Translator what subjects you need to take. Where is it better to study the profession of an interpreter - personal experience. Maybe open a translation agency

Today, the profession of a translator is becoming more and more relevant. Many high school graduates say they want to start their own translation career, want to work and even study abroad. This is very prestigious, since in this case the student receives specific knowledge that cannot be obtained at any domestic university. It is also worth noting that people who know several languages are always very relevant. Numerous institutions, numerous foreign offshore companies are in search of professional translators who speak Russian at the highest level. At the same time, the same trend is also here: companies are looking for competent employees who work with several languages at once. There are many such companies.

Most future students ask themselves: "Where to go to study to become a translator?". It depends on many factors, but there is no point in listing them.

First of all, it is necessary to determine the direction of the desired translation. For example: a technical direction (economic or professional in a certain area) will require training at the corresponding university, where, concurrently, foreign languages will be taught in a specific direction. Many companies, plants, factories cooperate in the same business area. Not all translators are able to understand this area, you have to look for someone who understands each aspect separately;
To enter a university, you will have to know one foreign language quite well: English, French, German, Italian or Spanish. First of all, you will have to pass a very important entrance exam in the specialized language. Education (in-depth) begins in every higher institution with a specialized language. Already from older years, students begin to learn a second and even a third foreign language. It is worth noting that not every university provides the opportunity to choose a foreign language. 90% of modern domestic universities do not provide an opportunity to study, for example, oriental languages (or other rare varieties of languages). This information must be accepted and try to contact several universities in order to immediately determine the required language;
As you know, every university has an open day. Those that are most interested in the student should be visited by him. Here it is possible to inspect the base of the educational institution, learn about the forms of education, talk personally with teachers who will help you choose the directions for preparing entrance exams, and so on. It will be very useful to visit each university separately, because it is quite possible that this is your future university;
Naturally, the main thing for admission is the preparatory base in several subjects. So, for example, translators must show a high level of training in the field of the Russian language, history and the main foreign language. The level of preparation for admission must be serious, you will have to pay due attention and score a large number of points.

It is very difficult to become a translator at the moment. First of all, because learning languages in general is incredibly difficult. Why? When studying languages in higher education, you will have to deal with all areas, from the history of a foreign country to creating a career there. However, naturally, every competent translator remains forever in demand in modern society. The business of every serious owner in any case begins its active growth, and the expansion takes place abroad. That is why everyone needs an intelligent translator.

The profession of a translator is gaining popularity in the Russian labor market. What is this work? What activities does it include?

Who should study in this specialty? What is the salary of a specialist? Let's talk about everything in detail.

Professional translator - description and characteristics of the profession

Some people think that learning a foreign language is enough for a job. But this activity is not as simple as it seems at first glance. The success of negotiations, the conclusion of an important deal sometimes depends on the professional qualities of a specialist.

Translation is oral and written. Written specialists translate texts, fiction and other works, documents.

Interpreting is divided into consecutive and simultaneous. Consecutive interpreting is often used in situations where the speaker is speaking to a large audience. In this case, he pauses after a certain phrase, and the translator reproduces what was said in another language. Consecutive translation is also often used in negotiations.

Simultaneous translation is different in that it is carried out during the speech of the speaker. It is much more complex and requires the following qualities:

mindfulness;
literacy;
good command of the language.

In this case, the interpreter usually sits in a special booth. The work requires a lot of mental stress, so specialists work in shifts of 20-30 minutes with an hour break.

Professions related to foreign languages

With knowledge of foreign languages, you can master other professions. Foreign languages open up many new possibilities.

Who do people with knowledge of foreign languages work:

teacher;
linguist;
guide translator;
literary translator;
decryptor.

Knowledge of a foreign language may be required not only in professions related to it. Sometimes Russian companies cooperate with foreign ones. Then knowledge of the language will be a plus for an employee of such a company.

