Where is it better to study the profession of an interpreter - personal experience. What exams do you need to take for an English translator upon admission What do you need to take for a translator

Those wishing to enter a university as an interpreter definitely need to take the exam in Russian, mathematics and a foreign language. And in addition to this, social science and geography. But each specific university exposes its disciplines, so check in advance.

An interesting, but also unusually difficult profession of a translator! And no matter where you work in this specialty: in an embassy, firm, editorial office, or at home - just one misinterpretation of a phrase or keyword can lead not only to confusion, but even to an international scandal! And who is responsible? Of course, on the direct participant in the linguistic process - the translator.

On this occasion, I remembered the film by Leonid Gaidai Ivan Vasilievich changes his professionquot ;, and the words of the hero Savely Kramarov Feofan:

Of course, the punishments of the time of Ivan the Terrible, thank God, have long sunk into oblivion, and it is unlikely that a connoisseur of languages will be held accountable at all, but he can definitely lose his job, as well as his good name.

In order to become an interpreter in Ukraine, you must pass the UPE in the following subjects: Ukrainian language and literature, plus a specialized foreign language, as well as, depending on the university, the history of Ukraine or world literature.

Successful passing of examinations!

First of all, for admission to the faculty of foreign languages, confirmation of knowledge of a foreign language is required, then knowledge of the native language (Russian in the Russian Federation), literature and history. In principle, the usual set for a humanitarian university.

To enter the faculties of linguistics, it is necessary to pass the exam in Russian, English, as well as in literature or history. But you'd better check directly with your university. The list of disciplines may vary depending on the university.

To enter the linguistic faculty of a university, it is necessary to pass a mandatory state exam in the foreign language that you want to enter (German, English, French), in your native language (in the Russian Federation - Russian, most likely - essay), history and literature. Different universities may have special requirements that should be clarified directly where you want to go.

For admission to the Faculty of Foreign Languages, mainly humanitarian disciplines are surrendered: the state language and literature, a foreign language, and history are required. I have not heard about other disciplines required for this specialty.

You can work as a translator after graduating from the Faculty of Philology. Some universities have a specialty, which is called: Translationquot ;. In order to enter there in Ukraine, you must pass the following exams of the External Independent Assessment (EIA):

Now the profession of a translator is not the highest paid, but you certainly will not be left without a job. And if you choose Chinese philology, then your earnings will be higher.

I only know about Ukrainian universities. There, a profile foreign (let's say English), Ukrainian and literature and history of Ukraine are rented. But not all universities have to take history. In most universities it is English and Ukrainian.

I dare to suggest that in Russia it is English (or another profiling), Russian and literature and history of Russia.

In the Russian Federation, at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, I once passed the Russian language (essay), literature, history, a foreign language, a mandatory interview in a foreign language. There are periodic changes, then they will remove the exam in literature, then they will return it again.

In order to become a translator, you first need to know well at least some foreign language (preferably English), since one of the main disciplines when passing exams for the faculty of a foreign language is English, as well as the state language, after which they already go additional disciplines that are in each university where you enter are your own, which is better to find out directly at the institution itself in order to avoid unnecessary inconsistencies. so that the work will pay off in the future.

Interpreter- the general concept of specialists involved in the translation of oral or written speech from one language to another. The profession is suitable for those who are interested in foreign languages and Russian language and literature (see the choice of profession for interest in school subjects).

There are several explanations for where the different languages came from. For example, the Bible describes the legend about the Tower of Babel. According to this tradition, God confused the languages of the builders of the tower because of their desire to surpass him and excessive pride. People ceased to understand each other and dispersed around the globe without completing the construction of the tower, which was supposed to reach the heavens.

There is an explanation in the difference in the language of people and from a scientific point of view. Even in prehistoric times, people began to speak different languages due to disunity due to the mountains, deserts and oceans located between them. Languages were formed in different tribes in isolation, one tribe communicated little with others. The greater the degree of geographical isolation, the more distinct the language. On the plains, where it is easier to move around, individual languages occupy very large spaces (Russian, for example). But whatever the background, there has long been a need for people who know more than one native language.

