– By Sandesh Ghimire

The translation is such a creative job that requires immaculate expertise as well as a flawless grip in at least two languages. Likewise, it is also imperative that a translator has the capacity of contextualizing the essence of the text he or she works on. This capacity, however, can only be achieved by developing insight into the culture represented by the source text. We can achieve this insight by reading books written both in source and target languages extensively. Reading has another function to do too; it increases our vocabularies, thereby equipping us with an ability that allows us to deliver the intended meanings rather impressively.

I don’t think obtaining a Masters’s Degree in Physics will enable you to translate the texts related to the discipline nor will not having a specific degree disable you from translating the texts of Physics. What you need is a grip over both source and target languages.

Like the translators of any other languages, being a Nepali translator also takes a few traits like linguistic grip, capacity in contextualizing, extensive reading, and fluency in the use of vocabularies. On top of everything, a Nepali translator must know the basic syntax rules, which many of the ones in the business don’t seem to have.

I don’t mean to claim my supremacy here. I am only worried that there are scores of Nepali translators who claim to be the best in the industry. However, they are not native translators let alone be the fact of them being the best translators. Still, they seem to be doing great business thanks to paid memberships provided by a few sites.

However, I don’t think money can go on overshadowing the qualities required to be a Nepali translator. There will be a time when the clients will assess the services.

Mr. Ghimire is our regular supplier and a Nepali translator with over 12 years of experience. You can learn more about him at www.nepalilinguist.com too.