How to become a good translator

To become the best specialist, you need to know many nuances of the profession. For this should study the works compiled by qualified professional translators. In them you can find a description of many mistakes that prevent talented people from moving on.

For example, the most common mistake is literal translation. The goal is to convey meaning. It is important to understand that each language has its own style and way of presentation. You need to feel the language.

To do this, you can try to put yourself in the place of the author and ask the following question: “How would he say this phrase if he spoke my language or the language into which I need to translate?”.

One more thing - you will not surprise anyone with the English language. A good specialist must know several foreign languages, preferably rare ones.

Universities of Russia with a specialty "Translation and translation studies"

The peculiarity of the profession is that translators are required in various areas and spheres of life, for example, you can get the profession of a military translator. Therefore, the corresponding education is in the military, humanitarian, physics and mathematics, and in various other institutions.

Examples of Russian universities with this specialty:

Griboyedov Institute of International Law and Economics.
Moscow State University of Communications.
Moscow International School of Translators.
Institute of Linguistics of the Moscow Power Engineering Institute.
Nevsky Institute of Language and Culture in St. Petersburg.
International Academy of Business and Management.
Far Eastern Institute of Foreign Languages.
Ural State Pedagogical University.

You can enter the first or second higher education. This is the best way to learn a trade.

University is almost the only way to get a profession. Colleges do not train translators. Translation courses are gaining popularity. However, it is better not to forget that a diploma can play an important role.

What exams do you need to take

To be eligible to become an interpreter, you must pass Russian language, as well as social science and a foreign language as additional subjects.

You can get a profession at the Faculty of Foreign Languages.

How many years to study as a translator

The time that will have to be spent on training depends on the choice of program. To study for a specialist is 5 years, for a bachelor - 4 years.

If you choose courses, then no one guarantees you either subsequent employment or the quality of knowledge. But the training period will be no more than 12 months.

Where can an interpreter work

The place of work of an interpreter depends on the direction of activity that he chooses. Most of the students already during their studies begin to earn money as written translations. This can be done without leaving home, via the Internet.

There are many platforms and online venues that require translators. True, you won’t earn much on this, but you can get the first skills.

After training, you can go into teaching, or get a job in a foreign company. The position of a personal assistant provides many opportunities for career advancement.

What is the salary of a translator in Moscow

Job pay varies. It all depends on the experience, professionalism, direction of activity, company.

Novice specialists will receive from 20,000 to 40,000 rubles per month.

With the acquisition of experience and professional qualities, new opportunities will open up. Over time, income can grow to 100,000-125,000 rubles.

Career growth and development prospects

Currently, international cooperation is only developing. The growth of the economy, the expansion of sales of many firms have made the profession of a translator in demand. Many companies are willing to pay high wages to specialists.

True professionals in the labor market are worth their weight in gold. Therefore, career growth and development depends only on the willingness of the translator himself to grow and improve.

Is it worth studying to be a translator: the pros and cons of the profession

Pros of work:

Opportunity to work as a freelancer. In this case, the employee has freedom of action. You can build a schedule and work at your own discretion.
No income ceiling. If you go to work with foreign bureaus or foreign customers, you can significantly increase income.
There is always an opportunity to work or, as they say, "you won't be left without a job." Translators are needed all the time. But even if there is no way to get a job in any company, again, you can do freelancing.

Cons of work:

Great competition and difficulties at the start. It will be difficult for a beginner translator to find a job without experience.
Health problems. They usually occur with freelancers. If you constantly sit at the computer, your eyesight will decrease. There is also the possibility of curvature of the spine and problems with posture.
Low wages in Russia. Not everyone manages to reach the international level in their work, and wages in Russian companies do not please anyone.

It is worth studying to become an interpreter for those who truly love foreign languages, read books in the original, watch films, and travel often.

Translation is not just an activity. It is possible that this will become a lifestyle. It is important to love your future profession in order to be satisfied.

Those wishing to enter a university as an interpreter definitely need to take the exam in Russian, mathematics and a foreign language. And in addition to this, social science and geography. But each specific university exposes its disciplines, so check in advance.

