Any freelance translators out there in MNland?

[robino]

Anybody mind talking me through how you got started?

Have a degree in French/ Italian. Taught secondary languages until last year. 2 DDs aged 2 and 8 months.

Have started the WLS distance course which prepares you for Institute of Linguistics Diploma and am SLOWLY working through it (not getting much sleep at mo, no brain power left!). Planning to get jumping with that soon.

Then what? Any advice would be VERY gratefully received.

I have worked as a translator - freelance and inhouse - Uk and abroad so should be able to advise a bit.

1. All the money/business is in specialised fields - IT, economics/finance/banking, medical, legal, insurance etc etc. Very little work/money in literary or film/sub-titling etc and very closed network of people.

2. Think long and hard about any experience you have. Then choose your area. Find out as much as you can about terminology in that area. (eg. if you're going to specialise in finance/accounting, send off for loads of annual reports in french/italian and english then make a database of vocab etc.

3. you'll need translation memory software (trados or deja vu both good)

4)I always got work through word of mouth/contacts based on where I'd worked in-house. there are tons of agencies to approach - offer to do a test for free. Don't neglect agencies in france and Italy too (all my work came from Paris)

5. join the ITI and network like mad!!

6. Think about childcare issues - to begin with you may be given the work no-one else wants (late at night, weekends etc)

Have to go out now but will come back on tonight with more tips and to answer any questions.

I have just started!!! I have only had 2 jobs so far which have paid a pittance but I am hoping that I can build up a regular client base. If you haven't already you should take a look at proz.com.

Hi Robino,

I've worked both here and abroad so hope this helps.

Contact as many agencies as you can, no matter where they are, really, as you'll be teleworking. As Thirtysomething said, they'll probably ask you to take a short test that they'll send you and that you'll have to send back in a period specified by them. They'll also ask you to register with them, they can send an electronic info-pack or a paper one that you'll have to return by post.

Starting from scratch obviously takes a bit of time, but don't be discouraged I started less than a year ago here in the UK and now I'm getting quite a lot of work.

You can also contact your local chamber of commerce. They can give you contact details of local places that work with translators. They are usually very helpful.

Read a lot! A bit of everything... be up to date with current affairs, etc. Once you choose the field you're most interested in, you can start reading specialised material and building your own glossaries.

If you need anything else, just let me know, happy to help

Ooh! Thank you! I wasn't sure I'd find anybody

So, here's your starter for 10... buzz in please!

1. Did/ do you have specific qualifications (eg MA or IOL Diploma)? Anybody start without a specific qualification?

2)How did you go about building up/ maintaining your glossaries/ databases? Did you use excel or access or translation memory tool? (I'm guessing paper would be rather cumbersome and pointless)

Crying child - will be back!

Hi Robino!

1. When I first started with translation (back in 2001) I was still studying (like you), so I had no formal certificates yet. Don't let that stop you. As long as you do your work properly and always professionally, then it doesn't matter if you're still studying. Go on with your course, don't leave it, no matter how "slowly" you do it...

2. You can choose your preferred method. With specific fields, for example, within medicine: cardiology, oncology, etc, it's really useful to have different and separate glossaries. Paper is useful, but not on a permanent basis as you cannot put the terms in alphabetical order, etc. I do use notepads whenever I'm reading about something and then put the various terms in glossaries. Translation memories build themselves as you translate, so that when you have several translations of the same topic you can use them to use the same terms you've used before.

And I imagine that with DCs it's much harder (I'm expecting my first one so no real experience on that), but don't stop reading, read read read It's amazing how much you learn (vocab-wise) by doing it.

Let me know what you think.

1. Yes, have an MA in Translation and Interpreting which helped me get in-house jobs and therefore build up knowledge and contacts to go freelance, but not sure if it's necessary as such to have an MA.....doing the Institute of linguists qualifications may be just as useful?

2. ditto Naat's advice - translation memories build themselves once you have the right software, but it would be a good idea to start creating glossaries in your chosen field asap.

Good luck - happy to answer any more questions

I am. I did an MA in Translation, which I loved, even though it was quite a stressful time- working part-time (16 hours a week), looking after 3 primary school-agers and doing the full time MA. I have to say though that I found the MA nowhere near as demanding as my first degree. I'd never have been able to do childcare+ work+ degree back then.

Incidentally, is anyone else finding work really slow at the moment?

robino- funny about you also being a Secondary teacher- that's also my first incarnation. Dumped it because I found I couldn't parent 3 children and teach at the same time.

I'm a secondary French/Italian teacher and with child 3 due soon I do wonder if working 3 days a week in a school and paying childcare will be worth it. However I do need to work and bring in some money. Thirtysomething gave me v good advice on this in the past but I still haven't done anything about it. Is the IOL Diploma v challenging? I mean would it be a bit nuts to try and do it during a mat leave? Also if established translators are finding work a bit thin on the ground would this be a sensible career choice?

Yes, it's definitely been slow off and on since January, I'm taking work I would have sniffed at last year...

I've got an MA in translation and work freelance full time, combined with interpreting and teaching interpreting.

My advice pretty much reflects what's already been said above, plug round agencies, do their tests, keep a record of who you've called, contact names etc. and call them back a few weeks later if you haven't heard. I've found sending out CVs to be a waste of time - but I've had a lot of luck phoning up and asking if I can meet them for a coffee to discuss opportunities etc.

At first you will be bottom of their list and they'll only call you when their usual translators are busy - but if you are super efficient and make their lives easier by being supergood and efficient, you'll work your way up.

I second the comment above about the trying agencies in other countries, i.e. France and Italy for you, OP.

In my opinion, an MA is a good idea, it opens doors much more than the IOL qualification.

Good luck!