Do you want to work in translation but have no idea where to start? At ALOS we will give you a hand, so that you know the first steps to take in this fascinating field and can soon get down to translating. What studies and training do you need? What is the best advice for getting started? What career paths are there? Let’s get to it.

Academic training to become a translator in Spain

The first step towards working in translation is acquiring a solid academic grounding in languages. In Spain, the most direct route is the Degree in Translation and Interpreting, taught at several universities. Here in Valencia, you can study at the Universitat de València (UV) and at the Universidad Europea. Within the Valencian Community you can also take these studies at the Universitat d’Alacant (UA) and at the Universitat Jaume I in Castellón (UJI). This degree provides training in both general translation and specialist areas such as legal, technical or audiovisual translation. Alongside the degrees, there are specialist master’s courses in translation, such as the Master’s in Audiovisual Translation or the Master’s in Legal and Economic Translation. This additional training can open doors to more specialised sectors with higher demand.

What do you need in order to stand out?

Beyond your studies, there are a number of skills that are essential if you want to stand out in the world of translation:

• Command of several languages. A deep knowledge of at least two foreign languages is crucial. Ideally, you should specialise in language pairs that are in high demand, such as English-Spanish, French-Spanish or German-Spanish. The more «exotic» languages are a great opportunity. If you have command of a language that is not very common in Spain, you will have niche possibilities. It is true that there may not be as much work overall, but the competition will almost certainly be far smaller.
• Cultural knowledge. A good translator has to understand not only the words but also the cultural context. That is vital if translations are to be accurate and appropriate. If, on top of your command of the language, you have travelled or lived abroad, you have a very valuable socio-cultural foundation for translating and localising.
• Specialisation in a field. Legal, technical, medical and audiovisual translation are some of the areas most in demand. Specialising in one of these fields will give you an edge over the competition. It works just like the exotic languages: less work, but less competition.

So… what can I do? Where is the work?

The job market for translators in Spain is a varied one. These are some of the main career paths.

• Freelance translation: Most translators choose to work for themselves, offering their services to companies, publishers, translation agencies or private clients. There are online platforms where you can offer your services, as well as agencies like ours that call on independent professionals all the time.
• Translating in-house. Many large international companies based in Spain look for in-house translators to manage communication with foreign partners. Multinationals and the European institutions also employ specialist translators. It is less common, because it is a service that tends to be outsourced, but these roles do exist.
• Literary translation: If you are interested in translating books, you can work with publishers. It is a more competitive field, however, and previous experience is often required, so the barrier to entry is considerable.
• Audiovisual translation: The rise of the streaming platforms has increased demand for translators specialising in subtitling and dubbing. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, MAX, Disney+, AppleTV, Filmin and the rest all need translations adapted to the particular features of each language and culture.

Really useful tips for starting out in translation

• Do a placement and build your portfolio. Many translation courses include professional placements, an excellent opportunity to gain real experience and make contacts. Working on volunteer projects (with NGOs, for example) can also help you build a very interesting portfolio. Of course, «working for free» is not ideal, but you can approach it as a way of gaining experience and creating a CV with real value.
• Join a professional association. In Spain, the Asociación Española de Traductores, Correctores e Intérpretes (the Spanish association of translators, copy-editors and interpreters,Asetrad) offers resources, continuing professional development and networking opportunities that can be very useful.
• Keep up to date. Translation is a constantly evolving field, especially with the advances in computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools. Get familiar with programmes such as SDL Trados (which we wrote about HERE) or MemoQ, which are essential in today’s market. This kind of software offers plenty of ways to make translations more efficient, so that your work is better.

Let’s translate!

Starting a career in translation in Spain is a path full of opportunities, especially if you specialise in specific areas and keep training in languages and new technologies. With dedication, patience and the right tools, the world of translation can offer you a rewarding career with plenty of options. And at ALOS, we will always be here, ready to work with you.