French translation is the art and science of transforming written French into English. Translation is the perfect career for anyone who enjoys a profession that requires constant learning and a fascination with language. There are countless paper and online dictionaries available, but choosing just the right word is still a skill that requires writing ability as well as knowledge of the source and target languages. Translation requires both knowledge of a particular subject and the ability to learn specialized terminology quickly. It is not always easy, but it can be a lot of fun.

1
Know your native language thoroughly. This should be the language that you translate into or your "target" language.

2
Learn French via formal classes, reading French books, watching French movies, speaking with native French speakers and classmates and traveling to France. Learning any language is a lifelong process.

3
Pursue translation-specific coursework at the undergraduate level, and consider a certificate program or master's-level programs in translation or linguistics.

4
Join professional organizations like the American Translators Association, and be active at the national and regional levels. You may also want to join organizations that share some of your interests, such as the American Literary Translators Association and the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators.

5
Attend local and national conferences on translation in order to learn tips and techniques from your fellow translators, and network with translators and translation agencies.

6
Practice translation of French to English documents, and then compare this with previously published translations.

7
Familiarize yourself with computer-aided translation programs, such as Trados, WordFast, Across and Déja Vu. These programs are not machine-translation programs. Rather, they help translators to store translation memories, which organize previously translated words and phrases.