In a highly competitive job market, the greater your skillset, the greater your chances are of obtaining employment. This idea holds true for translators today. Specialization is one way for translators to gain an edge on their area of expertise. While the benefits of specialization are ample, translators in obscure languages like Swahili, Tamil, or Burmese have a much less saturated job market and thus specialization is not as necessary. However, for languages that are most commonly used, (Spanish, German, and French) specialization in a particular topic will help distinguish you amongst your peers and gear you towards a certain niche.
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When choosing a specialization, experts in the field like Jill Sommer from Kent State University, suggest picking a subject matter you enjoy and are passionate about. Since many translators are self-taught in their specialization, translators should choose a topic they have a strong affinity towards like health & wellness, finance, technology, politics, or law. Moreover, trying to hone in on a specific subject that does not have much competition like horse racing or fishing may lead to a translator becoming an expert in that field. If you are translator of a language for a specific country try to also choose an issue that is of importance for that nation. For example, if you are translator for Japanese then perhaps choosing the automobile or technology industry would be of value given the economic importance of these divisions to Japan.
For those translators who do decide to take on a specialization, advise your clients as they may be able to provide you with on-site experience, course information, or contacts for gaining further knowledge. For those translators who work as free-lance, specialization is one way to certainly earn more money. As one becomes more accustomed to the terminology and materials in a specific specialization they can begin to take on a bigger work load. Lastly, there are always non-profit and volunteer opportunities that provide great work experiences for practicing a specialization. Remember to not be daunted by taking on a specialization, following a particular interest and sufficient work experience will eliminate any necessity of going back to school. The experience will not only be rewarding but also lead to an increase in work as you become a go-to expert in your specialization of choice.
