IS IT DIFFICULT TO GET JOB OFFERS IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN THE SOURCE OR TARGET LANGUAGE COUNTRY?
As a freelance translator you have the opportunity to work with people from all over the world who need documents translated into or from languages that you know. Many freelance translators think that they will receive more offers if they live in the country of their source or target language however that will not make a difference if your expertise is not up to the expectations of the client.
Certainly living in the country of your source or target language offers you many advantages to hone your language skills; the nuance and register of language continues to evolve as the world changes. If your target language is Spanish and you are living in Spain, a client who needs an advertising document translated into Spanish may give your profile closer inspection. To use your location to your best advantage, it is important to use your knowledge as it impacts the content of the translation.
On the other hand, if the same client presents you with a technical document about the mechanics of computer software, the fact that you live in Spain will not have the same value, because the software has the same requirements in ever country.
Translating documents for use in your source or target language countries are where your location can work in your favor the best however expertise, professional behavior and reasonable rates are just as important. When you are approaching clients outside of these countries, this is what they will consider first.
To make the most of your freelance translator opportunities, join translator forums and see how translators in other countries handle the issues that you are facing. You will learn new techniques for locating clients, tools that make your work easier as well as individuals that you can work with for proofreading and editing work. |
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1 comments:
My comment may be slightly off topic but I felt it could only do good to share it with you.
I am a free lance translator, English to French but have recently moved to Durban, South Africa, where there is not a huge need for this language combination. An old colleague of mine suggested I take a look at mytranslation.com. It’s a website that allows translators to bid for work in the marketplace, consequently allowing clients to choose the best offer for their translations, but the greatest thing about it is that it is all done online! I think it is a revolutionary concept as it is bringing clients and translators together without the hassle of going through agencies. It also means that as an E-Fr translator in South Africa, I can still easily find work as a freelancer.
I hope it helps some of you, I know that finding work can be tough at times.
Chloé
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