An interesting, but also unusually difficult profession of a translator! And no matter where you work in this specialty: in an embassy, company, editorial office, or at home - just one misinterpretation of a phrase or keyword can lead not only to confusion, but even to an international scandal! And who is responsible? Of course, on the direct participant in the linguistic process - the translator.

On this occasion, I remembered the film by Leonid Gaidai Ivan Vasilievich changes his professionquot ;, and the words of the hero Savely Kramarov Feofan:

Of course, the punishments of the times of Ivan the Terrible, thank God, have long sunk into oblivion, and it is unlikely that a connoisseur of languages will be held accountable at all, but he can definitely lose his job, as well as his good name.

In order to become an interpreter in Ukraine, you must pass the UPE in the following subjects: Ukrainian language and literature, plus a specialized foreign language, as well as, depending on the university, the history of Ukraine or world literature.

Successful passing of examinations!

First of all, for admission to the faculty of foreign languages, confirmation of knowledge of a foreign language is required, then knowledge of the native language (Russian in the Russian Federation), literature and history. In principle, the usual set for a humanitarian university.

To enter the faculties of linguistics, it is necessary to pass the exam in Russian, English, as well as in literature or history. But you'd better check directly with your university. The list of disciplines may vary depending on the university.

To enter the linguistic faculty of a university, it is necessary to pass a mandatory state exam in the foreign language that you want to enter (German, English, French), in your native language (in the Russian Federation - Russian, most likely - essay), history and literature. Different universities may have special requirements that should be clarified directly where you want to go.

For admission to the Faculty of Foreign Languages, mainly humanitarian disciplines are surrendered: the state language and literature, a foreign language, and history are required. I have not heard about other disciplines required for this specialty.

You can work as a translator after graduating from the Faculty of Philology. Some universities have a specialty, which is called: Translationquot ;. In order to enter there in Ukraine, you must pass the following exams of the External Independent Assessment (EIA):

Now the profession of a translator is not the highest paid, but you certainly will not be left without a job. And if you choose Chinese philology, then your earnings will be higher.

I only know about Ukrainian universities. There, a profile foreign (let's say English), Ukrainian and literature and history of Ukraine are rented. But not all universities have to take history. In most universities it is English and Ukrainian.

I dare to suggest that in Russia it is English (or another profiling), Russian and literature and history of Russia.

In the Russian Federation, at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, I once passed the Russian language (essay), literature, history, a foreign language, a mandatory interview in a foreign language. There are periodic changes, then they will remove the exam in literature, then they will return it again.

In order to become a translator, you first need to know well at least some foreign language (preferably English), since one of the main disciplines when passing exams for the faculty of a foreign language is English, as well as the state language, after which they already go additional disciplines, which in each university where you enter, are your own, which is better to find out directly at the institution itself in order to avoid unnecessary inconsistencies. so that the work will pay off in the future.

A translator is a very applied profession and will become a competitive advantage for a carrier of any other specification - a lawyer, an economist, a copywriter. At the same time, translation studies have grown in a sufficient number of activities for a linguist-translator to be considered one of the most sought-after specialists, if this is his only profile.

How should his education be structured in order to make yesterday's student competitive in the translation services market? What subjects to take for a translator? What specialties are open to young people who are interested in the profile of a linguist?

What faculties and specialties can be chosen

As for the last question, every educational institution in Russia that trains philologists offers its own set of specialties. We have combined the most effective methods of linguistics in the training program for translation and translation studies. The specialty is complex, including the study of the history of the culture of translation, familiarization with the characteristics of different native speakers, deep immersion in various types of work with texts.

In addition to the Faculty of Linguistics, one can become a translator after high-quality industry training at Synergy in the areas of Internet marketing, hotel service, sports management and marketing (professional language training is provided).

What do you need to submit to an interpreter?

What you need to take in order to enroll as an interpreter, in terms of the test format, depends only on the applicant himself (the chosen launching pad).

