Spanish Translator Degree

In addition to that, Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world, coming in at No. 2 with approximately 414,000,000 Spanish language speakers in the world – second only to the Chinese language. With the widespread use of the Spanish language, there is no denying the importance of a Spanish Translator degree.

What is a Spanish Translator?

Before we get into the discussion of degrees, let’s take a look at what a Spanish translator actually does. Spanish translators are responsible for converting written works from Spanish into English and vice versa. They have to make sure that all information they translate remains true to the context, style and intended meaning as the original work. Most of the work done by translators is electronics-based and they may work for a wide variety of industries.

How to Become a Spanish Translator?

To become a part of this field, there are certain requirements you would have to fulfill.

Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Translation

Even though this is not a requirement for every translator position, people with relevant bachelor’s degrees are typically more favored by employers. This is because a bachelor’s degree can help you pick up communication skills, interpersonal skills, lots of general knowledge and multicultural perspectives and all of these are considered important assets for an interpreter. Spanish programs help students gain advance level language training that includes all aspects like writing, reading, speaking and understanding. Courses in local literature, culture and history might also be taken as electives to further enhance the overall experience.

As a prospective Spanish translator, you are advised to opt for study abroad programs or immersion programs. This would be the ideal way to actually involve yourself in the culture of Spanish speaking countries and learn their varying dialects. In addition to that, such study abroad programs would teach you a lot about the local customs and values, which would assist you in contextually analyzing the language structure.

Master’s Degree in Spanish Translation

A Master’s degree in Spanish Translation would allow you to pick a specialization that you want to focus your education on. It will build on your fundamental knowledge of the Spanish language that you learned at the undergraduate level. You can take courses in various advance level topics such as research skills for translators, software localization, computer-assisted translation programs and so on.

Ph.D. in Translation

If you are interested in post-graduate education, you might want to go for a doctorate in Spanish translation. A Ph.D. degree would explore the language related concepts in great detail and would enable you to look at its development and contemporary usage from a different angle. The doctoral degree would typically last around 5-6 years. The first few years would focus on academics and courses, while the last few years would be reserved for the thesis project.

Careers as a Spanish Translator

After you have received your desired qualification in Spanish language, you can begin looking for a job in the field. The good thing about a language degree is that you can look for a job in any field, allowing you to explore your interests further. For instance, translators can find work in any of the following fields:

• Finance
• Medicine
• Law
• Computer Science
• Tourism
• Academics
• Government

You might be able to find work as a medical translator, scientific translator, literary translator, business translator, legal translator or an academic translator. Post graduate degrees typically prepare you to take on these advance roles in the job market. You can even find employment with different government departments or embassies, especially if you have an interest in international relations.

The Rise in Demand for Translators

Over the past few years, translators have become highly sought after professionals. This is mainly due to growing international trade and widening global ties. In addition to that, there is an ongoing need for military and national security interpreters in the government.

Computer operated systems have made the job of translators a lot easier. However, the human factor cannot be completely replaced because computers are not yet capable of producing work comparable to that of human translators. Therefore, the demand in this sector is likely to remain high for a considerable amount of time in the future.

Job Prospects for Spanish Translators

Job prospects continue to be strong for people with a bachelor’s degree or a professional certificate in Spanish translation. Those who have a post-graduate degree would certainly have a greater advantage in most jobs. Another factor that would affect the job prospects includes the specialty chosen. Spanish interpreters and translators would enjoy an overall benefit across industries in the US, thanks to the expected increase in the population of Spanish speakers in the country. Healthcare and law would be two fields Spanish translators might want to look out for.