What Every New Translator Should Know – Insights from the Industry

This is a personal blog post based on my experiences as the founder and managing director of TranslationsInLondon and as a former student of translation and interpreting. I am still very much a student of language — you never really stop learning.

I’ve worked in the translation and interpreting industry for over a decade now and have come into contact with hundreds — if not thousands — of translators, aspiring linguists, and students of language. The one thing they all share is a passion for language, communication, and culture.

However, becoming a professional translator presents challenges. There’s often a significant gap between what is taught at university and what’s expected in the real world — whether you’re working in-house or as a freelancer.

This post isn’t meant to criticise university programmes, but to highlight the gap between academic training and market needs — and to promote some essential skills that are often overlooked.

1. CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) Tools

Graduates should absolutely be familiar with CAT tools. Agencies often assume that translators own and know how to use one — typically industry-standard software like Trados. While the initial investment can be steep, many agencies specify which CAT tool you must use (including web-based platforms).

Understanding how translation memories (TMs) work is vital — they help ensure consistency across documents. Familiarity with HTML tags is also helpful, since many translation projects involve code or formatting that must remain intact.

2. Translate Into Your Native Language

Translators should nearly always work into their native language. Even a highly fluent non-native speaker might miss subtle nuances or produce translations that feel slightly “off,” even if technically correct. This is especially important in marketing, legal, or literary texts.

3. Understand Your Source Language and Its Specifics

It’s not enough to know a language — you need to understand what you’re reading. Medical and legal translations, for instance, require familiarity with highly specialised terms. Translators with subject-matter expertise often have a competitive advantage.

4. Productivity and Meeting Deadlines

A professional translator typically handles around 2,500 words per day. This number can vary depending on format — for example, scanned PDFs or text-heavy tables can slow things down. Always clarify the expected layout: is it a clean copy of the text, or a reproduction of the original formatting?

Missing deadlines can frustrate clients and risk non-payment. Be realistic — it’s better to underpromise and overdeliver.

5. Reading Between the Lines

Source texts are not always professionally written. Translating poorly written or confusing content is a skill in itself. Don’t guess — use comment features or reach out for clarification where needed. Communication with clients or project managers is key.

6. The Boring Admin Work

Most translators are freelance and must handle their own admin. While this isn’t the place for an in-depth guide, here are some essentials:

• Legal obligations: For example, did you agree to delete a client’s document after the project?
• Paperwork: NDAs and contracts should be properly stored in case of future need.
• Professional memberships: Some work may require certification or affiliation with translation bodies.
• Glossaries and TMs: Keep your translation memories and glossaries up to date for consistency and speed.