Translators’ work requirements and graduates’ preparedness: multi-perspective data from Australia and Vietnam

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper reports on an empirical study of translators’ work requirements in two case studies from Australia and Vietnam. Based on both online survey and follow-up interview data of 147 translators, including professional translators, translation students and trainers working as translators, this study presents their perceptions of how professional translation work is performed, and the competences that university translation programs need to focus on to prepare graduates for the world of work. Applying a translator competence model adapted from models of translator competence towards translator education, translators’ work requirements in this paper refer to requirements (1) specified to translators for a translation task, (2) from different client types (domestic and overseas clients), and (3) for different translators’ work status (freelance and in-house translators). The research findings reveal translators’ beliefs that, within the changing demands of professional translation and translators’ work status, translator training needs to take into account both international and local work requirements to prepare graduates for the globalised market. The collated statistical survey data and expansive follow-up interviews provide insights that have pedagogical implications for translator trainers and program developers.