Interpreters orally translate spoken passages of foreign languages into a specified language that can be understood by others.  

Translators change written material from one language into another.  

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION  

Interpreters and Translators may:

Listen through earphones to what is being said  

Translate orally into a microphone  

Listen with great care and remember what is being said  

Take notes on what is being said to be certain of giving a complete translation  

Prepare written translations  

Edit translations for correctness of grammar, punctuation, idioms, and clarity of expression  

Review finished translations for accuracy and completeness  

Escort foreign leaders and business people visiting the U.S.A.  

The equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

Interpreters & Translators may specialize in these areas:

137.267-010 INTERPRETERS orally translate spoken passages of foreign languages into a specified language that can be understood by others.  

137.267-018 TRANSLATORS change written material from one language into another.  

137.267-018 FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS are translators who read and answer mail written in foreign languages.  

137.267-018 FOREIGN-NEWS TRANSLATORS change messages transmitted by radio, plus news, and scripts into English and translate similar materials from English into a foreign language for broadcast into a foreign country.  

137.267-018 RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TRANSLATORS change technical foreign language radio communications service telegrams (related to company operations) received from foreign stations into English and translate English messages into foreign languages for transmission.  

137.267-018 SCIENTIFIC DOCUMENTS TRANSLATORS change technical documents into foreign languages, usually specializing in a particular science, such as engineering, physics, or medicine.  

137.267-014 INTERPRETERS FOR THE DEAF translate spoken material into American sign language or signed English for understanding by those individuals who are deaf. They also interpret sign language into oral or written language. They generally help deaf people and hearing people communicate.  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS  

Interpreters and Translators are needed wherever differences in languages are a barrier to spoken or written communication. Interpreters usually work directly with speakers, and Translators focus on printed material. Besides persons who work strictly as Interpreters or Translators, others, such as bilingual secretaries, do some interpretation or translation in the course of their jobs.  

The work involves a variety of topics and situations. They usually work indoors in offices or at conferences. Simultaneous interpretation is generally preferred for conferences. Conference Interpreters, often work in a glass-enclosed booth from which they can see the speaker. Individuals may listen to Interpreters by electronically selecting an audio translation in the language of choice.  

Interpreters may work under short-term contracts or free-lance and work for different employers under different arrangements. In free-lancing, there is little job security because of demand fluctuation. Free-lance assignments may range from a few days for a typical conference to several weeks for some escort assignments. Although the hours Interpreters work are not necessarily long, they are often irregular. Some free-lance workers may have to travel a lot.  

Full-time professional Translators working for international business firms or other organizations in the United States usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week.  

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with the communication of data  

• Activities involving contact with people if an Interpreter  

You Should Be Able To:

• Use reason and logic  

• Understand the meanings of words as symbols  

• Know the relationships of words to know the meanings of sentences  

• Use language effectively for oral/written/manual communication  

• Make decisions based on verifiable information  

• Stay within exact time periods if an Interpreter  

• Have agreeable working relationships with others if an Interpreter  

• Make decisions based on personal judgment if a Translator  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

You are asked to translate for a scientist in Japan who is talking to a scientist and you in Detroit. If the phone call between the scientists is to take place at 3:00 p.m. in Japanese time, what time will you be receiving the call in Detroit?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and comprehend:

You will need to be able to read and understand documents, letters, memos, and other literature which is written in a foreign language.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

You will need to be able to prepare and edit translated materials.  

Thinking skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

If you are translating for a child or an elderly person, you may need to think about developmental or physical needs of the person you are translating for in order to effectively translate.  

Although a bachelor's degree is generally required, many employers prefer applicants that have completed graduate school and, in addition to superb command of their native language, have fluency in two or more other languages. Many employers expect staff Translators to produce about nine pages or 2,000 words of translated material a day. Interpreters who work at the United Nations must know at least three of the six official languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Arabic. Interpreters and Translators in military service need appropriate security clearance.  

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES  

NOTE: A Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond High School) or other programs helpful in preparing for interpreting for the deaf are available. A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 2200 MATH , 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

067 FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Programs in Foreign Languages provide opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in the spoken and written languages of other countries. Knowledge of Foreign Languages may be required for careers in social work, counseling, education, engineering, law enforcement, government service, and religion. Individuals who teach Foreign Languages at the elementary or secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.  

Courses within this program will vary depending upon the language studied. Language concentrations may fall into one or several of the following areas:  

188 SIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES

Sign Language Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to translate speech into sign language for the deaf and to interpret sign language of the deaf into oral or written language for those not conversant in sign language.  

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAM***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

INTERPRETERS AND TRANSLATORS

Some member of the military must be able to read and understand the many languages of the world. Information from foreign language newspapers, magazines, and radio broadcasts is important to the nation's defense. Interpreters and translators convert written or spoken foreign languages into English or other languages. They usually specialize in a particular foreign language.  

