Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

For those other oldbies who stay in a country for a while and learn the language. Have you ever managed to get into written translation? I'm looking for ways to spread my income over several sources and translation seems like a good way to go. I've found proz.com , but there seems to be an adundance of Spanish to English translators. Anyone have any recommendations?

In Peru, I'd be hesitatnt to go to companies since most translators here just make about 5 usd a page.

[khmerhit]

FIVE DOLLARS A PAGE!!!?

That sounds a lot to me NG

I did some translation in Cambodia but it was more like 3 bucks a page

if memory serves

the trick to making money is to get others to do the work!!

you coould start yr own agency


Cambodia--try it and see

[Vanica]

You might look up lawyers and immigration consultants for work.

[MikeySaid]

In Mexico good translation will cost you upwards of 300 pesos a page but some people charge as little as 50 a page and quality is usually directly linked to cost. To weed out clients that aren't serious I always tell people I charge 200 per cuartilla and that means I only pick up a translation here and there, but can get paid handsomely when I take one on.

It's a bit difficult here though because you have to get certified as a perito traductor.

[mspxlation]

I am a professional translator (Japanese>English), and I think that most people underestimate the amount of language and the skill set that one needs to be successful in that career.

First of all, you have to be a good writer in English.

Second, you have to have either a background in a subject that is in demand or the ability to learn unfamiliar fields quickly.

Finally, since translators are paid by the word and income depends on volume, you need to know the source language well enough that you can read a news magazine and understand the majority of the article without looking up any words. (You don't have to know every word, but if you have to look up a word or two in every sentence, you'll never meet your deadlines and won't make any money.)

By the way, most translation work is in business or technical subjects. If you dream of a career in translating literature, forget it. Unless you are very, very, very lucky, it's unlikely to happen. As a rule, English speakers don't buy translations of foreign literature, so publishers don't publish much of it.

By the way, unless you are a true bilingual, equally strong in both languages, it is wisest to translate only INTO your native language, not out of it. Otherwise, you may end up making funny mistakes because you don't know all the connotations of various words.

For Japanese, rates start at about 3 cents a word and go up to 20 cents a word, with most work averaging about 10 to 15 cents. Translators of European languages earn less, because there is more competition.

Interpreting is also a possible career, but you have to be very strong in both languages, because you don't have time to look things up, and you have to be able to change channels between languages in your head. If you have those talents, interpretation is lucrative, with rates in the triple digits per day, but it's also very tiring.

By the way, my public service announcement for the day is that translators are people who work with written material, while interpreters work with spoken language. Some people do both, but most people specialize in one or the other.

[naturegirl321]

[Vanica]

If you want to practice interpretation, try shadowing. This is following a radio or television programme and repeating exactly what was said as they continue to speak. This will train you to be able to speak and listen at the same time. Then try it from Spanish to English. Be warned, newscasters and radio announcers specialise in speaking very fast, so it is best to work with other types of broadcasts.

For translation work, you would be best to approach already established agencies, or lacking that, companies that have international business, such as American subsidiaries.

[notamiss]

I sent you a pm.

[victoriaw]

A well-paid field in the translation market is live phone interpretation. Besides the good rates, you don't do long sessions of work.

[fladude]

It also depends on where you live. If you can really interpret, the US Court system pays very well. I know you speak Spanish but you need to be able to understand different regional dialects, especially Mexico and Colombia which have a lot of clients. I know that you have been in Peru so I would advise spending a year in Mexico to make sure you can understand their dialect fully so that you can interpret it quickly and on demand. You don't want to stumble your first time in court. I am sure that you can get a job while you are there anyway. Figure rates at around 60 bucks an hour. Of course you have to work inside the US or in a US territory (although pay rates are probably lower in the territories).

[Glenski]

I do proofreading and copyediting, not translation here in Japan. I charge far more per page. So do professional outfits. Sometimes it is not wise to go on a per-page basis. Hourly might be more suitable. One has to think about first revision vs. second revision, too. You may be asked to do things in a hurry, so a rush fee can be incurred. Level of difficulty should also be taken into consideration.

Just don't get in over one's head. Saying you can translate a computer user manual full of highly technical terms, and being unable to render the appropriate language is embarrassing. I've seen that happen.

[naturegirl321]

Editing is hard work here. I think for now I'll stick to teaching then get into admin.

[naturegirl321]

[TeresaLopez]

[naturegirl321]