Education
Fact-checked

At PracticalAdultInsights, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What does a Book Translator do?

Cassie L. Damewood
Cassie L. Damewood

A book translator, also known as a literary translator, transforms the original language in which a book is written into another language. The types of books she translates normally include fiction, non-fiction and poetry. She may work as an independent contractor, freelancer or as an employee of a literary translation service.

The purpose of literary translation is to enable the sharing of literature, ideas, views and concepts between assorted languages and cultures. There are no limits or restrictions on which languages need translators. Almost every culture and country in the world has literary works by authors whose books are in high demand by those who do not read or speak the language in which they are written.

Both new and classic books can be translated.
Both new and classic books can be translated.

A book translator is commonly perceived of having one of the most difficult jobs in the publishing world. An interpreter, who translates verbal communications, has the advantage of having the person she is translating for present and able to confer on the validity of her interpretations. Conversely, a literary translator often works in a remote location nowhere near the author. In the case of classic works, the author is often deceased.

A book translator is commonly perceived of having one of the most difficult jobs in the publishing world.
A book translator is commonly perceived of having one of the most difficult jobs in the publishing world.

It is normally considered a much more difficult task to translate written words than spoken ones because the tone of the work can easily be lost or misconstrued by one or just a few misinterpreted words or phrases. A precise word-for-word interpretation of the original work by a book translator is rarely an accurate replication of the author’s initial book. Many literally translated words or phrases completely miss the intended message of the author.

Book translators must be fluent in several languages.
Book translators must be fluent in several languages.

A successful book translator is ordinarily required to have an in-depth understanding of the literary work’s source and target languages. The source language refers to the tongue in which the original work was written. Target language is the term for the language into which the book is to be translated. Understanding the intended literary tone of the original book is as important to the translation as the interpretation of the words.

The more languages a translator speaks the more projects they will be offered.
The more languages a translator speaks the more projects they will be offered.

Before a literary translator applies her language expertise to book translation, she commonly hones her skills on smaller projects. Import and export companies frequently require competent translators fluent in a variety of languages to help them conduct business. Government agencies are also a popular venue in which literary translators can increase their proficiency. Copy editing foreign language text is also commonly considered a good job for aspiring book translators.

The educational requirements for a book translator vary depending upon the assignment. She is generally required to be fluent in at least two languages. A degree in literature is often preferred as it provides an educational base in literary interpretation. Creative writing skills are generally considered an advantage for applicants for this position.

Discussion Comments

irontoenail

@Fa5t3r - Funnily enough, there are book publishers that agree with you and will translate British English into American English when selling an English book in the States. It's a silly thing to do, as the characters are almost always going to be from Britain, but they will suddenly be calling their mother "mom".

Fa5t3r

@browncoat - That's why I always feel a bit annoyed when I don't like a translated book. I can't help thinking that the original might be so much better, and probably is, since it was good enough to be translated in the first place. And I'll never know.

Even if I managed to learn another language, I really think there are some kinds of context that you simply cannot grasp unless you grew up speaking a language. I find that to be true even between English speaking countries.

browncoat

It is actually really difficult to be a book translator and I'm surprised they ever find people to do it. You have to be fluent in the two languages and you have to be creative and artistically inclined, but still willing to try and work with another person's text.

There are so many phrases and words that simply don't work out of the context of a language and you need to be able to find alternatives. It gets even worse if you're translating poetry.

If you are looking for book translation services, I would be very careful to find someone who will be able to do it properly.

In fact, I don't think I'd do it on my own at all. I'd find a publisher willing to give me the details of their translator, or who would work with me to get the book translated.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Both new and classic books can be translated.
      By: Dmytro Sukharevskyy
      Both new and classic books can be translated.
    • A book translator is commonly perceived of having one of the most difficult jobs in the publishing world.
      By: michaeljung
      A book translator is commonly perceived of having one of the most difficult jobs in the publishing world.
    • Book translators must be fluent in several languages.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Book translators must be fluent in several languages.
    • The more languages a translator speaks the more projects they will be offered.
      By: Andrzej Tokarski
      The more languages a translator speaks the more projects they will be offered.