back| Specialist translators | A specialist translator usually focuses on a particular subject field or range of fields. He/she therefore produces translations of highly specialized texts from these fields, such as operating instructions for equipment, business reports, annual financial reports, advertising brochures, patents, and scientific articles for professional journals. Their well-founded knowledge and expertise enable specialist translators to familiarize themselves with new subject areas within a very short time. |
| Translators of official documents | Translators of official documents produce certified translations. This means that the translator concerned certifies that the translation he/she has produced is correct and complete. Requirements for certified translations arise, for example, if judicial documentation or certificates of personal or family status have to be submitted to official bodies, or if documents relate to international legal transactions. Translators of official documents are publicly appointed or otherwise authorized (e.g. by swearing an oath) in accordance with the statutory regulations of the Federal state concerned. |
| Software localizers | Software localizers adapt user manuals, online help resources, menus and on‑screen user interfaces of computer programs to the language of the geographical area concerned. They make use of localization tools to assist their work. |
| Conference translators | Conference translators are generally employed by large international organizations to work at conference locations, where they translate working documents such as speeches/presentations, contributions to discussions, and resolutions that have to be available in writing before the end of the event. They work under very strenuous conditions, because their translations cover specialized topics and have to be ready for final approval and publication within an extremely short time. |
| Literary translators | Literary translators produce translations of works of fiction, and also of non-fiction and specialist works. As a rule they work on a freelance basis and are commissioned by publishing houses. As works of literature are linguistic works of art, the aesthetic aspects are of far greater importance than with texts for mundane purposes. The task of translating literary works is stylistically very demanding: it requires the translator to be highly sensitive to the linguistic structure and composition of the original text. |
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