Most modern people not only know their own language, but can also speak a foreign language to some extent. Tourism is actively developing, and with it there is a need to communicate with foreigners, to understand at least superficially the language of the country you are going to. Most often, the population learns English, which is increasingly taking the place of the universal language of international communication.

But for professional translation, competent, prompt and clear, people with special education and experience are needed. Such specialists are called translators. In a general sense, translators are divided into oral and written.

An important quality of an interpreter is the ability to create an atmosphere of mutual understanding and partnership. The specialist must understand that the success of the ongoing negotiations largely depends on him. It should help to find a common language for people with different cultures, mentalities and who understand business in different ways.

There are two types interpreters- sequential and synchronous.

A consecutive interpreter is indispensable in business negotiations, at events where some of the participants speak one language, and some speak another. In such cases, the speaker makes his speech with small stops so that the interpreter can formulate the phrase in the language of the listeners.

Simultaneous translation- the most difficult type of translation. Such translation is carried out with the help of specialized equipment for simultaneous translation. A simultaneous interpreter must speak a foreign language almost better than his native language. The complexity of the profession lies in the need to quickly understand and translate what is heard, and sometimes speak at the same time as the speaker. The most valued are specialists who are able to build competent and informative sentences that do not allow pauses in their speech.

Translators can be engaged in the translation of technical, legal, fiction, business documents. Currently, more and more specialists use modern technologies (for example, electronic dictionaries). Such special software for translators will help increase their productivity by up to 40%.

Technical translators work with technical texts containing special scientific and technical information. Distinctive features of such a translation are accuracy, impersonality and unemotionality. There are many terms of Greek or Latin origin in the texts. The grammar of technical translations is specific and contains well-established grammatical norms (for example, indefinitely personal and impersonal constructions, passive phrases, impersonal forms of the verb). The types of technical translation include full written translation (the main form of technical translation), abstract translation (the content of the translated text is compressed), abstract translation, translation of headings and oral technical translation (for example, for training employees to work with foreign equipment).

Legal Translation aimed at translating specific texts related to the field of law. Such a translation is used to exchange professional information related to the socio-political and cultural characteristics of the country. In this regard, the language of legal translation should be extremely accurate, clear and reliable.

Legal translation can be divided into several types:

translation of laws, regulations and their drafts;
translation of agreements (contracts);
translation of legal opinions and memorandums;
translation of notarial certificates and apostilles (a special sign that certifies signatures, the authenticity of a stamp or seal);
translation of constituent documents of legal entities;
translation of powers of attorney.

Fiction translator- a specialist in the translation of literary texts. He must, in addition to a comprehensive knowledge of a foreign language, be well versed in literature, master the word at a high level, be able to convey the style and style of the author of the translated work. There are many examples when recognized masters of the word (V. Zhukovsky, B. Pasternak, A. Akhmatova, S. Marshak, etc.) were engaged in translations. Their translations are works of art in themselves.

Required professional skills and knowledge

perfect command of one or more foreign languages;
competent Russian;
good knowledge of technical terminology, both in the source language and in the target language (especially important for technical translators);
deep knowledge of literature and literary editing skills (for translators of fiction);
knowledge of the characteristics of language groups;
the desire to improve knowledge of a foreign language every day.

Personal qualities

linguistic abilities;
high level of analytical thinking;
the ability to store a large amount of information;
accuracy, patience, attentiveness;
high level of erudition;
fast reaction;
the ability to concentrate, to be attentive;
sociability;
verbal abilities (the ability to coherently and extremely clearly express one's thoughts, a rich vocabulary, well-delivered speech);
high efficiency;
courtesy, tact.

