This paper presents some of the results from the empirical studies carried out for a research project on translation proficiency. Data were collected from interviews with Chinese/English translators in Australia. The investigation focuses on translational language competence of translators. It identifies translational language competence as one of the components of translation proficiency. It holds that the high level of language competence of both the SL and TL, equivalent to university educated language user is an essential requirement of any translator. It argues that the language competence of translators in both the first and foreign language should be emphasised.