Translator Prerequisites And The A Z Of Becoming A Translator
f you are serious about yourself with the language, i.e:
becoming a translator, you by living/studying in the country
must be able to fulfil the where the language is spoken.
following criteria, at the very German is spoken in 5 countries:
least. Germany, Austria, Switzerland,
Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.
Translator Prerequisites There is no substitute for
first-hand experience of living
Your standard of education must in a foreign culture, and as an
be very high; with very few Irishman living in Berlin,
exceptions, a degree is Germany, I can only recommend
essential, though not necessarily this course of action.
in languages - it is a positive
advantage to have qualifications It is best to have a specific
or experience in another subject. field that you specialise in, be
Postgraduate training in it literature, technical,
translation is useful. You must medical, legal.
be able to write your own mother
tongue impeccably in a style and Have invested in a minimum of
register appropriate to the equipment and software – At a
subject and have a flair for minimum you should have a
research on technical subjects. computer and appropriate
word-processing software; fax
It goes without saying, that you machine and internet connection;
should have a thorough grasp of suitable dictionaries, preferably
the languages in your language online dictionaries like LEO,
combination, you must also be which return results at the touch
familiar with the culture and of button, saving you an enormous
customs of the country. The only amount of time searching through
way to do this is by surrounding printed dictionaries. A
telephone; answering machine translate (source language/s).
(and, optionally, a dictating For Germany, you should usually
machine); increasingly, today’s include a picture of yourself
translators are also using beside your name and address and
translation memory software and choose a tabular layout.
other translation tools. In an
office translation environment, A translator translates from a
the use of the Computer-Aided source language into a target
Translation (CAT)-tool Trados has language. You should translate
become the standard. CAT-tools only into your mother tongue
like Trados or Déjà vu can cost (target language). Make sure you
quite a handful. If funds do not mention any other degrees you may
allow, seriously think about have or relevant work experience.
taking out a loan to cover Say how you produce your work
start-up expenses. The investment (word-processing software) and
will pay off. whether you can communicate by
email or fax.
While it is not the industry
standard, Wordfast also offers a Never shy away from asking a
very resourceful alternative as friend who works in business or
it has the functionality of in the language world to take a
Trados and Déjà vu, but doesn't critical look at your CV before
cost you a penny. Donations, sending it out. It is, after all,
however, are welcome. your career we're talking about!
In fact, if they can help you
Produce a well-typed, even more, all the better.
well-presented curriculum vitae,
briefly describing your If sitting at home all the time
education, qualifications and the does not appeal to you, then you
languages from which you should not rule out the
possibility of working as a you've an answer for each one,
freelance translator with a 9-5 then you should be ok.
office job. I myself worked in an
office where the majority of Pre-Translation – You should
translators were freelancers. know…
An online translation forum is a a) Who is the translation for –
great way of getting your foot in this can be helpful when
the door. Sign up for e-zines and determining the register of your
newsletters. translation.
You should send your CV and a b) Is there a contact for
short covering letter to possible queries? Make sure you have
places of employment: Not just records of the contact person’s
translation companies though, try details: name, email,
local exporting/importing firms telephone…remember business-like
of whose products/business you as always. Always keep records.
have special subject knowledge.
If you are a student, there are c) Find out if the language has
plenty of companies out there to be translated into a
looking to take on apprentices particular variant. UK English or
with a view to later full-time US English?
employment.
d) Are there particular terms
A-Z Checklist for Translating that the translation should
include for consistency?
Business-like is a word you
should not forget! As long as you e) If working under contract for
have an answer to my a-z of a translation company, do they
questions, and tick them off when have a style guide that you
should follow: i.e: Rules for was translated? If in doubt get
translating dates etc. someone who doesn't speak the
source language to have a quick
f) Are text areas, embedded in read through your translation.
tables and images, to be
translated as well? If so, Delivery
knowledge of graphic editing
programs is of an advantage. l) Where is the translation to be
delivered? To the customer's
g) Are you required to use a address, Internet address?
specific word processing software
for the translation? m) When is the translation
deadline?
h) Are you required to use a
specific Computer-Aided n) How is the translation to be
Translation (CAT)-tool for the delivered? By fax, email, post?
translation e.g. Trados, Déjà Vu?
o) Do copies of material sent
have to be returned?
i) Is there a translation memory
available for the translation? Charging and Extra Charges
Double-Checking p) How will the translation be
charged? Time, per word, per
j) Before delivering: has the sentence?
translation been double-checked
for accuracy, consistency, q) Will there be an additional
spelling, font styles the same? charge for irregular
difficulties?
k) Does the text sound as if it
r) Will there be an additional Liability and Compensation
charge for research? Specialist
terminology? x) Is the translation to remain
confidential?
s) Must the translated text be
proofread? y) Does your indemnity insurance,
and you will need indemnity
t) Will VAT be applicable? insurance, cover all
possibilities?
Payment
z) Is the early termination of a
u) How and when is payment to be job subject to compensation?
made?
And that's it! If you can answer
v) When is payment to be made? these questions then you're one
step closer to becoming a
w) What method of payment is to professional.
be used? Bank transfer, cheque?
By John Neilan
About the Author:
John Neilan http://www.german-english-translator.com
john@german-english-translator.com
Source: www.isnare.com |
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