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Mary had a little lamb its fleece was white as snow…it followed her to school one day, which was against the rules.

This snippet from an English nursery rhyme seems simple enough. However, when translating it into another language or culture, things might not be so simple. For example: was the lamb a girl or boy? What was against the rules, the lamb going to school, or the girl?

While this may seem silly to many, it is not a laughing matter in the world of translation. In fact, gender issues create a whole lot of questions during translation that are not only challenging because a mistranslation could change textual meaning, but it could go so far as to cause offense.

A Look at Three Main Gender Issues

Grammatical Gender: Grammatical gender refers to gender assigned to nouns. Some languages do this and others do not. Two main problems arise when translating between these two systems:

• The source language uses a gender-specific article or pronoun, but the target language does not have such. There are times when the gendered use of “you” may be grammatical only, but there may be other times when it is important that the “you” refers to a boy or girl given the context of the text. Since English does not have a gender-specific word for you, the translator must address this issue.
• The source language does not have a gender-specific article or pronoun, but the target language does. While English may just say sun or girl, putting an “el” before sol or a “la’ before fille is not an issue when translating into Spanish or French. The issue arises when the gender in not specified in the source language and it could change the context in the target language. Consider “I do”; no gender is associated with the pronoun “I” in many languages not only must the pronoun be gender specific, but the verb form of “do” must be conjugated based on gender as well.

Semantic Gender: Semantic gender refers to the male and female nouns as distinguished by biology. While this seems self-explanatory, there are issues that have arisen. For example, a cat in English is only addressed as “he” or “she” if the gender is known, otherwise, the cat is referred to as an “it”. This option does not exist in many languages. Making things more difficult, several cultures are trying to do away with gender altogether and are coming up with transgender pronouns such as “zie, zim, zir, zis, and zieself” instead of “she/she, him/her, his/her, his/hers, himself/herself”. Since not even the queer community can agree on their choice of gender-neutral pronoun, translators could run into some interesting dilemmas in the years to come.

Social Gender: Social gender refers to the biological gender that is assumed based upon a noun use and the society in which it was used. The distinction between sex, gender, and roles are not as clear as they once were, yet, in a linguistic sense, the lines have not been adjusted. For instance, the English word “secretary” once implied that the position was held by a male, this is no longer the case. In other cultures, the word “cook” or “maid” will have a distinctive gender assignment, culturally.

Many social-gender roles have deep historic and cultural roots, and, though they are often highly stereotyped, the contextual issues associated with translation cannot be overstated. Complicating matters, the cultures, context, and ideology behind the gender assignment change making the translation all the more difficult.

When choosing a translator, ensure they have the cultural and linguistic expertise in both the source and target language to deal with the gender issues that are an important part of the translating culture.

Technology is definitely one of the fastest growing careers out there. Career in technology has several benefits and a high salary is one of them. A young professional or fresh graduate has several exciting options to choose from in the technology field, such as DevOp training, Data Science courses, AI & ML courses, etc. You can have a career in technology in many different places, such as fast-paced startups, innovative tech companies, and small IT departments. In this article, we have covered the top 15 high-paying careers in technology.

IT Careers and the ‘Information Revolution’

The ‘Information Revolution’ has opened up many career opportunities in IT. The most significant benefit of the Information Revolution is the ability to process and store vast amounts of data quickly and more efficiently than ever before. This benefit has allowed organizations to make more informed decisions, offer better customer service, and improve organizational performance.

The Information Revolution has opened up many career opportunities for IT professionals. As more and more businesses and organizations move towards digital operations, the demand for IT professionals with the skills to support these operations is skyrocketing. Many experts predict that the need for IT workers will grow at an unprecedented rate in the coming years.

IT Career Outlook, Jobs, and Salary Ranges

The IT career outlook is strong. IT job opportunities are expected to grow 14% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increased use of mobile devices, the widespread adoption of cloud computing, and the need for data security drive this growth.

IT jobs are varied and require different levels of skill and experience. Some popular IT jobs include web developers, network administrators, software engineers, computer systems analysts, information security analysts, and database administrators.

