What’s Changing in Translation?

Traditional skills for translators, such as language proficiency and basic translation techniques, are no longer enough in today’s fast-evolving world. Many organizations are adopting advanced technologies, such as machine translation (MT) and artificial intelligence (AI), which can automate basic translation tasks like translating large blocks of text or handling common language pairs.

However, human translators remain essential. Technology can handle repetitive tasks, but it cannot replace the uniquely human abilities that translators bring—like understanding cultural nuances, interpreting context, and managing complex projects. To stay relevant, translators need to expand their skills to adapt to new demands in the industry.

10 New Skills Translators Need

To thrive in this changing environment, translators must develop more advanced skills. These include:

1. Cultural Awareness: Translators need a deep understanding of cultural contexts, not just languages, to create translations that resonate with different audiences.
2. Data Acumen: Being able to use and understand data related to translation quality, workflow efficiency, and customer feedback will help translators improve their work.
3. Cross-functional Collaboration: Working closely with other teams (e.g., marketing, product development, legal) to ensure translations fit broader organizational goals.
4. Decision Making: Translators will need to make quick, smart decisions, such as when to rely on automated tools versus applying human expertise for complex texts.
5. Adopting New Technology: Embracing AI, machine translation tools, and other digital advancements to improve translation efficiency and quality.
6. Financial Understanding: Knowing the business side of translation, including pricing models and the cost-benefit of using certain tools or approaches.
7. Process Improvement: Translators need to improve their workflows, adopting agile or lean processes to handle projects more efficiently.
8. Client-Centric Thinking: Putting clients' needs first by delivering translations that not only meet the technical requirements but also align with the client’s voice, brand, and objectives.
9. Growth Mindset: Being open to continuously learning and adapting to new tools, technologies, and best practices.
10. Coaching and Mentoring: Helping less-experienced translators grow their skills or assisting clients in understanding the translation process better.

These skills are more about understanding the bigger picture—how translation fits into business goals—while also adapting to new technology and improving collaboration with other teams. Translators who have these skills are better able to meet the growing demands of the industry.

The Future Roles of Translators

Like project managers, translators will play new roles that focus on their human expertise, rather than just delivering word-for-word translations. Three potential roles for future translators could be:

1. The Teacher: This type of translator helps both clients and fellow translators understand the complexities of translation, including cultural nuances, translation processes, and how to effectively use tools like machine translation. They guide how to best use translation technology while ensuring quality.
2. The Fixer: This translator steps in to solve complex translation challenges. They manage tricky translations that involve highly specialized fields (e.g., legal, medical, technical), or projects with tight deadlines that require high levels of accuracy. The Fixer can creatively handle difficult texts that machines struggle with, such as idiomatic expressions or culturally specific references.
3. The Orchestrator: This translator manages large, cross-functional translation projects that involve many different stakeholders (e.g., marketing, legal, and product teams). They ensure that the translation process is aligned with broader business strategies, coordinate between different teams, and oversee resource allocation. The Orchestrator focuses on making sure the translations fit seamlessly into a company’s overall messaging and objectives.

Conclusion

To stay relevant and valuable in the future, translators will need to move beyond traditional skills and develop new capabilities that align with today’s fast-changing world. While machines can increasingly handle basic translation tasks, translators’ real value will come from their ability to think strategically, collaborate effectively, and adapt to new technologies. Organizations that invest in developing these next-generation skills for their translators will be better equipped to handle the challenges of modern translation.

Note: This article has been adapted from an original piece on project management to better align with the translation industry, highlighting the practical applications of AI in our daily operations.