Upon admission after grade 11, a fairly high score on the USE (a set of subjects is slightly lower).
Choosing the education of a translator as a second higher education, it is enough to pass an internal interview (profile language).
In some cases (shortage of points in the Unified State Examination), applicants are tested for knowledge of languages.

For college students with excellent grades, winners of Olympiads / other competitions in foreign languages, our doors are open without examination. We value young people who value and know the business.

Admission after 11th grade

What to take for an interpreter after grade 11? A set of USE subjects for which a decision is made:

Russian;
social science;
profile foreign (you need to take the language that the applicant wants to study - English, French, German or Spanish).

Entrance exams for admission

For each applicant who wants to be fluent in a foreign language, there is an algorithm of actions. For enrollment, everyone must submit a standard package of documents with a questionnaire (it includes information on the results of the examination) and pass an interview.

This is a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics. Choosing related areas, 11th graders have the right to decide for themselves what to do - apply for a place in the specialty of a linguist or go to college (hotel service, sports management), after which they can continue their professional development, being already employed. Enrollment of college students is carried out on the basis of the results of the exam.

What is training

Why is the employment of our college students and students “inevitable”? We have worked out the training program so that from the first year everyone can prove themselves. The emphasis is on practice - speaking, writing, synchronous in the real field of commercial activity. In total - 900 hours of a foreign (English) language.

Our classes are conducted in small groups so that each student receives sufficient practical workload. The set of languages being mastered may differ - in parallel with English, our students learn Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French (everyone makes their own choice).

We constantly invite foreign guests, speakers, celebrities - native speakers - to enhance the quality of students' pronunciation. Our own I-Camp is a great help for the constant development of the acquired skills of our students: it is informative, useful and promising.

A translator can sit all his life in a small, stuffy office, translating pages of other people's documents for notarization, or he can help countries' leaders communicate at important negotiations. The specialist performs the most important function - he helps people communicate and understand each other.

Without them, we would never have read the works of foreign-language writers, we would not have watched foreign films, we would not have learned about what is happening outside our country as a whole. But far from every employee's work is appreciated – only 15% of translators are satisfied with their salaries. Is it worth dedicating your life to this profession? Where to study as a translator, what to be prepared for and how to build a career? Let's talk in detail.

History of the profession

The profession, albeit not in its modern form, has existed since ancient times. Then representatives of different peoples spoke one more language, in addition to their native language. The key function of these "specialists" was the translation of speech and written messages. Usually translators were used in negotiations or when announcing the will of a foreign-speaking ruler of a certain territory. Often these were people captured during wars. In ancient Russia, translators were called interpreters. Presumably, their role was determined at the time of the beginning of the dialogue between the Russian principalities and the Turkic tribes.

The significance of the interpreters was strengthened during the time of the vassal dependence of the Russian principalities on the Golden Horde - the collection of tribute and governorship required knowledge of the Turkic language. In this regard, the position becomes official, and many translators go to the service of a prince or khan.

Who is a translator and what is his responsibility

A translator is a person who translates an oral or written text into another language. A professional who simply knows a foreign language is distinguished by the absence of the right to make a mistake and the ability to correctly present information (correspond to the speed of the speaker's speech, avoid long pauses, and so on). Remember the dozens of incidents that occurred in the negotiations of the same politicians due to the mistakes of translators. The same "overload" in relations between Russia and the United States (instead of "reset").

Key responsibilities of a specialist:

Translation of scientific and fiction literature, press, patent descriptions, specialized documents and other materials.
Performing translations of oral and written texts ensuring their full compliance with the semantic, lexical and stylistic content of the original.
Editing translations of other specialists.
Preparation of documentation and all kinds of texts in a foreign language in accordance with officially accepted standards.
Scientific work on the unification of terms and the improvement of translation technologies.

