‘If we wish to cross borders, we must
also cross language barriers’
(Lene Kaaberbol, Everyday Miracles, Outside In: Children’s Books in Translation,
Milet Publishing, 2005)

Introduction

This guide aims to answer many common questions about translation and translators.  Outside In World is particularly grateful to Daniel Hahn and the British Centre for Literary Translation (BCLT) for their input. 

Click on a tab in the right-hand menu to take you straight to that section. 

As you will discover by reading this guide, being a professional literary translator requires patience, passion, practice, persistence and of course an exceptional level of fluency in the relevant language/s.

If you are hoping to become a translator, you will no doubt be a prolific reader and writer already.  You’ll also speak regularly in your relevant language/s and listen to it spoken by others. You will no doubt want to explore as many ways as possible to absorb yourself in the language, country and culture, for example through cinema, television, radio and music. 

Work within your native language as this is the language in which you will be best able to express yourself.  Speaking more than one language fluently is a huge advantage in the field.

Read on to find out more about training and qualifications, gaining experience, and all aspects of working as a literary translator.