In general, IT salaries are higher than the average for all occupations in the US.

IT Career Advice [Certifications, Education, Etc.]

• You can take many different paths to enter the IT field, but one of the most important things you can do is get certified. Certification from an accredited institution will show potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job. You can get certified in many areas of IT, from networking to security to cloud computing. This certification benefit can give you a competitive edge and be a great way to advance your career.
• Take online courses or enroll in a formal IT program at a college or university. A degree in IT or a related field can open doors and help you stand out from the competition.
• Join an IT professional organization such as the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
• Networking and staying up-to-date with the latest technology can be invaluable.
• Get hands-on experience with the latest technologies. The more experience you have in a particular area, the more valuable you can be to employers.
• Develop a robust set of soft skills. Many employers are now emphasizing the importance of soft skills, such as communication and problem-solving. Having a solid set of these skills can be invaluable.

Once you have completed your certification, education, and skills, it’s time to start looking for IT jobs.

IT Degree Options [Earning Your Master’s Degree Online]

Many reasons to consider earning your master’s degree in information technology online. You may be already working in IT and want to further your career. Or you’re looking to switch to IT from another field. Either way, an online IT degree can give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this growing industry.

Depending on your interests and goals, there are various online IT degree programs to choose from.

For example, you could pursue a degree in computer science, which would give you a strong foundation in the principles of computing. Or you could choose a more specific degree program, such as web development or network security. Whichever route you choose, you can tailor your studies to your specific interests and career goals.

There are countless ways a person can become a professional translator – so much so that even among those who specialise in the same subject areas, it’s possible to find skilled individuals with entirely different qualifications, working histories and interests.
Despite this, though, almost everyone that excels in the vocation of professional translator has a few important characteristics in common. These include the ability to manage time effectively and work flexibly, an exacting attention to detail, a willingness to throw themselves into a project 110%, and, of course, a love and passion for their chosen languages.
Today’s translation and interpreting sector is booming, with globalisation driving demand for skilled modern language professionals among businesses of all sizes and sectors. This has made it easier than ever for people in all walks of life to find work as translators, whether they approach this as a wholesale career change or simply a means of earning a little extra on the side. Without the aforementioned aptitudes, however, this might be short-lived!
In this guide, we’ll be exploring the challenges faced by those who enter the world of translation, as well as the factors that can win them a competitive advantage in a fast-moving, demanding line of work.

Is background important?

It goes without saying that individuals who are exposed to multiple languages and cultures from an early age are often best primed to become translators, as they enjoy both a deep-rooted knowledge of the languages themselves and an understanding of everyday life in the locales where they’re spoken.
This was the case for Beatriz Candil Garcia, a translator for London Translations who works with texts in English, Spanish, Italian and French. “I actually started my career as a mistake,” she says. “It wasn’t planned. Every three or four years my family moved country, so I got to learn new languages. When I first started working in the defence industry, I was always asked to translate documents because it was so difficult to find anyone with the language skills – and clearance – these projects demanded. And I realised that I liked it.”
For obvious reasons, this kind of background has produced many world-class translators. The case was different for Martyn Glenville-Sutherland, another London Translations freelancer who was taught French by his mother – a primary school teacher – in much the same way he was taught Latin in school: “Only when I studied French and Italian at university did I spend a year abroad,” he says.

What education is required?

To become a translator today, qualifications and accreditation are not mandatory. In fact, university and college courses dedicated to translation are relatively new. Beatriz, who holds multiple diplomas in subjects as diverse as legal and audiovisual translation, feels it’s no less important to have the motivation to learn outside of an academic environment.
She does, however, add: “When I realised that this is what I wanted to do, and that I only wanted to work on translations that I liked, I decided I wanted to be as well prepared as possible. And with universities coming up with courses, I figured there was something I could learn.”
Martyn, conversely, embarked upon a career as a French and German teacher after completing his degree, and pursued this for many years before making a switch. “When I started translating, I just jumped straight in as a freelancer,” he says. “I started pitching my skills to clients and carrying out quality work on time, and from there on it was word of mouth.”
Today, any budding translator can sign up to a website such as ProZ and begin ‘bidding’ for work, or else look for jobs through other channels. However, both Beatriz and Martyn agree that those who are successful are those with good enough judgement to say no to jobs that exceed their capabilities. “I never accept a job that I cannot meet with regards to deadlines, quality or content,” says Beatriz.