The scope of duties may expand or narrow depending on the qualifications of the employee, his experience and place of work. But the requirements for skills remain unchanged: a professional must not only be fluent in the language, but also comply with job descriptions. For example, to have a well-delivered speech, excellent memory for simultaneous translation, high typing speed, and so on.

It is necessary to constantly develop - each language lives and changes, new slang words, new trends appear in it.

If a specialist does not improve his skills, then in 1-2 years of “idle” he may completely lose his skills.

Where can a specialist work?

Translation agency. At least 50% of university graduates work in specialized bureaus that provide oral and written translations from foreign languages. Customers of the organization can be individuals and legal entities, institutions and government agencies. The bureaus mainly perform written translations - these are documents (in particular, preparing for a notarial application), educational works, books and magazines, letters, articles and much more.

Private organizations. Here, specialists work for many customers, but in the interests of one company. Only 1-2% of organizations can afford to maintain a staff of translators - usually 1-2 people who perform a wide range of tasks. They go to negotiations, translate business correspondence, technical literature and documentation, prepare appeals and papers for negotiations with foreign partners or customers, provide information support to clients from foreign countries.

State structures. Specialists work in government institutions or collaborate with them on individual projects. Example: the regional administration is building partnerships with investors, say, from the Czech Republic. They need translators with knowledge of the Czech language on a permanent basis, as the workload is large and the workload is regular. Another example: from the same Czech Republic, a delegation of, say, athletes comes to the region to participate in some event. In this case, a translator with knowledge of the Czech language will be required for a one-time, project work.

Publishers and studios. Thousands of books, films, series and song lyrics are translated every year. Work in publishing houses, film studios, production centers and similar companies requires knowledge of the specifics of the literary language and modern slang from a specialist. Surely you have noticed how the quality of translation varies, for example, of the same series in different studios. This is not about voice acting, but about vocabulary. Here, not only the clarity of the content depends on the translator, but also the pleasure received by the listener, viewer, reader from the oral or written text.

Freelance. According to unofficial statistics, at least 10% of the total number of graduates of educational institutions in Russia constantly work in freelance mode. They find regular customers, collaborate on projects with organizations and institutions, or look for work on popular freelance exchanges. The key advantage of this regime is absolute freedom, the ability to independently build a schedule and regulate income. The main disadvantage is the absence of any guarantees, in particular stable payment and fulfillment by the customer of the terms of the contract.

Where to study to be a translator? TOP-5 universities

The best choice would be a linguistic (language) university. You can start your education in college and eventually continue it by enrolling in a university on an accelerated program.

A diploma of higher education gives preferences in employment, being an indicator of the quality of training.

However, the key argument in your favor for the employer is work experience and qualifications. You will have to raise it throughout your career. And the better the knowledge gained during the training, the better. Therefore, it is worth trying to enter the best university available to you.

TOP-5 linguistic universities in Russia:

Moscow State University Lomonosov.
St. Petersburg State University.
MGIMO.
Moscow Linguistic University.
Russian State University. Kosygin.

The choice of a university is an important stage in a translator's career, but not a decisive one.

Graduates of provincial educational institutions, far from the top of the rankings, can build a successful career. But in the course of self-training, they will have to do much more than students of elite universities. Moreover, you will not get the most valuable connections that graduates of prestigious universities “acquire” during their studies and which help them with employment.

An excellent solution would be admission to master's programs in foreign universities. This opportunity is worth taking advantage of not only for bachelors who want to emigrate, but also for graduates who want to succeed in a career as a translator. The opportunity to study a language in depth for several years in a country where it is official is an invaluable experience. It will help you reach the top and become an important item on your resume. You can also start: approve scholarships and grants from foreign universities that offer, in fairness, free education. The procedure for admission and registration of documents is quite complicated, but it's worth it.

