Guest post by Ekaterina Chashnikova
Being an experienced medical translator and a tutor, I often get the same questions from my students and colleagues: is it possible to become a medical translator without a medical, pharmaceutical, or life sciences degree? And (from a more positive point of view), how to do it? Although, frankly speaking, the first question prevails. I believe ones who ask the “how to” questions have already overcome this barrier, and this article is intended to help you do the same.
Yes, it is possible!
I know many excellent translators who tackle medical, pharmaceutical, and life sciences projects without a degree in the relevant field. Some of them are not even trained as linguists, and have graduated as English teachers instead.
When I delivered my first pharmacology courses for linguists, I came to know many professionals who started their way in medical translation with my course or a few years before. I have seen them grow over the years, and I know for sure that all is possible with determination and dedication. In this article, you will find a list of practical tips on how to make this learning journey more effective. But first, I need to make a disclaimer: It’s not a quick path.
You probably know that pharmaceutical studies take at least 4 years before graduating as a bachelor, and the basic clinician learning programs take at least 6 years (with more to be added to qualify for a license). So be prepared for building your foundation over 3 to 5 years to become confident in your knowledge of medicine.
Now, enough with introductions and disclaimers. Let’s discuss how you do it.
Set a high standard for your learning resources
Use college or university courses and YouTube channels for medical students by professional doctors. Why? Medical and health information can be oversimplified on resources for the general public (although they can be a starting point if your knowledge of medicine is very basic). As a translator, you will need to understand all concepts, terminology, and processes on a professional level. So, it’s best to learn at the professional level from the very beginning. Another benefit of university courses is getting certificates that show your knowledge, intent, and dedication to your specialization.
You can find university courses on aggregator websites like Coursera, where accessibility is a priority and the information is presented in a highly accessible and digestible form. Another way to find such courses is to Google for MOOCs (massive open online courses) on university websites.
As for YouTube, here is a list of trusted channels for you to start with. Pay attention to YouTube labels under the video that indicate official resources with health-related information, like hospitals, health authorities, and licensed physicians.
Read books for medical students and doctors
Again, your goal is to know medicine or pharmacy, or another branch of life sciences, on a professional level. We all have different levels of background knowledge. If university textbooks seem challenging, start with nursing textbooks; they are often simplified. If this level seems too difficult, start with school textbooks, popular books for a general audience, or patient information resources. Just remember that it’s an intermediate step for you, and go deeper gradually.
Limit your studies
As a translator, you can choose a niche in life sciences to start with. You will need to study general anatomy and physiology anyway, you will definitely need chemistry to understand drug products, but after that, it’s best to focus and specialize. Try to limit yourself to one or two therapeutic areas (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or oncology) and one or two practical applications (drug products in this area, clinical studies, informational resources for patients, medical records). Make a list of disciplines that will help you translate these texts professionally. And study them gradually.
Here is a recording of my free webinar that will help you select a niche. In this webinar, I discuss which traditional niches exist on the market, which knowledge is required for each of them, and which types of projects to expect.
Immerse yourself in a medical environment
Volunteer at a hospital, or attend first aid courses, trainings for patients at patient communities or healthcare institutions, student conferences, and medical trade shows (in some countries, attendance is free for the general public and individual professionals). You can even participate in low-risk clinical trials as a healthy volunteer Even reading all the posters in your GP’s clinic while waiting for the appointment and paying attention to how doctors and nurses talk about medical stuff can be helpful!
Start translating early
A doctor must have broad foundational knowledge to start practicing. They need to make decisions quickly for real people to get better. As a translator, you have access to reference resources during work, and you do not need to make very quick decisions (simply avoid rush projects at the start). You can also ask for help online. So start translating to accumulate experience and build up a portfolio. You might find volunteer opportunities helpful.
Build a supporting community
Find online communities or forums where you can ask for a piece of advice or ask for help with a challenging expression, like the KudoZ Terminology Help Network at ProZ.com.
Take at least one course for medical translators to meet those who are on the same path. After the course, you can continue sharing your successes and challenges. And maybe even become study buddies!
There are many ways to build up a supportive network: attending online and offline events, being active in specialized groups on social media, and much more.
Do not limit yourself to purely medical and pharmaceutical areas
Pregnancy, infant formulas, food supplements, genetics, cosmetic products, dental products, and services…. I will talk about these intersecting niches more during the International Translation Day conference.
You might have noticed that my advice is similar to that given by traditional university studies to medical and pharmaceutical students. Study the basic disciplines, specialize, join a learning community, find a medical environment, and get some practice. The truth is that your overall goal is to build a foundation similar to a medical degree. And it is possible.
Good luck with your studies! You can always reach out to me if you need advice.
