Translation & Interpretation as a Profession

1. Translation & Interpretationas a Profession Presented by CHICATA The Chicago Area Translators & Interpreters Association

2. Language Skills • More than just bilingual • Formal language training • Residence in source language country • Accreditation (offered by various bodies e.g. ATA, State Dept., court system)

3. Subject Area Knowledge • Formal training • Self-education • Experience!!

4. Work into native language Need excellent writing skills in TL, excellent compre-hension of SL Need knowledge of subject matter Can work in both directions (F<>E) Need good public speaking skills Consecutive vs. simultaneous Translators Interpreters

5. Gist/FYI - summary, general meaning Inbound - within the organization, for informational purposes Outbound - external to organization, detail and meaning important Types of Translation

6. Types of Interpretation • Consecutive • Simultaneous • Escort

7. The Process of Translation --The TEP Process-- • Terminology research • Subject matter research Translate Edit Proof • Sentence structure • Readability • Check spelling, grammar, tables, charts, graphs • Completeness

8. Working as Freelancer(aka Independent Contractor) • Flexibility • Variety • Highly competitive • Continual self-marketing • Peaks & valleys in income • Tax issues

9. INDUSTRY Steady work but income capped Gain translation experience Gain subject area knowledge Office politics TRANSLATION CO. Project coordination, editing, proofreading Interface between client and translator Exposure to all aspects of T&I industry Working In-house

10. How to Find Work • Translation-specific résumé • For freelance work, mainly via Internet (see sites in handout) • Research the exports, major industries in your SL countries • Working with direct clients = lots of client education!

11. Working with Agencies • Samples and “test” translations • See the job before you agree to it • Establish rate & deadline up front • Details: Reproduce charts, tables? Format exactly as original? Provide glossary? • Ask for feedback, editor’s comments

12. How Much Can I Earn? • Paid by the word in U.S.; other countries often pay by line or page • Rates subject to supply & demand, language combo (JCK vs. FIGS) • Rates can vary according to difficulty, deadline, size of project

13. Freelancing & Home Office • Equipment: computer, fax, e-mail are essential; scanner, CAT tools optional, depending on specialization • Business cards, letterhead, separate fax and phone lines (all good for establishing the legitimacy of your biz to the IRS)

14. Machine Translation and Computer-Aided Translation • Will never replace human translators... • …but do have a place in the industry • Good for gist translations • MT requires post-editing

15. Networking • National groups: ATA, TTIG, NAJIT • Local groups: CHICATA, MICATA • Professional organizations in your specialty(ies) • Volunteer work

16. Resources • Internet • Print • CD-ROM • Miscellaneous: your own collection of material in both SL and TL (e.g. from industry journals in your specialization)