What qualities do you need to have

Excellent memory. One of the basic requirements for in-depth study of any language. If you are forgetful, then you should be ready to put a lot of effort into developing memory.
Logical thinking. It is not enough to remember individual words and phrases - it is necessary to understand its logic, features of vocabulary and word formation. Developed logical thinking will become the basis for understanding grammar, slang expressions.
perseverance. The work of a translator can hardly be called exciting - usually it is associated with many hours of sedentary work behind piles of foreign texts.
Stress tolerance. It is especially important for simultaneous translations, when you are under constant tension, trying to synchronize your speech with the speaker's speech.
Attentiveness. Each mistake can lead to the distortion of huge blocks of text. History knows a lot of examples of breakdowns in negotiations or, say, unsuccessful film rentals due to inaccuracies in translations.

The relevance of the profession of a translator and its prospects

Key confrontations are unfolding in the IT fields. Many experts say that in the near future, trained artificial intelligence will be able to completely replace a live translator. However, the developers themselves are cautious about such prospects. Most of them speak of such a possibility as a rather distant reality.

According to analytical data, in the next 20-30 years, machines will not be able to replace the work of translators even by 15%. At the same time, the specialists themselves are happy to use new developments, professional software - it really helps in their work. If you liked the presentation of the profession at the Open Doors Day at the university or if you have been writing an essay on the topic: “My future profession is a translator” from elementary school, then you can safely follow your dream.

Pros and cons of the profession of a translator

This specialty is suitable for people who love complex, stressful, orderly work. There are no risks, threats to life and health. It is difficult for a translator to get physically injured at work. But to shake the psyche and bring yourself to hysteria as a result of constant stress and the burden of responsibility is quite real.

pros profession translator:

Relevance of the specialty . This is a sought-after profession, and even university graduates, as a rule, do not encounter a lack of vacancies. The only exceptions are rare, in particular endangered languages.
Plenty of job opportunities . You can work in an ordinary translation agency, in private companies and government agencies, you can translate books, films and series, you can accompany tourists or even stay freelance.
Career prospects . All in your hands! If you are constantly developing, continue to learn the language throughout your life, do not “pickle” yourself in one job and are not afraid of change, you have every chance of succeeding.
Fairly high salaries . They cannot be compared with the income of top managers in oil companies, but they are high compared to the national average. Moreover, with experience and advanced training, you will be able to qualify for a salary increase.
A real opportunity to emigrate . Translators especially often use special programs, graduate from master's programs abroad, receive grants and scholarships from foreign universities, as they are fluent in the language and successfully pass tests.

Minuses profession translator:

Difficult and responsible work . Most specialists are in constant tension, feel the burden of responsibility and often suffer from stress.
The need for continuous development . Only 1-2 years without practice (for example, during maternity leave) and you "fall out" of the profession. The language is changing very quickly and you have to constantly improve your skills.
monotonous labor . Wherever you work, you will constantly deal with large volumes of text - written or oral. There are no surprises to be expected.
Low salary at the start of a career . University graduates, even with 1-2 years of work experience, can rarely get a well-paid job.

If you love languages, if you are ready to dedicate your life to establishing communication and linguistic connection between people, this profession is for you. If you want something more dynamic and exciting, and you go to a linguistic university only because of the prospect of a high salary, you will hate your job with all your heart. Before admission, we recommend that you analyze all the pros and cons in advance, and then make an informed choice.

How much do translators in Russia earn

According to analytical services, the average salary of a Russian translator is 34.7 thousand rubles. At the same time, there are significant differences between the average salaries in the regions. Most of all, specialists from Moscow (42 thousand rubles), St. Petersburg (38 thousand rubles) and Vladivostok (36 thousand rubles) receive. Salaries differ not only in regions, but also in organizations - the maximum in private companies, the minimum - in public institutions.

In the process of career growth, translators can count on a significant increase in wages. For 5 years of work, it is realistic to increase your income by 10-15 thousand rubles. Do not forget that the amount of wages depends on the relevance of the language. In some cases, specialists with knowledge of rare languages receive large fees, but usually cooperate with them only within the framework of individual projects. The highest earners are translators who specialize in English, German, French and Arabic.

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