to wonder how to get the experience I need to become a freelance translator?

[mrshudson221b]

Hi
I am planning to sit the Institute of Linguists' Diploma in Translation - Italian into English - next January and if I pass the first time (as apparently loads of people don't ), French into English in January 2018.

I know it takes a while to get going as a freelance translator, but I am wondering how I am even going to break into it. Have been hunting high and low for voluntary translations on the internet but have only managed to leave my details with a few websites that organise free translations (mainly for charities). I don't think it will come to much, also because the languages they seem to need tend to be less "run of the mill".

So if you make money from translating I am wondering how you started and what tips you might have. I know that translating internships are one way in, but at 47 I don't think I am the kind of person agencies are looking for as an intern.

Thanks gastropod.

Will start by looking at the translating technology and trying to find friends who might need help with translation (I like the website idea). Am still at this stage very much studying for the exam in January so still working on my abilities - best to concentrate on that too.

Thanks for all the advice on this thread. It's been really great - I am going to make a list from it and try to put it into practice.

Just wondering what kind of yearly figure it is possible to earn as a translator?

When I freelanced (this was over ten years ago), I was averaging around 3000 euros a month, after tax, charges and so on (was based in France).

That was based on a steady rate of around 3000 plus words per day, 5 days a week. At the time I charged between 8 and 10 euro cents a word to agencies and around 12 cents per word to direct clients. I'm afraid I don't know what average rates are these days.

This was for mostly technical, IT and website translation. Medical, financial and legal pays more but you need good experience and/or qualifications in the field.

It's hard work but rewarding, interesting, and you can make a decent living if you are committed.

Agency rates generally have fallen in the last few years, because the Internet-based freelancing model enables agencies to employ cheaper translators in lower wage countries. You'll probably have some exchange rate risk to price in, as a lot of agency work is paid in dollars or euros.

Some agencies will place work at well below the rates gastro quotes above - it is a competitive business and there is a lot of competition for the less specialised work. (DH won't work below his minimum: he'd rather not work at all). I think a beginner agency translator working full-time would be doing well to clear €2k a month - initially you spend a lot of time double-checking client specs, googling acronyms etc - but a good translator working in a specialised field for regular clients can easily double that. It helps if you can do some flexible hours as the agency model seems to involve placing work with in-house translators when possible, and then farming out the overflow, which means that it is helpful to have some availability at weekends or evenings/ early mornings.