Matthew B. McDonald

I am a Spanish - English translator pursuing an M.A. in Translation from an Argentine university - most of my coursework taught in Spanish. I am a native English speaker from the U.S.

I tell you this not only because it has been a great challenge to undertake the M.A. degree in a foreign language, which has enriched my life significantly, but also that I think it’s wise for translators to write non-native languages. Why? In short, because it helps one comprehend the logic and rules of that foreign language and would pay off even if one exclusively translates into her native language.

If it weren’t something I have a passion for, I wouldn’t say it, but I much enjoy writing in Spanish. I regularly write fiction in Spanish because it helps me explore my creative voice. Not only does it help me creatively, but this can also help improve my translation ability, as I’m sure it would do the same for those interested in becoming translators or those who already translate for a living.

The exciting part is the middle ground that one transits while writing in a foreign language. To me, the middle ground is finding a basis for one’s thoughts in a foreign language. Implicit in writing in a foreign language is trying to make sense of the world differently, namely, in a language that is not one’s native language. Writing, in general, implies making sense of the world in a novel way; however, I think writing in a foreign language increases the challenge factor.

I have even found that the fiction I write in Spanish is sometimes more imaginative (granted, in my limited view) than what I have written in English. You might want to ask the readers who are native Spanish speakers whether my writing is genuinely more imaginative. The point is that this novel way of seeing things can be enriching personally and professionally. Because the translation is learning how to see or view the world in a novel way (in addition to other tenets), writing in a foreign language is a perfect way to improve that competency.

In truth, you can write about anything in your second language. It is actually about the process of writing in that second or third language and not about the results. Say you decide to write in your second or third language. Here are some tips that I have found helpful.

• Don’t judge what you write. Sometimes things just will not make sense, and you’ll have to rewrite them.

• If you’re up for a real challenge, write initially in your second or third language, then translate it back to your native language. Then convert what you’ve written back to your second or third language.

• If you’re seeking feedback on what you write, join a group or have a friend offer constructive criticism on what you’ve written in your second or third language.

Thus, you will become a better translator (and I argue, a better, more well-rounded person) by writing in your second, third, or even fourth language. You will learn new vocabulary, have fun in the process of writing, and learn about writing naturally in your language of choice. You will also improve as a translator because you will increase your understanding of your non-native language.

I encourage you to try writing something in your non-native language even if you are already really good at it, even if you don’t write anything publishable, printable, or otherwise ready to be seen by others! The effort alone will reward you.

So, what is the next step? Begin to write for fun in your second language, and the benefits might surprise you.