Does a translator need prior experience?

Some translation projects require highly technical knowledge of a subject area, so prior experience is invaluable. One potential pitfall for beginners, however, is that a lack thereof won’t always stop them from getting a job – even in cases where they could end up struggling.
“People often hire cheaper translators without looking up how much experience they have, then a few projects down the line they contact me to fix their mistakes,” says Beatriz. “When I get the document, I say wow – this is a very complex text! I’ve never done a translation in an area I haven’t worked in.”

What are the best personal qualities to have?

There are a number of personal qualities that are common to the best translators, but the ability to manage time effectively and commit oneself to the job at hand are perhaps the two most prevalent. “When a big project comes in, I make sure I have no family commitments,” says Beatriz. “I start looking at documents as soon as I take a job and work out how long it will take me, then I add to the time for things going wrong.”
Martyn agrees: “When you accept a job, you accept that you’ll have to work long hours to get it finished. You know that’s going to happen – it should never come as a surprise. As a translator, I manage my time more than I ever did when I taught.”
Both translators agree that having to burn the midnight oil is simply in the nature of the work. For those who want to work nine to five every day, translating might be a poor career choice. There are positives, however – as Martyn puts it: “I have more free time because I create more free time.”
Beatriz concurs: “It gives you more freedom in the long term. But you have to be prepared to let everything go and focus on your work. That means not counting hours – I don’t care if you’ve had lunch or slept!

Do you have what it takes to be a successful accountant? For a rewarding accounting career, possessing certain qualities and personality traits is a must. These accountant qualities and traits can help you thrive while earning your bachelor’s degree in accounting and when you’re on the job after graduation.

1. YOU SHINE BEHIND THE SCENES.

Accountants are at their best staying behind the scenes rather than being in the spotlight at work. If you enjoy doing your part from the sidelines instead of on the playing field, accounting could be the right career path for you. Accountants perform their work quietly without a lot of recognition, but they play a crucial role in helping businesses maintain good financial health.

2. YOU’RE DETAIL-ORIENTED.

Working as an accountant involves paying close attention to detail. Even the smallest error can result in major money problems for businesses or individuals. If you’re the type of person who has an eye for detail and the ability to quickly find information you need, being an accountant could be your calling.

3. YOU CAN THINK OF MONEY AS NUMBERS.

Money can have an emotional value, often influencing whether people tend to save or splurge. For the ideal accountant, though, money represents numbers or figures to manage. Regarding money this way helps accountants take the emotion out of managing finances. Being able to think of money in terms of numbers only is among the most important qualities of an accountant.

4. YOU’RE TECH-SAVVY.

An accounting career involves doing a lot of calculations, but it’s not just about math. Accountants need to be comfortable working with software and other tech tools that handle these calculations. Being a pro at creating and updating spreadsheets and being a quick learner when it comes to technology can give you a definite advantage in the accounting field.

5. YOU HAVE A STRONG WORK ETHIC.

To succeed in accounting, you’ll need to have a solid work ethic. Accountants sometimes work long hours, or they’re expected to be available more often during certain periods, such as during tax season. If you have a strong commitment to finishing projects, even when they take much longer than usual or require extra effort, this is an essential quality to have as an accountant.

6. YOU VALUE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY.

Having integrity both personally and professionally is highly important in accounting. Whether you work for a business or run your own accounting firm, your employers or clients need to be able to trust you with their financial information. If other people in your life know that you’re honest and that they can trust you with sensitive information, you might consider becoming an accountant.

