Translation and linguistic of academic studies

As the world becomes increasingly more connected at all levels, various entities (political, business, cultural, etc.) recognize the importance of capable human translation services. Having access to very basic information is sometimes just not enough to conduct cross-border or cross-cultural exchange. Rudimentary or machine-driven translation cannot give the necessary nuance.
Of course, the demand for human translation has also led to a rise in the supply of translation service providers. Not all of these cultural bridge-builders are professionally trained. For a highly informal example, a person who has grown up with parents who run an inn for foreigners might simply "pick up" other languages. This person may serve as a guide for guests, and one of his or her functions will be to provide basic translation service.
However, in matters of business or politics, one needs even more fine-tuned understanding. Such fields then take advantage of the professionalization of translation service. Many people who take jobs in professional translation have received specialized training in at least one of the languages involved, usually in the form of academic studies.
However, it should not be assumed that taking language classes for a few semesters is highly unlikely to prepare you for a career in professional translation, particularly if we are talking about a job as a simultaneous translator or interpreter. The difficulties will soon emerge if one tries to translate spoken words. This is because teachers in academic settings often speak more slowly and clearly than most native speakers of the language do to one another. Thus, even a person who has done reasonably well in basic-to-intermediate-level classes may find that, when confronted with native speakers, he or she has difficulty even distinguishing one word from another. Perhaps, if one were to dedicate one’s undergraduate years primarily to learning the language, the situation would be very different.
There is also the fact that not all university language programs are equal. It is quite possible for you to think that your university program is good, but to find out, after several classes, that it simply does not measure up. A surer bet might be to take classes in an official language institute, such as the Instituto Cervantes (for Spanish) or the Goethe Institut (for German). These institutes have branches all over the world, are standardized, and are connected to the governments of the countries whose languages they teach. They also offer informative (and sometimes rather fun) training and cultural events access.

Aunes Oversettelser AS has been in the business for 26 years, and we are specialized in technical translations. We are specializing in the Nordic languages, and can offer services into Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Icelandic. The premier translation agency for Norway and the Nordic region! Technical translation services for businesses in the Nordic countries and translation agencies world wide.