Getting into Translation?

translate: vb to express in another language, using the written word

The first step

Starting up as a freelance translator is tough. The competition is fierce and only the really skilled, professional and businesslike will succeed. Give serious thought to whether or not you are fully qualified and sufficiently determined. Earning potential will be dependent on language combinations, subject area and, of course, competence.

As a very minimum, you must:

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have a very high standard of education; with very few exceptions, a degree is essential, though not necessarily in languages - it is a positive advantage to have qualifications or experience in another subject. Postgraduate training in translation is useful. You must be able to write your own mother tongue impeccably in a style appropriate to the subject and have a flair for research on technical subjects;

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be master of one or more foreign languages: language knowledge, however, is not enough on its own -you must have a thorough knowledge of the institutions, culture, attitudes and practices in the countries where that language is spoken, normally acquired through residence there;

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have developed a knowledge of a business, technical or scientific field;

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have fluent keyboard skills (or use a dictating machine and a competent typist); have invested in a minimum of equipment and software if you wish to work freelance - a computer and appropriate wordprocessing software; fax machine and modem or fax/modem; suitable dictionaries; a telephone; answering machine (and, optionally, a dictating machine).

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produce a well-typed, well-presented curriculum vitae, briefly describing your education, qualifications, the professional associations of which you are a member, the languages from which you translate and the amount of translation work you can handle (normally quoted as x thousand words per week in the UK). Offer to translate only into your mother tongue. Stress any first-hand experience in fields other than languages. Say whether you have any interpreting ability or other language-related skills such as abstracting or proofreading. If you want to do freelance work, say how you produce your work (wordprocessing software) and whether you can communicate by email, fax or modem.

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ask someone working in business or in the language world to take a critical look at how you are presenting yourself before you send out your cv;

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send your cv and a short covering letter to potential work providers: translation agencies listed in Yellow Pages; local exporting/importing firms in the fields in which you have a special subject knowledge (consult your library, the Chamber of Commerce, exhibition catalogues); secretarial agencies; banks; international organisations (NGOs); anybody else who might have language work to offer;

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check the ITI bulletin, translation journals, quality newspapers and periodicals, professional and trade journals for job advertisements as a translator or for any companies or organisations which might have a need for translators;

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pull strings - enlist the help of friends and acquaintances in business and industry.

Help is at hand

Anyone seriously intending to become a translator should join the Institute of Translation & Interpreting. As a newcomer to the profession, you will have the opportunity to measure yourself against realistic standards through contact with established translators in ITI's workshops, seminars and in continuing education courses covering practical as well as linguistic matters. Under the ITI Mentoring scheme, you can ask for advice from an established translator who will take a personal interest in you at the beginning of your career.

Qualified (MITI, FITI) and Corporate members are listed in the Institute's Directory. However, a lot of work is passed on by the recommendation of colleagues, so it is an advantage to make yourself known to others in the profession. You should also, therefore, consider joining one of the language- or subject-specific ITI Networks and your local ITI Regional Group and taking part in their activities.

If you are determined to be a success as a translator, ITI is here to help you help yourself.

Further reading

Books

A practical guide for translators
Samuelsson-Brown, G, 2nd edition, Clevedon.
Multilingual Matters, 1995
£29(hbk)/£9.95(pbk)
ISBN 1-85359-304-4/303-6.

Careers using languages
Ostarhild, Edda, 7th edition, London.
Kogan Page, 1997
£7.99
ISBN 0-7494-1821-4.

Dictionary of Translation Studies
Mark Shuttleworth and Moira Cowie
St Jerome Publishing 1997
£19.50
ISBN 1-900650-03-7.