Job Discussion Forums

[ContemporaryDog]

I am only beginning to learn Chinese, so obviously isn't something i could do right now, but it is something I was wondering this morning.

There are a fair few other laowais out there, including on this forum, who can speak Chinese to a just-about-fluent level (including reading and writing).

Has anyone ever managed to find gainful employment in the PRC doing translation?

[ContemporaryDog]

23 views and no replies... I guess nobody's ever managed to get a job here as a translator...

[shuize]

I wonder how much time qualified translators spend on this board.

[ContemporaryDog]

[Giantbudwiser]

You have to pass the HSK 6 Chinese proficiency test in order to be a qualified translator and get paid the big bucks. It�s the equivalent to the TOFEL or IELTS test for Chinese students. Good luck passing it though I know people who have studied Chinese for 5+ years and just barely passed the HSK 3 test.

[kimo]

I knew one Englishman who had learned Chinese mostly by himself who was doing translation work. He had no qualification in the language. He did, however, have advanced degrees earned at the UK's finest institutions. Lack of work for him was never an issue, nor was the pay. He, like me, has since left China.

[voodikon]

why would they need native english speakers to do translation work? nobody would understand chinese-english translations. duh. they need chinese-chinglish translations.

[Roger]

I received an offer via email of translation work from "English into French and German" as they put it; later I found out that they provided Chinglish translations of Chinese original texts. It was a translation service for Chinese customers who sell electrical appliances to E.U. customers.
The pay was around RMB 50 for every 200 words (if I remember correctly).
I didn't pursue the matter when they replied that "we always translate from Chinese into English, and YOU translate from English into French or German".
I thought this was not professional enough!

[shuize]

In my current position I am often asked to just take a "quick glance" at some of the English abstracts prepared for Japanese papers (why these abstracts must be written in English for Japanese articles is beyond me).

Invariably, however, the "quick glance" always takes considerably longer with me finally breaking down and asking the Japanese author just what the hell it is he or she is trying to say in Japanese. I agree with the post above that suggests such Chinglish or Japlish translation is not professional. In fact, I'd say it's probably harder than standard C to E or J to E translation and should be compensated at a higher rate.