getting started Thread poster: luceforma
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Hello, my name is Lucie Formanová. I am a native Czech, living in La Belle Province, Quebec, Canada. I would like to use my knowledge of my mother tongue, czech as well as english. What do I have to do to gain proficiency in translation? software, TM tools,...? Would you recommend schools (must be online)? Where can I look them up? Is there a shorter path than university? I have informal experience with interpreting and am currently engaged in unpaid translation work. How do I start a road t... See more Hello, my name is Lucie Formanová. I am a native Czech, living in La Belle Province, Quebec, Canada. I would like to use my knowledge of my mother tongue, czech as well as english. What do I have to do to gain proficiency in translation? software, TM tools,...? Would you recommend schools (must be online)? Where can I look them up? Is there a shorter path than university? I have informal experience with interpreting and am currently engaged in unpaid translation work. How do I start a road to being an accredited translator/interpreter? Thank you very much! Lucie ▲ Collapse
| | | | Rosa Foyle 
Germany
Member (2008)
Spanish to English
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| education is primary requirement | Feb 26, 2010 |
Hi Lucie,
Unfortunately a university degree (at least a BA) is a primary requirement with most professional trans. agencies. It doesn't really matter what you get your BA in, as most translators don't formally study translation (many just study a foreign laguage in addition to their major and some get a certificate in translation later; or some choose the foreign language as their major). But there really is no way around getting a degree if you want to work as a professional translator. S... See more Hi Lucie,
Unfortunately a university degree (at least a BA) is a primary requirement with most professional trans. agencies. It doesn't really matter what you get your BA in, as most translators don't formally study translation (many just study a foreign laguage in addition to their major and some get a certificate in translation later; or some choose the foreign language as their major). But there really is no way around getting a degree if you want to work as a professional translator. Since English is not your native tongue you also need to show through exams or a degree that you command the English language at an advanced level. Just living in the country isn't enough.
I have worked in translation agencies before and for technical translations, many prefer to have people who got a degree in engineering, or science. So in a way what you get your degree in depends on what your interests are. This is not to say that these translators only translate technical texts, as with time and experience a technical translator will cross over into translating other kinds of texts. In most cases agencies will also only have translators translate into their mother tongue, in order ensure that a translation sounds like a genuine text in the target language; this is true even for non-native speakers who "majored" in English. You should also keep this in mind.
At this stage don't spend hundreds of dollars on translation software, spend it on your education! Good luck!!! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 05:48
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| You should really invest in a degree | Feb 26, 2010 |
As Rosafoyle suggests, a degree in something is important nowadays for translators who are just starting out. I don't have one myself, but then I'm over 50 - I think you will be seriously handicapped in your career without one.
You don't say what areas your studies have been in so far, nor anything about your activities and interests. It's very important to specialise as a translator, unless you work in a very uncommon language pair. Obviously, if you study science, computing, medic... See more As Rosafoyle suggests, a degree in something is important nowadays for translators who are just starting out. I don't have one myself, but then I'm over 50 - I think you will be seriously handicapped in your career without one.
You don't say what areas your studies have been in so far, nor anything about your activities and interests. It's very important to specialise as a translator, unless you work in a very uncommon language pair. Obviously, if you study science, computing, medicine, law etc at uni, then that would normally be your specialisation. But it can also come from a hobby eg photography, sport, video games etc.
Translation studies are secondary, in that they can be shorter - there are several possibilities of courses online or by correspondence if you look around the web. However, you will certainly need to study translating at some point before you launch into the profession, as there are a lot of do's and dont's.
Be patient and good luck.
Sheila ▲ Collapse
| | | | babylona
Local time: 05:48
Spanish to English
| Getting started | Feb 26, 2010 |
Hi,
I hold a BA(Hons) in languages and am now thinking about a career in Translation. I am looking to study for the IoL Diplomaas I think it would improve my chances.
What I would like to know is how to go about finding freelance work to build my portfolio.
I am a registered member of Proz but very rarely receive any work through them. I have also contacted a few agencies for work.
Can anyone offer advice on finding work even if it is just a small p... See more Hi,
I hold a BA(Hons) in languages and am now thinking about a career in Translation. I am looking to study for the IoL Diplomaas I think it would improve my chances.
What I would like to know is how to go about finding freelance work to build my portfolio.
I am a registered member of Proz but very rarely receive any work through them. I have also contacted a few agencies for work.
Can anyone offer advice on finding work even if it is just a small paragraph of text?
Many thanks ▲ Collapse
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Susan Welsh
United States
Local time: 00:48
Russian to English
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| | not necessarily a full degree in your subject area... | Feb 26, 2010 |
What the others have said so far in this thread is very true. It is important to specialise in one area so that you can get to know the terminology and subject matter very well in order to produce an accurate translation.
I did things the other (or wrong!) way around. I studied a BA in Foreign Languages first and then an MA in Translation Studies. Now I am working as a translator but have still not totally specialised in a subject. I have built up a lot of experience in three or... See more What the others have said so far in this thread is very true. It is important to specialise in one area so that you can get to know the terminology and subject matter very well in order to produce an accurate translation.
I did things the other (or wrong!) way around. I studied a BA in Foreign Languages first and then an MA in Translation Studies. Now I am working as a translator but have still not totally specialised in a subject. I have built up a lot of experience in three or four fields as I have constantly translated in those areas and have thus gained a good knowledge of those subject areas. But I must admit that it's been perhaps harder this way.
