There are four steps required to become a Danish translator: have excellent written and oral skills in Danish and another language, obtain certification as a translator, develop business contacts and gain relevant work experience. Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish are all part of the Mainland Scandinavian group of languages. The languages are so similar that someone who is proficient in any of these three languages usually can understand the other two. Danish is the official language of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and the European Union Nordic Council.
Someone who is good with languages, has excellent diction and is naturally outgoing can be very successful as a translator. Anyone who wants to become a Danish translator must be willing to travel or live in Europe. In addition to translation skills, candidates must be able to work independently, because much of translation work is done alone.
Developing written and oral skills in Danish and another language is the first step necessary to become a Danish translator. In Europe, there are many language schools that specialize in providing the training necessary to be successful in this role. The most common scenario is for someone for whom Danish is a mother tongue to learn other languages, such as English or French, in order to work as a translator. The close relationship between the European languages gives many people have a rudimentary understanding of multiple languages. However, this level of skill alone is not enough for someone who wants to become a Danish translator.
A professional translator must have a specific level of competency in both written and oral communications. There are a series of certification agencies and associations that organize tests and examinations to validate the level of skill. In most cases, this is a combination of written and oral exams. Translators can be certified at various levels for multiple languages. This is very useful for employers who have a firm understanding of the level of expertise required in each language.
A network of business contacts who regularly require the services of a Danish translator is essential for anyone who wants to be employed full-time in this capacity. Most translation work is on a contract basis, because very few companies required a full-time translator. Securing freelance translators often is the best way for businesses to manage these expenses.
Relevant work experience includes times spent as a research assistant, writer or communications coordinator. The ability to work quickly under pressure and to provide a product with a high degree of accuracy is central to this job. In many situations, translation services need to be completed in real time, with little to no delay. Any position that develops listening and interpretation skills would be helpful.