7. YOU HAVE GREAT COMMUNICATION SKILLS.

Communication is one of the soft skills that might not seem all that important for accountants. However, being an accountant means having to explain finances and financial information to clients or co-workers who aren’t familiar with accounting terms. If you’re good at explaining difficult or complicated concepts in simple, easy-to-understand terms, this is an excellent quality to have as an accountant.

8. YOU’RE A TEAM PLAYER.

Being able to work well with others can help you thrive in accounting. Accountants often have to work as part of a team with other accounting employees as well as employees in other departments. If you manage an accounting team or department, having leadership skills is also crucial. Your leadership skills can make it easier to train and mentor others and manage your team effectively and efficiently.

9. YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING.

If you love figuring out puzzles and challenging your brain in other ways, accounting is a great fit for you. Accountants should have a strong desire to learn and excel at solving problems. As an accountant, you might face complex problems that need to be carefully sorted out. You’ll also need to learn new information, such as updated financial guidelines.

10. YOU’RE TRUSTWORTHY AND RELIABLE.

Employers and clients should know that they can count on you to complete work or handle financial data carefully. Being reliable and trustworthy are important personality traits to have if you plan on working as an accountant. If your friends and family know that they can depend on you, these traits should carry over into your professional life in accounting.

11. YOU’RE CREATIVE.

Creativity seems to be more of a personality trait for artists, but it’s one of the accountant personality traits you should have. Do you enjoy taking a creative approach to understanding issues or tackling problems in your personal life? Being creative can give you insight into issues and problems and allow you to handle them with ease during your accounting career.

12. YOU HAVE A SENSE OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

Accountability means you’re willing to take responsibility when you make errors or mistakes. Accountants need to have a sense of accountability when these kinds of issues come up, such as during an audit. Being an accountant involves making judgment calls from time to time. If you’re willing to accept responsibility when things go wrong and take steps to correct your mistakes, you have yet another quality that makes a good accountant.

13. YOU’RE WELL-ORGANIZED.

Having good organizational skills is a big advantage if you plan on pursuing a career in accounting. Accountants need to keep financial information and other data as organized as possible, since this helps reduce the risk of errors and ensures that they’re able to find what they need promptly. You might make a successful accountant if you’re good at staying organized.

14. YOU PERSEVERE.

If you’re the type who keeps going no matter how challenging or tough certain situations get, accounting might be the right field for you. Accountants must have perseverance in order to thrive in their work. Being in accounting means facing difficulties and challenges from time to time. You’ll need to be willing to see these challenges through in order to succeed in this field.

15. YOU’RE EFFICIENT.

Being efficient as an accountant involves finding ways to stay productive or boost productivity, as needed. When you’re efficient, you might also be able to help your company improve its efficiency overall. You can look forward to being a good accountant if you enjoy finding ways to meet goals as efficiently as possible.

16. YOU’RE ADAPTABLE.

How do you normally handle stressful situations or changes in your life? If you’re able to easily adapt, this is a great accountant quality. Accountants must stay up to date on changing guidelines, quickly learn to use new tech tools, and keep up with other changes that affect their job. When you’re already adaptable, you’ll be able to handle these challenges more readily.

17. YOU TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH.

Being proactive means being able to anticipate problems beforehand and take steps to prevent them rather than reacting to them after they occur. If you tend to do this in your personal life, your proactive qualities can make you a highly successful accountant. Being a proactive accountant can help you avert financial disasters and lower the risk of facing these kinds of problems on the job, making you a more valuable employee.

18. YOU’RE GOOD AT MATH.

It’s probably not surprising to learn that accountants need to have a good understanding of basic math. If you can do basic math problems, including adding and subtracting, you’ll have an easy time doing these calculations as an accountant. Keep in mind that you’ll have tech tools to help you handle more complex math calculations, and you won’t need to have an in-depth understanding of trigonometry, algebra, or other advanced mathematical concepts to excel in accounting.

19. YOU’RE GOOD AT BUDGETING AND FINANCES.

If you’re used to managing your personal budget and finances, you’re on your way to becoming a good accountant. Accounting involves managing budgets and finances for companies or clients. When you have practice doing this in your everyday life, you’ll have an easier time learning to handle much bigger or more complex finances and budgets.

