These questions are designed to get you thinking about the subject at hand: How to be a better translator. Choose the best answer.

What statement do you agree with most?

A) A professional translator is someone who holds a degree in translation.

B) A professional translator is someone whose primary occupation is translator.

C) professional translator is someone who translates for commercial purposes.

 

The most important quality of a professional translator is?

A) High level translation skills

B) The ability to continuously learn and adapt to new situations

C) The ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with clients

 

Which statement best describes your feelings about translator associations?

A) I have a solid client base so don’t see any value in joining an association.

B) I regard them as a valuable source of support and information.

C) Do translator associations exist? I’ve never heard of them before now.

What do think about translators’ profession? Express your attitude towards this question. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? You have to justify your answers.

Translation is a creative profession and therefore requires talent — you must possess very advanced skills in a foreign language as well as highly developed writing skills in your native language. But, you can’t rely on talent alone. Translators continuously develop their skills, build industry connections, and work hard to establish an excellent reputation.

Key secrets to success: Practice. As Douglas Robinson says in ‘Becoming a Translator’, “the more words, phrases, and whole texts a person has translated, the better a translator that person is likely to be.” Lifelong learning. Attend continuing education courses and seminars to stay on top of your game.

 

Write an essay of 200 words to the next topic talking about your future profession. Keep the structure of an essay and don’t forget to use linking words. Illustrate your arguments with examples.

“I have made a right choice”

1. Read the following quotes about translation and translators then discuss as a class.

§ “Writers make national literature, while translators make universal literature.” José Saramago

§ "Translators are the shadow heroes of literature, the often forgotten instruments that make it possible for different cultures to talk to one another, who have enabled us to understand that we all, from every part of the world, live in one world.” Paul Auster

§ “Without translation, we would be living in provinces bordering on silence.” George Steiner

§ "Translation is that which transforms everything so that nothing changes." Grass Günter

§ "All meanings, we know, depend on the key of interpretation" George Eliot

 

Pre-listening activities