Applying For Translation Work – A Guide For The Freelancer
Translation work can be a booming industry for freelancers, but with no qualifications to speak of, many new-to-the-industry translators might find themselves wondering how to apply for work. With this guide, we hope to provide all the information you need to know about how translation works and how you can go about getting paid.
How does translation work?
In order to translate one language into another, you need either a deep command of both languages or equally deep knowledge of the meaning behind words in both languages. This comes in handy because it's not simply a matter of swapping words around – often enough there's an entirely different meaning that needs conveying in the new context too. With that in mind, here's how the translation industry typically works:
1. The first step is to figure out what you're translating. This might be a word or phrase you're translating for an ad or something more involved such as a book or report. You might have your own ideas about what it should say (which goes back to knowing both languages at a solid level) and if it's not too much of a rush job you can make changes as you go along to ensure the final result comes out the way you want it to.
2. Next up is a process called "proofreading". This is when you look over the finished translation to ensure it makes sense and that everything is in order. You might check for basic grammar mistakes or misspellings, but you're also meant to check that the content fits in with what was originally written. If your proofreader thinks the result doesn't fit at all, either because of a grammatical error or simply not making sense of the main point, they'll let you know so you can go back and make changes accordingly.
3. In some instances you may need help with translating – something which we'll come to later. Even if you can handle the translation on your own, many companies will still want a proofreader's help to ensure that the final version is perfect.
4. Once you've finished a translation – whether it's a single word or an entire book – you'll need to send it off to the customer or employer so they can check it over. This is where revisions come in. You'll be sent back any changes with instructions as to how they want them made and then they'll check over the result once more before giving it final approval.
5. The final step is getting paid! Payment will typically be on completion, with the payment depending on what kind of work you're doing and who you're working for. No matter who you're working for, you should be able to find out how much you'll earn before you take on the project. You should also know a deadline and whether there's room for negotiation if the deadline isn't realistic.
How do I become a translator?
If you've decided that translation is your calling and you want to get into it right away, here are a few tips on how to make your way into the industry as quickly as possible:
1. Learn both languages – This is the obvious place to start – if only one of your languages is strong then chances are nobody will want your services because they'll want someone who can deal with either language in equal depth. If you can learn a second language, then that level of fluency can give you a great advantage in getting work and it'll also increase your promotional powers when it comes to finding new clients.
2. Find out whether translation is legal for you – This depends on where you are and what country's law refers to translation. Some places don't require translation at all and some require proof that you know the language in question. If it's not clear, ask the company you intend on working with and if they have a translator then find out if that person knows the language themselves before signing up with them.
3. Join translation forums – Once you've picked up a few clients and feel confident in your abilities, start posting on translation forums. This is partly to build up a fan-base and show that you're capable, but it's also great for getting some tips on how to improve your skills and better yourself as a translator. Even if you can't take on any new projects right away, these forums can be invaluable for connecting with other translators who you'll hopefully meet in the real world at some point too!
4. Find out what companies need help with – You'll find lots of different businesses which need translators from small companies to multinational corporations who have vast networks all over the globe. If you have a good knowledge of languages, it should be fairly easy to find out who needs help and then put your own approach into action.
5. Keep in contact – A lot of translation work is done on a case-by-case basis, so if you meet someone who could use your services, it's recommended to stay in touch with them and keep them updated on your progress until you've earned the job. After that, maintain contact so you can get all the latest jobs from your existing clients!
6. Read up on translation techniques – Once you've got a few jobs under your belt, read up about how other translators do their work. This can come in handy for a number of reasons – you may be able to improve your own technique, you can get yourself a good reputation by using unique methods, and it'll give you an edge over other translators who aren't as well-informed.
How can I find translation work?
You've decided to take the leap and go freelance as a translator in 2019. Great! But how do you actually go about finding all the work you'll want? Here are some tips on how to make your way around the world of translation:
1. Join translation forums – Once you've got a few clients, you can start posting on translation forums and looking to connect with other translators. This will give you a great idea of what's needed in terms of language expertise and how to approach the work. You'll also hear the opinions of other translators on any projects you might be interested in.
2. See if there are translator groups – There are many different types of web-based translator groups which you can sign up for. These can range from simple discussion groups where everyone is chatting about which language they speak as well as how long they've been working as translators, to more serious sounding ones with topic-specific working groups or mailing lists for specific languages and areas of focus.
3. Learn about the field – If you want to make the most of your expertise and learn how to best approach each type of work, then check out some translation guides. These will show you all the options for each language as well as how you should go about contacting clients to get work. They'll also give you tips on how to handle and deal with new clients and different kinds of jobs.
4. Become a professional – You can do this by joining an industry association or getting involved in relevant government bodies.
Conclusion
There you have it – all the information you need to know about how to become a successful translator. You can now take all these instructions, get out there and start working your magic on any language you like.
Do you have any questions or comments? We'd love to hear what you think in the comment section below. Thanks for reading!
Related Content: How To Become A Translator | An Overview Of Job Opportunities In Translation
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