Jasmin Angl learned the fundamentals of translating while pursuing a bachelor degree in translation. In addition to translation theory and translation science, her schedule included language and cultural sciences. “We learn the craft of translating. You can employ diverse strategies to make appropriate, reasonable translation decisions,” she sums up. “Familiarising yourself with the way of life and culture of the people in countries where the language you study is spoken is equally important.”

Another key element of good translation is expert knowledge of the topics addressed in the texts. These may be contracts or other legal texts, subtitles or synchronisations for movies, literature, media texts, studies, or leaflets for medicine packages. Additionally, Interpreting is part of the elective area in the bachelor programme and a specialist course in the master programme.

Currently in the third semester, Jasmin Angl has chosen to specialise in technical translation, language management, and artificial intelligence. “I find the use of AI in the translation industry fascinating,” she shares. “The goal is to make the best possible use of the machine and work with it. This results in new occupational areas, for example, correcting the machine’s output.”

At the beginning of her studies, Jasmin Angl had to make a few fundamental decisions, for example, the languages she wanted to study and her primary language, which, at Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, does not have to be German. The students decide how many foreign languages they study. “Most have two languages, but I know some who focus on one, or study more than two,” Jasmin Angl reports.

It was her fascination with languages that brought the master’s student to study. “I loved learning languages at school and was good at it,” she says. “I wanted to study languages in-depth and to see the world.” She combined her wanderlust with her studies: A semester in Dijon allowed her to improve her language skills and to familiarize herself with the countries and people. To prepare for her professional career, Jasmin Angl also completed internships, for example, on the translation services team at the German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung).

Going forward, she sees herself in an employed position or freelancing as a translator or a project manager. She is convinced that “because texts need to be translated in so many industries, qualified translators will always be in demand.”