What They Do

Interpreters and translators in the military perform some or all of the following duties:  

• Translate written and spoken foreign language material to and from English, making sure to preserve the original meaning  

• Interrogate (question) prisoners of war, enemy deserters, and civilian informers in their native languages  

• Record foreign radio transmissions using sensitive radios  

• Prepare written reports about the information obtained  

• Translate foreign documents, such as battle plans and personnel records  

• Translate foreign books and articles describing foreign equipment and construction techniques  

Physical Demands

Normal hearing and the ability to speak clearly and distinctly are usually required to enter this occupation.  

Special Requirements

Fluency in a foreign language is required to enter most specialties within this occupation. Although there are women interpreters and translators, some specialties in this occupation are open only to men.  

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include speech, communications, and foreign languages. Helpful attributes include:  

• Talent for foreign languages  

• Interest in working with people  

• Interest in reading and writing  

Work Environment

Interpreters and translators normally work on military bases, aboard ships, or in airplanes.  

Training Provided

Job training consists of 7 to 20 weeks of classroom instruction including practice in interpretation. Training length varies depending on specialty. Longer training is necessary for specialties that do not require foreign language fluency prior to entry. For these specialties, foreign language training for 6 to 12 months is provided. Course content typically includes:  

• Interrogation (questioning) methods  

• Use and care of communications equipment  

• Procedures for preparing reports  

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian interpreters and translators work for government agencies, embassies, universities, and companies that conduct business overseas. Their work is similar to the work of military interpreters and translators.  

Opportunities

The military has about 6,700 interpreters and translators. On average, the services need about 600 new interpreters and translators each year. After job training, interpreters and translators work under the direction of more experienced workers and supervisors. With experience, they work more independently. In time, interpreters and translators may become directors of translation for large bases.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY  

Experience may be gained through school foreign language clubs, living in foreign countries, volunteering for the Peace Corps, and military service. Postsecondary education programs in foreign languages and sign language studies may have co-op opportunities which include practical experience.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Interpreter & Translator employer  

internships  

volunteer work with an Interpreter & Translator employer  

community service work with an agency  

Interpreters and Translators may apply directly to civil service offices, appropriate business firms, and other agencies, such as the United Nations or press services. Assistance in locating a job may be obtained also from a local office of Michigan Works! or newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

  Michigan Talent Bank

  America's Job Bank  

  Classifieds Employment  

  Yahoo! Careers

  MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

Salaries of Interpreters and Translators depend on the type of work done, the ability and performance of the individual and the particular employer.  

Nationally, recent graduates of bachelor's degree programs in Foreign Language studies had a beginning average salary offer of $27,267 per year in mid 1998. The 1998-99 average annual salary of foreign language full professors in public colleges and universities was $67,002.  

Bilingual secretaries who speak and write a foreign language in their work had average annual salaries of $31,000 in 1998. The average salary range was from $24,300 to $36,000.  

Interpreters and Translators working for the federal government usually started at the GS-5 level, which paid $20,588 to start in 1999. Some started at the GS-7 level with earnings of $25,501 per year. After several years, they may advance to the GS-11 level, which started at $37,744 per year in 1999. Supervisors and administrators earned more. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.  

Interpreters for the deaf employed by the State of Michigan earned between $24,576 and $35,099 annually in 1999.  

Most Interpreters and Translators, however, work on a day or short term contract basis. Depending on various factors, they may have hourly earnings ranging from $15 to $30 or more. The more difficult languages such as Japanese and Chinese pay more.  

Full-time Interpreters and Translators employed by multinational companies receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; sick pay; and retirement plans. United Nations Interpreters earn tax free salaries. Escort Interpreters are paid transportation expenses and an allowance to cover lodging, meals, and other expenses.  

Advancement is generally based on satisfactory service. Escort Interpreters may advance to conference level Interpreter. Translators may be promoted to manager of the translation unit.  

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

Nationally, the number of Interpreters and Translators is unknown. The demand for Interpreters and Translators should rise due to increased business exchanges between the United States and Western/Eastern Europe.  

These workers will make for smoother ongoing business transactions, as well as translating Internet Web sites/computer programs from English into the foreign language of other countries. This condition has been created by many European countries establishing plants in the U.S. and vice versa, as well as through joint ventures. In addition, 12 European countries now form the European community's 1992 internal market unification program - single market expected to reduce distribution costs, harmonize industrial standards, and liberalize selling rules for financial services. Increased economic interactions with Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, and the Soviet Union will also spur the demand for interpretation and translation services.

Interpreters may work for the United Nations, the federal government, international business, in language education, and in the foreign service. The federal government sponsors job training and educational programs for the deaf. By law, Interpreters must be available to deaf persons in public health centers, courts, schools, and other public agencies. Interpreters for the Deaf may be employed by television networks, particularly for programs televised by the Public Broadcasting System.  

In Michigan, the major employers of Translators are large multi-national business firms. A few employers with daily translating needs hire professional Translators as well as bilingual secretaries. Business employers usually hire native Interpreters and Translators in their offices abroad.  

Interpreters and Translators will face strong competition for the few openings that exist through the year 2005. Only highly qualified applicants who have a second skill or professional competency (such as legal, secretarial, or managerial) will find employment when openings occur. Most openings in Michigan will result from the need to replace those who retire or leave their positions for other reasons.  

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.  

SUMMARY PROFILE  

The occupation of Interpreter/Translator can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development