| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | How to get hired when you only had one job? Thread poster: ressel
|
|---|
Neil Coffey 
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:30
French to English
+ ...
Kirsten Bodart wrote:
reading skills. Where A1 is total beginner and C2 is more than excellent. Of course there is no perfection and that is not what is implied in C2, but it tells the customer (or should anyway) that that person can hold a pretty deep conversation on serious issues without having problems of expressing himself, can also discuss things on paper in an adequate way and read proper texts without missing nuances.
My feeling was that putting this on a translation CV just sounds a little bit like saying "know how to use Microsoft Word and search for stuff on Google"-- it's more a basic expectation of a language specialist than something that's really going to separate the men from the boys.
| | | | Kirsten Bodart
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:30
Dutch to English
+ ...
| basic requirement | Jun 28, 2011 |
Neil Coffey wrote: Kirsten Bodart wrote:
reading skills. Where A1 is total beginner and C2 is more than excellent. Of course there is no perfection and that is not what is implied in C2, but it tells the customer (or should anyway) that that person can hold a pretty deep conversation on serious issues without having problems of expressing himself, can also discuss things on paper in an adequate way and read proper texts without missing nuances.
My feeling was that putting this on a translation CV just sounds a little bit like saying "know how to use Microsoft Word and search for stuff on Google"-- it's more a basic expectation of a language specialist than something that's really going to separate the men from the boys.
My husband teaches translators in the European Institutions in Brussels and Luxembourg and wrote the syllabi for the system. Mainly people who translate governmental texts tend to have maybe C2 in that particular direction, but do not have an overall C2. Some of them only are B2 (upper intermediate), certainly in oral production they are somtimes lacking. It depends in what market you are working. If you are doing literary, you better be C2 or C2+ (that one is my own invention), also if you are translating in a non-native language, but otherwise, I would not say it is not a basic requirement (in some fields).
Agree with Sheila.
| | | | apk12
Germany
Local time: 10:30
English to German
+ ...
| Cannot agree | Jun 28, 2011 |
I really cannot agree with the following:
Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:
To me, nothing is more important than your actual name and an honest profile. Yes, you can add many things at this moment: your true name, ...
If you look around on the forum here, you will find that many translators choose to use a pseudonyme or initials for the public profile. It's not without reason - identity theft in various ways is a real issue nowadays - including theft of your name, sometimes even with your entire CV in order to apply for translation jobs (there was recently a forum topic regarding such a case, here is the link) - up to "harvesting" entire profile databanks. It was in 2009 when a forum thread went "burning", a thread about such a case of profile theft (here is the link).
The name on your public profile says nothing about "honesty" - your client gets your name disclosed upon direct contact, that's absolutely enough.
[Edited at 2011-06-28 10:52 GMT]
| | | | | Excellent command of French | Jun 28, 2011 |
I think it is obviously better to have good written and oral skills but what you need to translate is having excellent reading skills in your source languages and excellent command of your native language. CEFR is a good reference, but you do not need to express yourself "spontaneously, very fluently and precisely" in your source languages in order to be a good translator. You might need those skills however to promote your services.
| | |
|
|
|
vvanderlaan
Local time: 03:30
Japanese to English
+ ...
| Starting the process | Jun 28, 2011 |
Sara Meservey wrote:
I would warmly advice you, if you really are interested IN starING a career as freelance translator and interpreter to get some kind of qualification. A college degree would be better (there are many schools for interpreters and translators. In France there is one of the world best schools the ETI in Paris).
Sara
While I do agree that it's tiresome consistently running into non-professionals trying to break into translation simply because they have a good command of a second language, I totally disagree on your advice.
Training - Important, definitely, and like you mention ETI is a fantastic option, but spending 40kEU on a different graduate program many times will not be worth it. Cost-benefit analysis over the long term, this over course changes if you're looking into conference interpreting which (in my opinion) requires a certain degree more of training and also certification. To be fair, I also have my degree in translation studies - but don't believe that it is necessary, and probably the largest benefit of the program was giving me incentive to translate and to practice.
To the OP - Take on some free translation opportunities around you, build your CV, and maybe enroll in a class/seminar or two and see how you enjoy the process of translating. From there you can make a more informed decision on enrolling into a college degree program.
| | | | | Pages in topic: < [1 2] | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » How to get hired when you only had one job? | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
| | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
