires a distinct set of skills and aptitudes, and most people are better suited for one or the other. While interpreters often work into and from both languages, translators generally work only into their active language. Interpreters convert one spoken language into another-or, in the case of sign-language interpreters, between spoken communication and sign language. This requires interpreters to pay attention carefully, understand what is communicated in both languages, and express thoughts and ideas clearly. Strong research and analytical skills, mental dexterity, and an exceptional memory also are important.

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