Must Have! Here Are 9 Non-Linguistic Skills for Remote Translators

Do you think being a remote translator is just about mastering 2 or 3 languages? Absolutely not, it’s about mastering yourself. In today’s global freelance market, thousands of dedicated translators face competitors for the same projects every day.

Although linguistic competence will always be the basis of your craft, it's not the only thing clients seek. In addition to language expertise, successful translators also employ non-linguistic skills to ensure their success as freelancers. Then, what are the non-linguistic skills you could have and develop that would make you a good (and successful) translator?

Read more: 10 Remote Translator Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Freelance Career

9 Essential Non-Linguistic Skills Every Remote Translator Needs

Here are some of the non-linguistic skills that can assist you in remaining competitive going forward and creating a more sustainable freelance pathway:

1. Research Skills

In translation, research is part of the job. Each project offers something new - whether it's a new topic, industry, or even specialized terminology. As a result, you may need to learn quickly and determine the right responses on your own.

Good research entails knowing where to look, comparing sources, and putting what you discover to intuitive and effective use. This research skill can be more valuable to your work than having an advanced degree. Many successful translators build strong careers simply because they know how to verify information and use credible references.

Take SEO translation as an example, you have to understand how users in the target market actually search online. Maybe people don’t type “cheap flights,” but “budget air tickets” instead. Knowing this difference can directly affect how visible a website becomes in search results.

2. Project Management Skills

Being a remote translator also means organizing your work yourself. You are the one responsible for deadlines, invoicing, communication, and sometimes having several projects on the go. It's knowing how to plan and prioritize and cross off tasks on the list that will make all the difference in the level of productivity you get to experience.

For your freelance work, you can do this by managing your schedule and setting realistic expectations, clarifying what clients can expect from you as part of the project, and keeping track of your time. That could mean managing resources, overseeing project timelines, and updating colleagues where needed in a team environment.

3. Typing and Writing Skills

While typing might feel somewhat straightforward, for translators, it's an important skill. Every day, you are probably fondling and typing hundreds or thousands of words, as you move through your documents and check out your references. The faster and more accurately you type, the more productive you can be.

Writing is what drives the final product you translate. Writing clearly and in an organized way means a more coherent text and more readable content. All of the different pieces of content that you encounter, article, book, ad, document—everything carries a different component of tone, and your flexibility leads to more effective translations.

4. Editing and Proofreading Skills

Even the most skilled translators will have slight errors. This is the place for editing and proofreading. Editing engages you in an overall assessment of the flow, structure, and clarity of your translated piece, while proofreading means checking the work for typos, punctuation errors, or formatting mistakes. Of course, both require patience and an eye for detail.

If you are an independent contractor translator, you want to develop a consistent review process for your work. A best practice is to set your translation aside for a few hours in order to come back with fresh eyes, or you can use applications such as Grammarly or LanguageTool in order to catch some of the more common mistakes.

5. Basic Programming

A bit of technical knowledge can be helpful, especially if you work on SEO, IT, or game localization projects. Understanding basic HTML tags or file formats can prevent mistakes when handling content for websites or apps.

If you provide website translation, knowing how to use WordPress or other content management systems can make your work smoother. Many clients prefer translators who can enter translations directly into their websites, because right now, more than 65% of internet users prefer to browse and read content in their native language.

6. Mastery of CAT Tools

Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools are a valuable aspect of a translator’s daily work. Those tools are effective in text organization, maintaining consistent terminology, and reducing repeated tasks and work.

Tools like SDL Trados, memoQ, or Smartcat enable you to create translation memories and handle larger client projects with more efficiency. For remote translators, it is essential to use at least one or two CAT tools and gain proficiency with this technology. Doing so ensures high-quality translations and helps maintain long-term productivity, especially when working with multiple clients.

7. Advanced Knowledge of Word Processing Software

A couple of years ago, mastering Word, Excel, and PowerPoint was sufficient. Now there is an expectation for you to also manage desktop publishing, speech-to-text tools, QA programs, and terminology management tools. These types of software tools can increase the professional look of your output and save your editing time later.

8. Communication Skills

Good communication will go a long way in making your work a whole lot easier, particularly if you will be working remotely. You may need to clarify certain project requirements to the client, confirm deadlines or discuss revisions — all while being in possibly different time zones.

Clear and polite communication displays professionalism and prevents misunderstandings. It is also useful when you have to negotiate rates or explain your translation choices.

If you are part of a larger translation team, the aspect of communication becomes very important. You have to coordinate everything with editors, project managers, or other translators.

9. Adaptability and Time Management

As a remote translator, each project will be a bit different, so whether due to a new topic, new format, new client, new deadline, or even working hours, flexibility is so important. You need to be willing to learn new tools and adapt to new client preferences, and modify your workflows.

Time Management is another important counterpart to flexibility. When dealing with multiple deadlines and clients, if it's planned properly, your day can run smoothly and stay organized without unnecessary stress.

Conclusion

Today, a remote translator needs to be more than someone who is fluent in languages; you must also be able to combine accuracy with adaptability, stay organized, and value personal growth. Developing the non-linguistic skills mentioned above will really help you work faster, meet client expectations, and continue to develop your craft over the years.

Read more: How to Start a Freelance Job as a Translator in 2025

Interested in Taking Your Translation Career Further?

Do you see yourself growing as a professional translator and working on global projects that challenge your skills? At Digital-Trans Asia, we’re looking for enthusiastic translators in all fields (gaming translation, web novel translation, and subtitle translation are in great demand).

You will have the chance to work on various localization projects, engage with seasoned linguists, and keep expanding your skills in both linguistic and non-linguistic domains. Check out our Career Page if you are ready to advance your career.

Ready to Take Your Translation Career to the Next Level?

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Join Digital-Trans Asia, a trusted localization partner across Asia, and collaborate with experienced linguists on exciting global projects.

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