| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | How to get started with no degree in translation Thread poster: Anya-S
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Anya-S
United States
TOPIC STARTER | Technical Spanish>English pairing | Jul 1, 2013 |
Emma Goldsmith wrote: Anya-S wrote:
Perhaps I should not list Spanish>English on resume as it seems more difficult to get work with this pairing
That depends. Sheila is absolutely right that the Spanish>English pair is only saturated at the very bottom end of the market. With a Master's in industrial design and work experience in the same field, you won't find it hard to get work when you get yourself known. I translate Spanish>English in a specialised field and turn down work almost every day at quite a high rate.
I'm happily surprised to hear that!
As far as business names, I'll probably come up with a name for the business but operate under my middle name and real last name. That should resolve Google issues be less tricky legally.
| | | | | British Council | Jul 1, 2013 |
Anya-S wrote:
I appreciate the feedback, and am glad to know that the lack translation degree does not seem to be the impediment I had thought. I am in the US though - I thought the DipTrans was taken in the UK, but perhaps it's also available online? Unfortunately, I'm not in the position to travel outside the US to acquire credentials at this time. My master's is in industrial design, and I also have a background in engineering through work. I have not filled in my profile yet since I am still in the consideration phase.
You can sit the exam at the British Council. There should be one somewhere reasonably close, I hope. It costs about 500 quid, though, and has a really mean pass rate.
| | | | | On being a translator | Jul 1, 2013 |
I think each individual who is or has been a translator can tell you a different story. Translators become translators in different ways: some because of their linguistic and cultural background, some as academics who worked hard on a university degree, and some by chance.
Doing it part time or full time is your choice. I did translation as an extra as a medical student for ten years, then I worked full time as a physician for about 20 years. During my residency I helped other resid... See more I think each individual who is or has been a translator can tell you a different story. Translators become translators in different ways: some because of their linguistic and cultural background, some as academics who worked hard on a university degree, and some by chance.
Doing it part time or full time is your choice. I did translation as an extra as a medical student for ten years, then I worked full time as a physician for about 20 years. During my residency I helped other residents, professors, and the organization with translation of medical documents and interpretation during rounds with physicians from abroad after graduation I was invited to work full time as an interpretor of medical conferences and as a translator of research manuscripts. I did not receive formal training or certification until a few years ago.
Times have changed and most will tell you that certification and a degree is a must but if they need you and you show good ability and real knowlege of the languages you translate, you will find work. It´s important to get yourself known, to network and maybe do some pro bono to get experience and know people. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Anya-S
United States
TOPIC STARTER | British Council exam | Jul 1, 2013 |
Łukasz Gos-Furmankiewicz wrote: Anya-S wrote:
I appreciate the feedback, and am glad to know that the lack translation degree does not seem to be the impediment I had thought. I am in the US though - I thought the DipTrans was taken in the UK, but perhaps it's also available online? Unfortunately, I'm not in the position to travel outside the US to acquire credentials at this time. My master's is in industrial design, and I also have a background in engineering through work. I have not filled in my profile yet since I am still in the consideration phase. You can sit the exam at the British Council. There should be one somewhere reasonably close, I hope. It costs about 500 quid, though, and has a really mean pass rate.
A low pass rate I take it, and $750 seems pretty steep. The testing business must be a lucrative one! I'll keep it in mind though, thank you.
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| Yeah, that's a lot | Jul 1, 2013 |
Anya-S wrote: Łukasz Gos-Furmankiewicz wrote: Anya-S wrote:
I appreciate the feedback, and am glad to know that the lack translation degree does not seem to be the impediment I had thought. I am in the US though - I thought the DipTrans was taken in the UK, but perhaps it's also available online? Unfortunately, I'm not in the position to travel outside the US to acquire credentials at this time. My master's is in industrial design, and I also have a background in engineering through work. I have not filled in my profile yet since I am still in the consideration phase. You can sit the exam at the British Council. There should be one somewhere reasonably close, I hope. It costs about 500 quid, though, and has a really mean pass rate. A low pass rate I take it, and $750 seems pretty steep. The testing business must be a lucrative one! I'll keep it in mind though, thank you.
