The key qualities of a great human translator

Translation is more than swapping words from one language to another, it’s a complex skill, honed over a number of years. An experienced translator understands the complexities of language, cultural nuance and the local expressions that ensure your content resonates with your target audience, whatever the language. 

So what makes a human translator truly exceptional? In this blog, we explore the qualities that matter most.

• Mother-tongue speaker: understanding the cultural differences enables them to convey the nuances of the source text, including idioms, regional dialect and colloquialisms to provide high-quality, consistent translation that reads naturally.

• Good communicator: a professional translator provides more than accurate translations. As much an expert in the source language as the target, they can offer guidance when something in the source text is ambiguous and could be reworded for improved clarity.

• Excellent research skills: experienced translators go beyond client notes. By carrying out research into the client, industry as well as the specific topic, they’re able to deliver high-quality content, even when the subject matter is complex.

• Highly qualified: being bilingual doesn’t automatically make someone a good translator. An expert translator is a skilled professional with a Diploma, BA or MA in translation and is often a member of a recognised translation body, such as Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and the Association of Translation Companies (ATC). 

• Subject speciality: the best translators specialise in the fields they work in and have extensive knowledge of the industry-specific terminology and regulatory nuances that keep content accurate and compliant with industry standards and local regulations. A medical translator, for example, doesn’t need a degree in medicine, but they do need to keep up with the latest developments and language used in order to translate accurately. 

• Extensive experience: translators with at least five years’ experience in translating are best placed to provide accurate, culturally-authentic translations, so you can be confident in your communication, whatever the language.

Trust TLF’s expert translators

At TLF, our team of professional human translators and expert Project Managers deliver high-quality translations that align with clients’ global objectives. All of our translators bring extensive translation experience, a strong command of industry terminology and have passed our in-house skills assessment. Talk to the TLF team to find out how we can help you with your next translation project.