‘Can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. Can understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to one’s field. Can express oneself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length. Can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what she/he considers to be the salient issues. Can select style appropriate to the reader in mind.’

‘Can read with ease virtually all forms of the written language, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts such as manuals, specialised articles and literary works. Can write clear, smoothly flowing text in an appropriate style. Can write complex letters, reports or articles which present a case with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points. Can write summaries and reviews of professional or literary works.’

The translator knows that contracts are negotiated between publishers and translators. S/he knows how to write invoices.

The translator registers with his/her local tax office. S/he writes reminders and final warnings. S/he does her/his own accounting and budget planning and declares taxes.
The translator pays social security contributions.
The translator doesn’t change the contents of the works s/he translates. S/he doesn’t translate authors who have previously been translated by colleagues without conferring with these colleagues first. S/he doesn’t undercut currently accepted conditions of fees and royalties in her/his translation contracts. S/he doesn’t translate texts that propagate violations of human rights.

The translator knows about seminars and workshops for literary translators.

The translator participates in seminars and workshops for literary translators.

The translator knows and meets the deadlines of her/his translation contracts. S/he is familiar with formats like standard pages. S/he can produce sample translations for publishers.
The translator can estimate the research a given translation project requires. S/he self-edits translations to publishable shape. If necessary s/he annotates his/her translations.

The translator comments on her/his translations in afterwords, progress reports and essays.

There are numerous forms of assessment, developed in accordance to their function. Numerous juries of prices have designed forms, publishers and literary foundations use criteria in order to give translators assignments or grants. In translation studies, a lot of models have been developed (cf. the entry ‘Translation Criticism’ by Outi Paloposki in the Handbook of Translation Studies, volume 3 (Ed. Yves Gambier and Luc van Doorslaer, John Benjamins 2012, pp. 184–190). An inspiring study might be Lance Hewsons An Approach to Translation Criticism: Emma and Madame Bovary in Translation. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins 2011.

Over the last decades the number of courses, workshops etc. in the field of literary translation in various countries of Europe has increased. The same holds true for more individually-oriented training models such as mentorships, most of which are given by experienced literary translators willing and capable to pass on their expertise to beginning, young translators.