Yeah, that's a lot and for just a chance. I can't really know how much profit they make on that (after all, somebody's got to proctor it, grade it, run the errands etc.), but should you actually pass it, then I'm pretty sure the money would be worth it. I mentioned DipTrans because actually passing it would have the magical power of trumping quite a lot of things you might not have on your résumé. It's basically a good way around not having formal qualifications.
| | | | Anya-S
United States
TOPIC STARTER | It's interesting to hear people's stories | Jul 2, 2013 |
It's interesting to hear your experience Lorenzo, and one thing that I appreciate about translation is that past work experience seems to be more respected and valued than in some other fields. Many professions tend to place a great deal of importance on traveling a straight line rather than a circuitous route (in my experience).
After hearing all the info, I doubt I'll be taking any exams at this time though. They are either too costly or require work experience that I don't have... See more It's interesting to hear your experience Lorenzo, and one thing that I appreciate about translation is that past work experience seems to be more respected and valued than in some other fields. Many professions tend to place a great deal of importance on traveling a straight line rather than a circuitous route (in my experience).
After hearing all the info, I doubt I'll be taking any exams at this time though. They are either too costly or require work experience that I don't have yet. ▲ Collapse
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If you want a certificate, why don't you enter for the WLS course(the Dublin-Ireland one)- you can do it in just 4 months, but you can also take longer and cost is only €465, depending which course you take. You can take Certificate or Diploma and encourages you- but you do not have to- take the IOL. Like that you can do the theory, realise what interests you for specialisation, though your engineering background should not be a problem to setting your language preference as Spanish, which you... See more If you want a certificate, why don't you enter for the WLS course(the Dublin-Ireland one)- you can do it in just 4 months, but you can also take longer and cost is only €465, depending which course you take. You can take Certificate or Diploma and encourages you- but you do not have to- take the IOL. Like that you can do the theory, realise what interests you for specialisation, though your engineering background should not be a problem to setting your language preference as Spanish, which you seem to favour, but think there are far too many people in that language pair. The market is far from saturated with regards to engineering ▲ Collapse
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Emma Goldsmith wrote: Anya-S wrote:
Perhaps I should not list Spanish>English on resume as it seems more difficult to get work with this pairing That depends. Sheila is absolutely right that the Spanish>English pair is only saturated at the very bottom end of the market. With a Master's in industrial design and work experience in the same field, you won't find it hard to get work when you get yourself known. I translate Spanish>English in a specialised field and turn down work almost every day at quite a high rate.
Get yourself a website that's a good visualisation of 'industrial design', put across the fact that you're a Master at it (reading your degree a bit literally, you know), market yourself as a professional with previous language background making the partial lateral move into translation. That should work. Heck, you might want to play around with the design and code on your own (since you'll probably end up localising a website or two sooner or later).
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Anya-S
United States
TOPIC STARTER
Josephine Cassar wrote:
If you want a certificate, why don't you enter for the WLS course(the Dublin-Ireland one)- you can do it in just 4 months, but you can also take longer and cost is only €465, depending which course you take. You can take Certificate or Diploma and encourages you- but you do not have to- take the IOL. Like that you can do the theory, realise what interests you for specialisation, though your engineering background should not be a problem to setting your language preference as Spanish, which you seem to favour, but think there are far too many people in that language pair. The market is far from saturated with regards to engineering
That is probably a good option for me & I wonder if the WLS course would satisfy the education requirement for the ATA exam (w/out 2 years translating experience). I'll have to hunt down their list of "approved T&I degrees and certificates". I like that the ATA's practice tests are relatively inexpensive. Seems very useful to take some prior to sitting for the exam.
| | | | Anya-S
United States
TOPIC STARTER
Łukasz Gos-Furmankiewicz wrote: Emma Goldsmith wrote: Anya-S wrote:
Perhaps I should not list Spanish>English on resume as it seems more difficult to get work with this pairing That depends. Sheila is absolutely right that the Spanish>English pair is only saturated at the very bottom end of the market. With a Master's in industrial design and work experience in the same field, you won't find it hard to get work when you get yourself known. I translate Spanish>English in a specialised field and turn down work almost every day at quite a high rate. Get yourself a website that's a good visualisation of 'industrial design', put across the fact that you're a Master at it (reading your degree a bit literally, you know), market yourself as a professional with previous language background making the partial lateral move into translation. That should work. Heck, you might want to play around with the design and code on your own (since you'll probably end up localising a website or two sooner or later).
Yes, a website is on my to-do list also. It seems you need one for everything these days! This may be one of the later tasks on my list though. I've had 2 done (one myself and one contracted out). I'm very picky with design and function, so I actually find the process somewhat stressful.
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