Training

Legally, no training is required to work as a translator. For the time being, anyone can therefore become a translator just because s/he is (or thinks s/he is) "bilingual".

Translation is a complex operation and a more and more technical profession. If a professional training alone does not guarantee the quality of the work, it cannot be denied that it is very important to acquire in particular:

an excellent command of one's native language (first thing!);
an excellent command of several foreign languages and cultures;
good general knowledge and basic knowledge in several specific fields;
a good command of computer tools and specific software;
skills in document research, terminology processing, translation, etc.;
notions of translation theoriesl in order to adapt oneself and constantly improve one's working methods.

These are the general principles of the training offered by the Institute of Living Languages IPLV, with a preparation for the University Diploma in Translation (4 years), along with lectures preparing for State Diplomas (see my qualifications).

I did part of my course in the University of Kingston-upon-Thames (near London) and my work placement in an agency in Madrid, where I was then hired as Quality Control Manager.

You will find the addresses of other schools in the links page.