7 Lessons From Experienced Freelance Translators

7 Lessons From Experienced Freelance Translators There are many aspects of being a freelance translator that you have to consider to be successful here are some of the most important points to keep in mind: 1. Respect your specialization; accept translation jobs into your native language. Whether you are translating or editing, it is most important to see the text in the source language to determine if it is within our scope of ability. 2. Use translation memory software. The value of using Wordfast or Trados software is to avoid some of the common omissions that can occur. The software helps you to see the text in sentence format it also helps to isolate text that the software cannot translate such as company names or titles. 3. When in doubt, ask the question. Don’t waste time struggling with illegible text. It is better to telephone and ask the question; it’s the clients’ responsibility to provide clarification. 4. Two heads are better than one-especially for translations. Arrange an exchange of proofreading services with another good translator. 5. Pay careful attention to language requirements. If the translation is tied to a retail brand with specific terminology, make sure that the client provides you with a contact person or reference materials to assure the proper context of the translation. 6. Know your reading audience. Always ask the client about the target audience for the translation, so you can use the most appropriate language. 7. Be sure you understand the objective of the material you are translating. The end use of the translated material is important to know so that you can use the correct terminology. Use these guidelines in your freelance translation projects and you will enjoy a higher level of recognition.

ADVICE FROM SUCCESSFUL FREELANCER TRANSLATORS

ADVICE FROM SUCCESSFUL FREELANCER TRANSLATORS With so many companies going global, life as a freelance translator is getting more interesting everyday; the new opportunities for increasing income are there, but so is the competition. The most seasoned professional freelance translators are working with new technology and beginning translators are seeking mentorship. Here are some of the tips from some of the experienced freelance translators: Be a continuous student. Language is a living, breathing expression of people who live in a certain country with traditions and culture that effect the way they communicate. Keep an open perspective when it comes to both your source and target languages and learn to incorporate the changes to keep your translations relevant and accurate. Specialize, specialize, and specialize. This one point cannot be stressed enough. Having the ability to speak several languages is one thing, being able to translate material from different fields is not so easy. Whether you choose literature, science and technology or academia, there is an abundance of terms and rules of register and style to consider. Choosing one area to concentrate your skill development within will provide you with a valuable marketing tool in attracting new clients. Stay current with research and development in the translation world as it relates to your work and the communication sciences profession as a whole. Attend professional conferences to learn about new language technologies, build skills and network with other freelance translators. Develop cooperative relationships with other freelance translators; exchange proofreading services and sharing translation memory will help build your expertise and knowledgebase faster than working alone. No amount of promotion can replace the value of a good reputation in business. Work with a strong of ethics; deliver what you promise, communicate with your client honestly and perform your work diligently to build a reputation that is priceless in this profession.

7 Lessons From Experienced Freelance Translators

7 Lessons From Experienced Freelance Translators There are many aspects of being a freelance translator that you have to consider to be successful here are some of the most important points to keep in mind: 1. Respect your specialization; accept translation jobs into your native language. Whether you are translating or editing, it is most important to see the text in the source language to determine if it is within our scope of ability. 2. Use translation memory software. The value of using Wordfast or Trados software is to avoid some of the common omissions that can occur. The software helps you to see the text in sentence format it also helps to isolate text that the software cannot translate such as company names or titles. 3. When in doubt, ask the question. Don’t waste time struggling with illegible text. It is better to telephone and ask the question; it’s the clients’ responsibility to provide clarification. 4. Two heads are better than one-especially for translations. Arrange an exchange of proofreading services with another good translator. 5. Pay careful attention to language requirements. If the translation is tied to a retail brand with specific terminology, make sure that the client provides you with a contact person or reference materials to assure the proper context of the translation. 6. Know your reading audience. Always ask the client about the target audience for the translation, so you can use the most appropriate language. 7. Be sure you understand the objective of the material you are translating. The end use of the translated material is important to know so that you can use the correct terminology. Use these guidelines in your freelance translation projects and you will enjoy a higher level of recognition.