When I was younger, I didn’t know if I was a linguist or an engineer (as it turns out, I’m both!). I kept my options open with a broad spectrum of A levels and, at the eleventh hour, I plumped for a languages degree over an engineering degree. After university, I decided I wanted to combine my two interests and become a technical translator. I started out as a translation proof-reader at a large translation agency that offered the opportunity for its proof-readers to apply to train as translators. Nine months later, I was selected to start training as a patent translator.
As a patent translator, it is important to have subject-specific knowledge as well as linguistic skills because you have to be able to properly understand the source material to select the appropriate terminology. As a result, patent translators usually have a university-level qualification (ie at least an HNC/CertHE) in their chosen technical discipline, as well as fluency in their source and target languages. As part of my translator training, I was sponsored to complete an HND, and then a top-up BEng, in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I worked compressed hours four days per week so that I could attend lectures on the remaining day. It was a lot of hard work over four years but it was worth it! On my days at work, in addition to translating patents, I also translated other types of technical texts, maintained glossaries of terminology and proof-read colleagues’ translations.
Aside from having technical and linguistic skills, patent translators need to be self-motivated and happy working largely on their own. Excellent attention to detail, appreciation of client-specific requirements (eg terminology and formatting), and the ability to work to deadlines are also essential. Patent translation offers a great work-life balance as it is very uncommon to have to work outside of your normal hours. There is a wide variety of subject-matter within each main technical specialism so you’re likely to find a mix that suits you. I also particularly enjoyed learning about all the different innovations from the patents I translated.
After several years, I decided I wanted a different sort of challenge and I changed careers to become a patent attorney. You can read more about life as a patent attorney from some of the other people who’ve shared their stories on this site.
Former Patent Translation Proof-reader and Patent Translator / Patent Attorney / Dehns
Last Updated: November 7, 2024