Pros and cons of the profession

Pros:

the possibility of implementation in different areas (written translation, simultaneous interpreter, translation of films, books, magazines, etc.);
a person who speaks a foreign language can find a very prestigious and highly paid job;
there is an opportunity to communicate with people of different countries and cultures;
high probability of business trips and travel.

Minuses

in different months, the volume of transfers can vary several times, hence the unstable download;
often translators are paid not upon delivery of the material, but when payment comes from the customer.

Place of work

press centers, radio and television centers;
international funds;
travel companies;
ministries of foreign affairs, consulates;
book publishers, mass media;
translation agency;
museums and libraries;
hotel business;
international firms, companies;
international associations and associations;
international funds.

A translator can sit all his life in a small, stuffy office, translating pages of other people's documents for notarization, or he can help countries' leaders communicate at important negotiations. The specialist performs the most important function - he helps people communicate and understand each other.

Without them, we would never have read the works of foreign-language writers, we would not have watched foreign films, we would not have learned about what is happening outside our country as a whole. But far from every employee's work is appreciated – only 15% of translators are satisfied with their salaries. Is it worth dedicating your life to this profession? Where to study as a translator, what to be prepared for and how to build a career? Let's talk in detail.

History of the profession

The profession, albeit not in its modern form, has existed since ancient times. Then representatives of different peoples spoke one more language, in addition to their native language. The key function of these "specialists" was the translation of speech and written messages. Usually translators were used in negotiations or when announcing the will of a foreign-speaking ruler of a certain territory. Often these were people captured during wars. In ancient Russia, translators were called interpreters. Presumably, their role was determined at the time of the beginning of the dialogue between the Russian principalities and the Turkic tribes.

The significance of the interpreters was strengthened during the time of the vassal dependence of the Russian principalities on the Golden Horde - the collection of tribute and governorship required knowledge of the Turkic language. In this regard, the position becomes official, and many translators go to the service of a prince or khan.

Who is a translator and what is his responsibility

A translator is a person who translates an oral or written text into another language. A professional who simply knows a foreign language is distinguished by the absence of the right to make a mistake and the ability to correctly present information (correspond to the speed of the speaker's speech, avoid long pauses, and so on). Remember the dozens of incidents that occurred in the negotiations of the same politicians due to the mistakes of translators. The same "overload" in relations between Russia and the United States (instead of "reset").

Key responsibilities of a specialist:

Translation of scientific and fiction literature, press, patent descriptions, specialized documents and other materials.
Performing translations of oral and written texts ensuring their full compliance with the semantic, lexical and stylistic content of the original.
Editing translations of other specialists.
Preparation of documentation and all kinds of texts in a foreign language in accordance with officially accepted standards.
Scientific work on the unification of terms and the improvement of translation technologies.

The scope of duties may expand or narrow depending on the qualifications of the employee, his experience and place of work. But the requirements for skills remain unchanged: a professional must not only be fluent in the language, but also comply with job descriptions. For example, to have a well-delivered speech, excellent memory for simultaneous translation, high typing speed, and so on.

It is necessary to constantly develop - each language lives and changes, new slang words, new trends appear in it.

If a specialist does not improve his skills, then in 1-2 years of “idle” he may completely lose his skills.

Where can a specialist work?

Translation agency. At least 50% of university graduates work in specialized bureaus that provide oral and written translations from foreign languages. Customers of the organization can be individuals and legal entities, institutions and government agencies. The bureaus mainly perform written translations - these are documents (in particular, preparing for a notarial application), educational works, books and magazines, letters, articles and much more.

Private organizations. Here, specialists work for many customers, but in the interests of one company. Only 1-2% of organizations can afford to maintain a staff of translators - usually 1-2 people who perform a wide range of tasks. They go to negotiations, translate business correspondence, technical literature and documentation, prepare appeals and papers for negotiations with foreign partners or customers, provide information support to clients from foreign countries.

