Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

The Work

Terminologists facilitate the editing and translation process by researching and locating information or past publications which might help language staff to produce high-quality translations.

This is a specialist professional role to ensure accuracy, appropriateness and consistency of usage of terms.

They advise and consult other UN offices and bodies who draft, translate or edit in their respective language, and answer queries and provide guidance in terminology usage.

Their tasks encompass monitoring documentations and identifying changes, developments or linguistics inconstancies and variations in different areas of terminology such as organisational nomenclature, functional titles, administrative and budgetary matters, and various other areas.

Terminologists consult other organisations and bodies who draft, translate or edit in their respective language. They answer queries and provide guidance in terminology usage.

Tasks include identifying changes, developments or linguistic inconstancies and variations in different areas of terminology.

The terminologist may use various electronic tools. They investigate organisational and technological developments particularly in the field of machine-assisted translations and data bank systems for the improvement of efficiency and productivity.

The role relies on extensive language skills for the production of terminology that is clear and coherent.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
• Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
• Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
• Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
• Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerised terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
• Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
• Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
• Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.
• Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.
• Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

A degree or an Masters in Linguistics, Translation Studies, Philology, or Language Studies is typically required.

Translation, working with terms and glossaries and the study of term databases and other languages are pathways for developing a career as a Terminologist. Experience in Localisation is valued in the ICT sector.

-Higher Education CAO entry: Linguistics, Translation Studies, Philology, or Applied & Language Studies  NFQ level 8 Search CAO courses.

-Postgraduate Study Options Language & Cultural localisation or ICT Conversion localisation NFQ postgraduate study at level 9 Search Springboard courses.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €65k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Glassdoor/ Talent.com

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• The Irish Translators and Interpreters Association (ITIA)

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