One thing I realised being in the translation & interpreting industry for two decades is it’s not all about mastering multiple languages. Yes, linguistic fluency is crucial, but another set of skills often takes centre stage – the ‘soft skills’.
Sure, knowing the ins and outs of a language is important, but so is the ability to work in a team, manage time, or resolve conflicts. They’re not typically something I’d see on a certificate, but they make all the difference in my day-to-day work.
According to Forbes, there are 11 essential soft skills that employers highly value. And here’s how I’ve seen them in action in my career:
1. Leadership: Steering interpretation projects, guiding teams, and influencing positive outcomes.
2. Ownership: Taking full responsibility for the accuracy and context of my translations, owning my work from start to finish.
3. Teamwork: Collaborating with fellow translators and interpreters, sharing knowledge and supporting each other.
4. Open communication: Keeping lines of communication open with clients and teams, ensuring clarity and mutual understanding.
5. Problem-solving: Working through complex translations, and finding the best solutions to linguistic challenges.
6. Time management: Juggling tight deadlines, multiple projects, and making sure each one gets the attention it deserves.
7. Adaptability: Being flexible and embracing changes, whether it’s evolving language trends or new tech in the field.
8. Critical thinking: Applying logic and reasoning in interpreting tasks, making judgement calls when direct translations aren’t possible.
9. Creativity: In simultaneous interpretation, time is of the essence, and creativity plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and accurate process. By creatively adapting language and using analogies, we can make difficult concepts more accessible and relatable to the audience in real-time, despite the pressure of the ticking clock.
10. Emotional intelligence: Recognising and navigating sensitive cultural nuances, understanding client emotions, and responding in a considerate manner.
11. Conflict resolution: Handling disagreements professionally, whether it’s over translation choices or project direction, aiming for consensus and understanding.
So while we continue to sharpen our expertise in any field, let’s not forget to give our soft skills some love too. After all, they’re what make us not just good, but great, individuals, personally and professionally! 🏆
I’d love to know, how you apply these skills in your work. Let’s share and learn from each other! 💬