If the majority of those who work in translation are not actual translators then how do I profit by studying translation/interpretation?
First, I personally would not say that most "who work in translation are not actual translators". Â If you define "actual" as "professional" (certified in some way) or "full-time" (being their sole source of income), this may be the case. Â Not being certified or translation not being their source of income may often be the case. Â However, it does not mean that they are not very good or not professional.
As I mentioned and probably cannot emphasize enough, the profession of a translator or interpreter (and I dare to say most language-related jobs) is like an "apprenticeship". Â You cannot expect to be a good translator from the start. Â Good translators are those who (1) recognize their weaknesses and (2) make the commitment to continuous learning and to expanding their knowledge. Â In other words, good translators recognize their weaknesses (e.g., subjects, styles, technologies, etc.) and are willing to do over time what it takes to make those weaknesses into strengths.
A good translator, for example, is a good writer in their own language. Too many times have I worked with translators who may in fact be very fluent in their first and second languages, but have little idea how to even write in their first language. Â How can a translator expect to deliver quality text when he/she doesn't even know how to punctuate a complex sentence? With this in mind, for example, it becomes clear why it is important to study writing, grammar, common/excepted uses, etc. in your native (target) language.
If you get a chance, you might read a couple discussions on ProZ.com:
- http://www.proz.com/forum/professional_development/143908-what_makes_a_good_translator.html
- http://www.proz.com/forum/translation_theory_and_practice/55956-what_makes_a_good_technical_translator.html
Enjoy and add your comments.
Getting into Translation
I was recently asked to attend a panel of translation professionals for a group of university students. Â I so enjoy interacting with students and benefiting from their excitement and enthusiasm! Â Unfortunately, time was limited and we were unable to get to everyone's questions.
Over the next few weeks, I would like to address the some of the questions students submitted that we were unable to respond to:
- If the majority of those who work in translation are not actual translators then how do I profit by studying translation/interpretation?
- What "challenges" did you have to personally overcome in order to really succeed?
- How do you get started? Most companies require 5 years of experience or more?!?
- How can I learn about different translation technologies/programs, etc.?
- Am I at a huge disadvantage if I only speak one foreign language
- What's the difference between a good translator and someone who really needs work?
- How do you get started in translation? What are the first steps?
- As a freelance, how do you go about finding clients?
- How plausible is doing part-time translation? Does it need to be full-time or nothing?
- What is a good rate to ask for?
- How do you keep up your language skills?
- How do you network?
- What is the benefit of getting listed on Proz or tranlsator's cafe?
- What is Proz?
- What would you suggest for translator's whose native language is English? It seems there really is more demand to go into non-English Languages in the US?
I hope it is beneficial to anyone interested. Â Please feel free make any comments or add questions you would like to discuss.