The path to becoming a translator and interpreter

Working with foreign languages – career goal translator and interpreter

During school, people's different talents are coming to light, the students grow aware of their strong suits and weak points alike. Those who show the 'gift of the foreign gab' may wonder which professions suit them best in their future professional life. Sooner or later, they may ponder about becoming a translator or interpreter. But what exactly will their tasks look like? Who can benefit from their skills and, above all: How do you become a professional translator in Germany?

Translators' training possibilities in Germany

Education in Germany is the responsibility of the individual federal states. This means that specifications for professional training differ on federal level. In some federal states, translating and interpreting is offered as a course of study at university, while in Bavaria, for example, there are so-called Fachakademien (such as the IFA in Erlangen). Here, one can first train as a foreign language correspondent, and after another two to three years take the state examination as a translator or translator and interpreter. After graduation, the title “Certified Translator/Interpreter” is conferred.

By the way, "translator" is a professional title without legal protection – in theory, anyone can work as a translator. But beware: The lack of a degree might complicate things as there are certain areas, such as certified translating official documents or interpreting at court, for which a degree is often not only preferred but also necessary. Studying at one of the above mentioned universities or schools is the only way to become a publicly appointed and sworn translator, which is an important qualification to have.

How and where do trained translators and interpreters work?

The services of translators and interpreters are requested in a wide range of fields. In addition to the aforementioned tasks for public authorities (e.g. translation of official documents) there is also a high demand for first-class translations in all economic sectors – be it technical articles or operating instructions, annual reports or contract negotiations. Being multilingual has also long been the standard for employees in culture, tourism and sports. The vast majority of tasks is handled by translation agencies, which can be seen as the link between customers and freelance translators and interpreters.

At the Nuremberg-based translation agency AP Fachübersetzungen, we offer language services in the fields of law, technology, medicine and pharmacy. Our team of highly skilled and well-rounded translators and interpreters with years of experience is available for all "major" languages such as English, French, Spanish, Arabic or Russian as well as for less common languages.