20. YOU’RE GOOD AT TIME MANAGEMENT.

Accounting schedules can fluctuate throughout the year. During tax season, for example, you can expect to be much busier than normal. If you’re good at managing your time, this is an essential skill to have as an accountant. You’ll need time management skills to make sure you’re able to complete your work on time without feeling overwhelmed.

Something all translators share, even before they become translators, is a passion for languages. In time, they will become more or less successful translators. Surely this passion for languages will be reflected in a fluency in at least two languages, perhaps from birth. But not all bilinguals love languages (it is a “given” to them). Some of the best translators are those who have studied and learnt languages. A deep knowledge and mastery of expression in one’s own mother tongue, in my opinion, is the first prerequisite. Nevertheless, a passion for languages really is one the first requirements. Nobody likes to work in a profession he/she does not enjoy. So here’s some tips to become a successful translator, although many other elements are necessary.

1. Learn to meet strict deadlines

Translation is somethign that happens AFTER somebody has written something. Typically, that person will be in a rush to get the translation done and publish the content quickly. Whether it is a novel, a marketing brochure, a birth certificate or a speech, it will be required fast, very fast… mostly…yesterday!

2. Prepare for boring translations – they will be your bread and butter

People who have a passion for languages also tend to love reading, mostly literature. This will help you to become a good translator. If you have searched this content and are reading these lines, you probably are the kind of person who loves to curl up with a good paper or electronic book at the night time. However, when it comes to translation, translating fiction or literature does not happen very often. It is a fact that most professional translators never get to translating novels or fiction in their lifetime, at least as “paid” work. Works of fiction that need translation are usually dealt with by a combination of university teachers (for top intellectual novelists) or specialist translators who specialize in an author’s work even by in-house translators at publishing houses.
If spending days translating funny books or works of art was your aim to start with, I can safely say that you will find the vast majority of translation work really “boring”. Translators typically earn a living by translating reports, undertaking technical translation, legal documents, terms and conditions, contracts, certificates, business correspondence… In the case of audiovisual translators, pressure down and fast time-to-market make it a less than desirable area to enter. Indeed, there are many scripts with celebrities that need translation services, but I hope this was not one of your reasons for you to go into audiovisual translation. Again, the majority of audiovisual translators will spend their time working on speeches, training videos, seminars and meetings. So my advice is to specialize soon into a field (software, legal, technical , pharmaceutical, etc) and learn the terminology and what is happening in the field so you can understand and become familiar with the subject. It will make your life much easier and you will enter the market and position yourself much quicker.

3. Machine Translation is not your enemy – use it

Honestly, it is not. If you are a recent graduate, machine translation is something you probably grew up with. Use it to your advantage (and tell your clients you are willing to do post-editing). Confidentiality clauses apply!

4. Free translation? Only for friends, fools and family

Just like a mechanic will be asked by friends and family to have a look at the car, the engine or anything wrong with a vehicle, and computer specialists tend to the point of reference for all things Internet, email, and laptops when things go wrong, translators will be asked by friends and family for free translation of a letter or document in their free time. I have met companies whose marketing brochures had been translated this way…. They would never think of asking a relative or aficionado to take care of their website or design a brochure, but it seems that languages, words (foreign words, that is) are…. well, cheap. A favor is a favor of course, but do not over do it. There are internships where you can gain experience and surely there will be times when you are the only bilingual in the room or office or the family and you need to do translation or interpreting work. If you a put in this position, approach it as if it was a real-life job. Anything goes wrong and you will be tagged for life!

OK, so you may be dealing with boring texts during your career a translator. Anyway, the same can be said for many supposedly interesting professionals. Obviously, it just depends on how you define interesting: you will surely learn many things that you would not know otherwise by taking on machinery and technical translations, medical translations, etc. Interesting does not mean exciting. For a professional, a text may be challenging or intellectual, and that is what should make it.