So my advice would be to decide what areas interest you the most; i.e. medical, legal, finance or even engineering, geosciences, IT, chemistry... the list is endless. You need to think about how to get clients and which companies to target to build up a client base.
But I wouldn't necessarily say you need to study a full undergraduate degree in that subject. Even diplomas in the subject area would be a great start, because if you're not thinking of working in that field directly other than translating documents of that field, you probably don't need to invest three years of full time study specialising in one area to go and be a translator. The Open University offers a huge number of diplomas, certificates and degrees to do in a wide variety of areas. ▲ Collapse
| | | | juvera
Local time: 05:48
English to Hungarian
+ ...
| Diplomas - have times changed so much? ;-) | Feb 28, 2010 |
Frances Leggett wrote:
But I wouldn't necessarily say you need to study a full undergraduate degree in that subject. Even diplomas in the subject area would be a great start because if you're not thinking of working in that field directly other than translating documents of that field, you probably don't need to invest three years of full time study specialising in one area to go and be a translator. The Open University offers a huge number of diplomas, certificates and degrees to do in a wide variety of areas.
In my time - now I realise, long, long time ago - diplomas were something you studied for 5-6 years before you could graduate and receive one.
I would really like to know: should I "change" the name of my "diploma" to make people realise that it was not gained on a quickie course to familiarise myself with the basic expressions (I don't even dare to write "concepts") of my profession, but by 6 years of hard graft, sleepless nights, hands on practice and countless exams in order to be able to say that I am a professional in my chosen discipline?
If so, what name should I choose instead?
| | | | Paula Borges
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:48
Member (2010)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
I am pretty sure the Open University is a serious institution, and their courses are taken seriously.
The fact that education has been changing does not undermine your work and studies.
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juvera
Local time: 05:48
English to Hungarian
+ ...
Thank you for your kind words, but I think you misunderstood me.
I do not question the seriousness of the Open University, and I don't have to worry about being "undermined".
I was merely curious, what should I read into this:
But I wouldn't necessarily say you need to study a full undergraduate degree in that subject. Even diplomas in the subject area would be a great start..... (so) you probably don't need to invest three years of full time study - knowing wel... See more Thank you for your kind words, but I think you misunderstood me.
I do not question the seriousness of the Open University, and I don't have to worry about being "undermined".
I was merely curious, what should I read into this:
But I wouldn't necessarily say you need to study a full undergraduate degree in that subject. Even diplomas in the subject area would be a great start..... (so) you probably don't need to invest three years of full time study - knowing well, that when I gained my so called "diploma", I had to study six years for it, and three years of full time study - which is apparently now worth more than a diploma - was considered hardly more than an attempt at having a go at it.
To tell you the truth, I wasn't even curious. I know that times are changing.
I was simply trying to point out, that there are diplomas and diplomas.
For the old timers a diploma was a small step away from a doctorate, but nowadays attending a course for a few months could provide you with a "diploma". Not to mention the ones being offered not infrequently by e-mail, for a "good price".
I just find it sad, and wonder, what name I should call that hard earned piece of paper I used to call my diploma, because I do not want to call it a diploma any more.
[Edited at 2010-03-01 22:41 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Paula Borges
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:48
Member (2010)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| As far as I know | Mar 2, 2010 |
There are many things under the word Diploma. Even the Diptrans - which is an exam - is a Diploma.
In the UK a BA takes 3 years if you are studying fulltime. Perhaps you are referring to BAs and MAs?
[Edited at 2010-03-02 00:41 GMT]
| | | | juvera
Local time: 05:48
English to Hungarian
+ ...
Yes, I am referring to MA+, doctorandus, advanced professional degree, recognised by awarding a Diploma in some professions in a number of countries.
I just wanted to point out the inaccuracy of the statement one doesn't need a full degree "even diplomas ....would be a great start" because there are diplomas which are worth more than a "full degree".
| | | | Paula Borges
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:48
Member (2010)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| its just a cultural matter | Mar 2, 2010 |
In the UK, Diplomas are below BAs and MAs, in general.
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| To clarify... | Mar 4, 2010 |
juvera wrote:
Yes, I am referring to MA+, doctorandus, advanced professional degree, recognised by awarding a Diploma in some professions in a number of countries.
I just wanted to point out the inaccuracy of the statement one doesn't need a full degree "even diplomas ....would be a great start" because there are diplomas which are worth more than a "full degree".
Hi Juvera
Paula is right in the definition of diploma. I perhaps should have chosen my words better so it was good you pointed out this cultural difference. In the UK, a diploma is a shorter course and lower qualification than an undergraduate degree (bachelor of ....). A standard 3 years bachelor degree is worth 180 credits and a diploma is worth somewhere around 100 I think. So often the diploma can count towards the degree. It is usually a portion of it, some courses which are part of a bigger degree.
In fact, this cultural difference is widespread, in Spain for example I think a diploma is classed as a postgraduate too in some subjects. In the UK we also have postgraduate diplomas which are higher than a bachelor degree, but are a lesser qualification than a Master Degree or Doctorate.
But to clarify... In UK English, diploma does refer to the qualification under an undergrad degree so this is just for your information. If you are referring to the qualification you have in English with diploma, it may well be understood as not a full degree nowadays so you would need to search for the equivalent and possibly use that instead. I'm not sure about the US, but the UK and Australia use this terminology.
Hope that clears things up!
[Edited at 2010-03-04 18:54 GMT]
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