State structures. Specialists work in government institutions or collaborate with them on individual projects. Example: the regional administration is building partnerships with investors, say, from the Czech Republic. They need translators with knowledge of the Czech language on a permanent basis, as the workload is large and the workload is regular. Another example: from the same Czech Republic, a delegation of, say, athletes comes to the region to participate in some event. In this case, a translator with knowledge of the Czech language will be required for a one-time, project work.

Publishers and studios. Thousands of books, films, series and song lyrics are translated every year. Work in publishing houses, film studios, production centers and similar companies requires knowledge of the specifics of the literary language and modern slang from a specialist. Surely you have noticed how the quality of translation varies, for example, of the same series in different studios. This is not about voice acting, but about vocabulary. Here, not only the clarity of the content depends on the translator, but also the pleasure received by the listener, viewer, reader from the oral or written text.

Freelance. According to unofficial statistics, at least 10% of the total number of graduates of educational institutions in Russia constantly work in freelance mode. They find regular customers, collaborate on projects with organizations and institutions, or look for work on popular freelance exchanges. The key advantage of this regime is absolute freedom, the ability to independently build a schedule and regulate income. The main disadvantage is the absence of any guarantees, in particular stable payment and fulfillment by the customer of the terms of the contract.

Where to study to be a translator? TOP-5 universities

The best choice would be a linguistic (language) university. You can start your education in college and eventually continue it by enrolling in a university on an accelerated program.

A diploma of higher education gives preferences in employment, being an indicator of the quality of training.

However, the key argument in your favor for the employer is work experience and qualifications. You will have to raise it throughout your career. And the better the knowledge gained during the training, the better. Therefore, it is worth trying to enter the best university available to you.

TOP-5 linguistic universities in Russia:

Moscow State University Lomonosov.
St. Petersburg State University.
MGIMO.
Moscow Linguistic University.
Russian State University. Kosygin.

The choice of a university is an important stage in a translator's career, but not a decisive one.

Graduates of provincial educational institutions, far from the top of the rankings, can build a successful career. But in the course of self-training, they will have to do much more than students of elite universities. Moreover, you will not get the most valuable connections that graduates of prestigious universities “acquire” during their studies and which help them with employment.

An excellent solution would be admission to master's programs in foreign universities. This opportunity should be taken not only by bachelors who want to emigrate, but also by graduates who want to succeed in a career as a translator. The opportunity to study a language in depth for several years in a country where it is official is an invaluable experience. It will help you reach the top and become an important item on your resume. You can also start: approve scholarships and grants from foreign universities that offer, in fairness, free education. The procedure for admission and registration of documents is quite complicated, but it's worth it.

What qualities do you need to have

Excellent memory. One of the basic requirements for in-depth study of any language. If you are forgetful, then you should be ready to put a lot of effort into developing memory.
Logical thinking. It is not enough to remember individual words and phrases - it is necessary to understand its logic, features of vocabulary and word formation. Developed logical thinking will become the basis for understanding grammar, slang expressions.
perseverance. The work of a translator can hardly be called exciting - usually it is associated with many hours of sedentary work behind piles of foreign texts.
Stress tolerance. It is especially important for simultaneous translations, when you are under constant tension, trying to synchronize your speech with the speaker's speech.
Attentiveness. Each mistake can lead to the distortion of huge blocks of text. History knows a lot of examples of breakdowns in negotiations or, say, unsuccessful film rentals due to inaccuracies in translations.

The relevance of the profession of a translator and its prospects

Key confrontations are unfolding in the IT fields. Many experts say that in the near future, trained artificial intelligence will be able to completely replace a live translator. However, the developers themselves are cautious about such prospects. Most of them speak of such a possibility as a rather distant reality.

According to analytical data, in the next 20-30 years, machines will not be able to replace the work of translators even by 15%. At the same time, the specialists themselves are happy to use new developments, professional software - it really helps in their work. If you liked the presentation of the profession at the Open Day at the university or if you have been writing an essay on the topic: “My future profession is a translator” from elementary school, then you can safely follow your dream.

