Interpersonal Skills in the Development of Translation Competence

Abstract

The present study aims at developing students’ interpersonal competencies in the process of translation training. Translators are expected to possess a specific profile including interpersonal competencies that are compatible with the needs of labor market, translation market and employers. Ergo, this study is targeted towards inquiring interpersonal skills (communication, presentation skills, teamwork, stress management, time management, conflict management, flexibility, responsibility, self-motivation, and assertiveness). As a start, the study pinpoints the changes in the labor market, and translation market influenced by the development of new technologies, globalization and needs by employers. Moreover, it highlights some educational consequences and the role of academia in those changes. Therefore, after ascertaining the needs of current employers a feasible model of interpersonal competencies development in the process of acquiring translation competence is devised and designed. The model incorporates both the development of translation competence and the development of interpersonal skills. Thus, the suggested model is deliberated to be a part of a program for teaching specialized translation whose aim is to develop translation competence and interpersonal competencies and in consequence to gain a better position in the labor market.