A reader recently asked: "What is a way to get into translation without becoming certified? Do translators have apprentices? I would love to get into the business without having to get another degree or take classes, if possible... Any tips on where to begin a venture in freelance translation?" I'll give answers and leave the rest to other readers.
A simple, short answer is that any person with the necessary skills--wherever or however acquired--can call themselves a translator and start charging clients for their work. Their success will depend largely on the quality of their work, though also to some degree on their responsiveness, business sense, price, tools, and other factors. That said, I want to stress the necessary part of "necessary skills". Too many people (witness my entries on bad translations) think they are capable of quality work when they simply and obviously are not. Study and preparation are always good ideas.
Do translators have apprentices? Well, some would be happy to talk to you about the business, but few are so overloaded with work that they are looking for a helper. An apprentice is a competing freelancer.
For a relatively small fee you can list yourself with ProZ.com, TranslatorsBase.com, and other freelance sites and begin bidding on jobs.
I welcome more advice for this novice.
Why I take on the training of mentees
Some of the established translators in Malaysia think I'm stupid to have 'mentees' or apprentices whom I train to become translators because I introduce competition into our very small market.
Personally, I think that someone has to show these newly-qualified translators the basics. In addition to helping out these so called newbies, I benefit by being able to select the best among them to be my associates on large translation projects. ("Large" here means hundreds of pages to be completed over a short period of time, including books and manuals.)
Besides meeting those work schedules, the most pleasing aspect of this task is when you see some among them making good in the freelance translation world - some doing even better then you - such that they too are able to throw a project or two your way, or offer to do so albeit that is not the reasons underpinning your decision to help them and taking them on as your apprentices to begin with.
Good and/or bad, what goes around does come around so it's not such a difficult choice.
ALB (Abd Latiff Bidin, ATA Associate Member and Life Member, Malaysian Translators Association)
Posted by: ALB | April 28, 2006 1:28 AM | Permalink to Comment