Pros and cons of the profession of a translator

This specialty is suitable for people who love complex, stressful, orderly work. There are no risks, threats to life and health. It is difficult for a translator to get physically injured at work. But to shake the psyche and bring yourself to hysteria as a result of constant stress and the burden of responsibility is quite real.

pros profession translator:

Relevance of the specialty . This is a sought-after profession, and even university graduates, as a rule, do not encounter a lack of vacancies. The only exceptions are rare, in particular endangered languages.
Plenty of job opportunities . You can work in an ordinary translation agency, in private companies and government agencies, you can translate books, films and series, you can accompany tourists or even stay freelance.
Career prospects . All in your hands! If you are constantly developing, continue to learn the language throughout your life, do not “pickle” yourself in one job and are not afraid of change, you have every chance of succeeding.
Fairly high salaries . They cannot be compared with the income of top managers in oil companies, but they are high compared to the national average. Moreover, with experience and advanced training, you will be able to qualify for a salary increase.
A real opportunity to emigrate . Translators especially often use special programs, graduate from master's programs abroad, receive grants and scholarships from foreign universities, as they are fluent in the language and successfully pass tests.

Minuses profession translator:

Difficult and responsible work . Most specialists are in constant tension, feel the burden of responsibility and often suffer from stress.
The need for constant development . Only 1-2 years without practice (for example, during maternity leave) and you "fall out" of the profession. The language is changing very quickly and you have to constantly improve your skills.
monotonous labor . Wherever you work, you will constantly deal with large volumes of text - written or oral. There are no surprises to be expected.
Low salary at the start of a career . University graduates, even with 1-2 years of work experience, can rarely get a well-paid job.

If you love languages, if you are ready to dedicate your life to establishing communication and linguistic connection between people, this profession is for you. If you want something more dynamic and exciting, and you go to a linguistic university only because of the prospect of a high salary, you will hate your job with all your heart. Before admission, we recommend that you analyze all the pros and cons in advance, and then make an informed choice.

How much do translators in Russia earn

According to analytical services, the average salary of a Russian translator is 34.7 thousand rubles. At the same time, there are significant differences between the average salaries in the regions. Most of all, specialists from Moscow (42 thousand rubles), St. Petersburg (38 thousand rubles) and Vladivostok (36 thousand rubles) receive. Salaries differ not only in regions, but also in organizations - the maximum in private companies, the minimum - in public institutions.

In the process of career growth, translators can count on a significant increase in wages. For 5 years of work, it is realistic to increase your income by 10-15 thousand rubles. Do not forget that the amount of wages depends on the relevance of the language. In some cases, specialists with knowledge of rare languages receive large fees, but usually cooperate with them only within the framework of individual projects. The highest earners are translators who specialize in English, German, French and Arabic.

Today, the profession of a translator is becoming more and more relevant. Many high school graduates say they want to start their own translation career, want to work and even study abroad. This is very prestigious, since in this case the student receives specific knowledge that cannot be obtained at any domestic university. It is also worth noting that people who know several languages are always very relevant. Numerous institutions, numerous foreign offshore companies are in search of professional translators who speak Russian at the highest level. At the same time, the same trend is also here: companies are looking for competent employees who work with several languages at once. There are many such companies.

Most future students ask themselves: "Where to go to study to become a translator?". It depends on many factors, but there is no point in listing them.

