The choice of a profession is a difficult decision at any age, often clouded by legitimate doubts regarding personal suitability It is a daunting challenge to project one’s uncertain skills on an unfamiliar profession In regards to becoming a translator, thorough familiarity with both your native and the source language, especially written language, clearly is a requirement Beyond that prerequisite, contrary to the impression that the knowledge of the translation process is the key, the most important elements in choosing whether or not to become a translator are subject area knowledge and love of proper language

To clarify, the technical aspects of translating are not a matter of inborn skill but of willingness to learn In other words, unless a person took a dedicated course or program in translation, everybody starts out relatively inefficient and ineffective as in any learning curve While natural talent may determine the starting and top level, technical skill is a largely a matter of practice Most translators, especially older ones, began in the profession without any idea of exactly how to do it To give a personal example, my first translating experience was instantaneous translation of the first four Harry Potter books as I read them to my young [...]