Even as language globalization is taking over in business, economy, tourism, medicine, science, literature, and other fields, the need for professional translators continues to grow. It’s one thing to have the skills to communicate in English efficiently, or any other of the most commonly spoken languages in the world (for example, Mandarin, French, or Spanish); it is quite another to fully understand all the subtexts and nuances of a particular text, especially in a specialized industry or field. Many people also don’t have the opportunity or the time to devote to learning languages. For these reasons, among others, translators will always be in demand. Read on for some tips to help you successfully start your own online business or work for a company as a translator.
If you’re thinking about a career as a translator, you should also read Work Online as a Translator to get a basic understanding of the qualifications and skills you will need to get started in the field. If you are just starting out, you might feel overwhelmed by all the resources and information online, much of which seems contradictory. You might also want to transition into translating from another area – if you have specialized knowledge in a particular field (e. g. engineering, medicine, law), that can certainly work to your benefit. You will have an edge over other candidates who are exclusively language professionals because vast expertise and understanding of industry-specific topics and vocabulary can take years to master. You will, however, need to compensate for any lack of experience in translation. But fear not, we’ve got you covered; the task of becoming a successful translator is not as daunting as one might think. Here are some tips to make your start or transition into professional translation work as smooth as possible.
Preparation is Key
When you first start out, you may have trouble gauging the amount of time you’ll need to finish a particular project, so make sure to request a reasonable deadline. You will get more comfortable assessing the time you’ll need to complete your work once you’ve completed a few projects. If the project you’ve taken on is large and you feel it might overwhelm you, or if you are short on time, break it down into manageable chunks and create a timeline you can follow. Then actually stick to it. Always make sure to thoroughly check the scope and difficulty of the text before agreeing to any deadlines.
Identify Reliable Tools and Resources You Can Trust
Start building your translation database right away. This is vital as it can hugely impact your efficiency as you progress in your career. With every translation, your database will grow, making it easier for you to translate similar texts in the future. Invest in a quality CAT tool (Computer Assisted Translation software). Trados and MemoQ are currently the most widely used programs. Take time to learn using your tools; this is time well spent and will pay off in the long run. Use multilingual corpora such as Linguee and Glosbe as well, as they provide excellent resources and reference points.
Monolingual and bilingual dictionaries are also a must in every translator’s toolkit; use the standards, Merriam-Webster or Cambridge Dictionary, or other specialized dictionaries, depending on your field. Finally, a thesaurus such as Thesaurus.com or Collins Dictionary Thesaurus will also be an excellent resource for finding synonyms or antonyms of words. These literary language tools will enrich your text, as repeating the same words too frequently can feel dry and unnatural.
Quality Over Quantity
Only take on a project you are certain you can finish in time. If you overextend yourself, the quality of your work will suffer, and with it, your reputation as a professional who produces translations of the highest quality on time. Be honest with your clients – if the timeline is unacceptable or proves to be impossible, don’t rush. Instead, communicate your needs and expectations as well, and try to come to a mutually beneficial agreement.
Context
Be mindful of the overall and specific context of the work you’re translating. Many words have different meanings in different contexts and are not mutually interchangeable. Pay attention to these subtle nuances and double or triple-check when in doubt.
Native-Level Fluency
Familiarize yourself with the accepted vernacular and style of the specific topic or field in your target language (the language to which you are translating). There are many ways of translating sufficiently to get the point of the message across. However, you will be far more successful and sought after (which equals more return customers who are satisfied with your services and, of course, translates to a more stable revenue stream) if the translation appears as seamless as possible. Your translation should not read or feel like a translation, so make sure you do not errantly transfer the exact grammar and style of the original language directly into the target language. It will not work, and it will feel unnatural.
Proofreading
When all is said and done, you and your client both want all the i’s dotted and the t’s crossed. Even if you have a native-level comprehensive knowledge of both languages, mistakes can happen and are easily overlooked despite checking and rechecking the finished text. Find a proofreader you can work with and trust them to final check your work before sending it to your client. Also, make sure to give the proofreader enough time to finish their job. It is important to calculate their expense and the time and flexibility they’ll need into your pricing and timeline – don’t expect miracles at the eleventh hour. Grammatical correctness is not something to be taken lightly, as every uncorrected mistake diminishes the quality and value of your work and therefore professional reputation. No matter how well the text is translated, it will reflect poorly on your overall abilities if it is riddled with grammatical and stylistic errors or typos.
Hopefully these tips on how to become a successful translator have been helpful. For more information on how to start your business and find clients, be sure to read Work Online as a Translator. Overall, translation is a wide-open field with opportunities for many independent entrepreneurs with language skills and industry-specific vocabulary to start their own freelance translation business. It takes time to develop a steady stream of work and clients, but with a dedication of focus and desire, it is more than possible to build this flexible freelance business that can take you into the realm of remote work and lifestyle careers like being a digital nomad who works on your own schedule from anywhere in the world.
Decide what your focus and specialty is, beef up your language and industry-specific vocabulary skills, and get started making money right from your laptop. The beauty of this time in history is that the sky really is the limit, and you can build your own service-based freelance career on your own terms. Subscribe for more business, sales, and investing posts. Have a lovely day!