First of all, it is necessary to determine the direction of the desired translation. For example: a technical direction (economic or professional in a certain area) will require training at the corresponding university, where, concurrently, foreign languages will be taught in a specific direction. Many companies, plants, factories cooperate in the same business area. Not all translators are able to understand this area, you have to look for someone who understands each aspect separately;
To enter a university, you will have to know one foreign language quite well: English, French, German, Italian or Spanish. First of all, you will have to pass a very important entrance exam in the specialized language. Education (in-depth) begins in every higher institution with a specialized language. Already from older years, students begin to learn a second and even a third foreign language. It is worth noting that not every university provides the opportunity to choose a foreign language. 90% of modern domestic universities do not provide an opportunity to study, for example, oriental languages (or other rare varieties of languages). This information must be accepted and try to contact several universities in order to immediately determine the required language;
As you know, every university has an open day. Those that are most interested in the student should be visited by him. Here it is possible to inspect the base of the educational institution, learn about the forms of education, talk personally with teachers who will help you choose the directions for preparing entrance exams, and so on. It will be very useful to visit each university separately, because it is quite possible that this is your future university;
Naturally, the main thing for admission is the preparatory base in several subjects. So, for example, translators must show a high level of training in the field of the Russian language, history and the main foreign language. The level of preparation for admission must be serious, you will have to pay due attention and score a large number of points.

It is very difficult to become a translator at the moment. First of all, because learning languages in general is incredibly difficult. Why? When studying languages in higher education, you will have to deal with all areas, from the history of a foreign country to creating a career there. However, naturally, every competent translator remains forever in demand in modern society. The business of every serious owner in any case begins its active growth, and the expansion takes place abroad. That is why everyone needs an intelligent translator.

In modern business, there is a tendency towards constant cooperation with foreign partners. And this means that any company operating in the international arena must have at least one linguist-translator on its staff. This profession is also in demand today because many companies seek to translate their official websites into foreign languages.

A qualified translator will be required for business trips abroad, and for negotiating, and for translating correspondence from foreign colleagues. Knowing that the demand for specialists in this field is quite large, many school graduates who speak foreign languages well want to become a translator. If you are thinking of mastering this profession, then our material will be very useful to you.

Exams for translators

To enter the institute for the specialty of a linguist-translator, graduates need to score as many USE points as possible in the following disciplines:

Russian;
foreign language;
literature or history (optional).

At the same time, the state exam involves the possibility of passing only four languages:

english,
french,
spanish,
German.

As a rule, when entering a university in the first year of study, the main focus is on in-depth study of your profile language. In some institutions, a second language is introduced into the program from the second or third semester. At the same time, the choice of the second language is carried out by the dean's office of the faculty, and not by the students. Therefore, when looking for a university that suits you, be sure to ask what additional foreign language is. you have to study.

It is also worth clarifying exactly which subjects you need to pass in order to enter the university of your choice. Some educational institutions conduct additional interviews in a foreign language and involve passing written tests. You can get all the detailed information in the dean's office of the faculty.

It is better to start preparing for the Unified State Examination a year before the date of the exams and admission to the university. First of all, this concerns a foreign language, which requires deep knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. The exam will also test your ability to perceive and understand foreign speech, the ability to speak the language, writing and reading. This is a rather serious exam that requires preparation.

Where to apply for a translator

Now it is very difficult to meet a true master of his craft, who knows a lot about translations. Some translators today cannot find an open position or work as freelancers for a small fee. However, many qualified specialists are engaged in truly prestigious work in large companies, well-known publishing houses or in embassies. Why is this happening? Poor knowledge does not yet mean that a person studied poorly: perhaps he was simply taught by weak teachers.

Not all universities can provide high-quality knowledge, therefore, when choosing a university, you should study its history in detail, look at the statistics of the progress of students of linguistic faculties and pay attention to the teaching staff. If possible, it is worth talking with graduates or undergraduates of the proposed place of study and revealing all the ins and outs of the faculty that attracted you.

There are a number of educational institutions in Moscow that have long established themselves as the most prestigious linguistic universities in the country, where you can enroll as a translator-linguist:

Moscow State Institute of International Relations;
Moscow State Linguistic University;
Moscow Institute of Foreign Languages;
Lomonosov Moscow State University (Faculty "Higher School of Translation" and Faculty "Foreign Languages and Regional Studies);
Moscow Institute of Linguistics.