I would like to get established. What should I look into? Thread poster: Flemming Winther
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Flemming Winther
Denmark
Local time: 10:10
Member (2010)
English to Danish
+ ...
Hello everyone
I would like to become more established as a translator, and am looking for the best way to do that. I've spent the last few days perusing the Proz forum, to learn what the experts say about this. The general consensus is that I should only translate into my own language, I should try to specialize in one thing and I should consider myself not so much an individual looking for work, but a one man company. That seems like sound advice.
I have an MA in inte... See more Hello everyone
I would like to become more established as a translator, and am looking for the best way to do that. I've spent the last few days perusing the Proz forum, to learn what the experts say about this. The general consensus is that I should only translate into my own language, I should try to specialize in one thing and I should consider myself not so much an individual looking for work, but a one man company. That seems like sound advice.
I have an MA in international information and linguistics, which is an international commercial degree that centers around correct use of language, public relations and marketing communications. Translation was an integral part of my degree, and coupled with some freelance work and translation duties during communications jobs, I have 2-3 years as a translator under my belt.
So now I wonder how to make the next step. I guess I am still too much of a generalist to actively pursue specialized jobs. With that in mind I realize I need more experience. What kind of jobs should I go for, and what are the best places/ways to get them?
There are a few other more specific questions on my mind, but I'd like to avoid turning this post into an all-night read, so I'll stop here for now.
Any nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
Flemming Winther ▲ Collapse
| | | | Paul Cohen 
Greenland
Local time: 07:10
German to English
+ ...
| Start knocking on doors | Mar 17, 2010 |
Hi Flemming,
I'd make up a list of translating agencies in Denmark and start knocking on doors. Send out letters with your CV and examples of your work (which you could also include on your profile here). After you've established contact, call up the agencies once or twice a week to ask if they have anything for you. Be persistent -- and patient. A project manager will eventually give you an opportunity to show what you can do -- and working for agencies is a good way to get started... See more Hi Flemming,
I'd make up a list of translating agencies in Denmark and start knocking on doors. Send out letters with your CV and examples of your work (which you could also include on your profile here). After you've established contact, call up the agencies once or twice a week to ask if they have anything for you. Be persistent -- and patient. A project manager will eventually give you an opportunity to show what you can do -- and working for agencies is a good way to get started.
Held og lykke!
Paul ▲ Collapse
| | | | Damian Harrison (X)
Germany
Local time: 10:10
German to English
| Useful resources | Mar 18, 2010 |
Hi Flemming,
Oleg Rudavin's "Internet Freelancing" (available @ http://www.proz.com/books) and Alex Eames "How to earn $80,000..." are both packed with useful information on getting established. Another useful source of ideas and inspiration is Kevin Lossner's Translation Tribulations blog. Finally, various articles contributed by members of Proz also contain some invaluable advice on setting yourself up... See more Hi Flemming,
Oleg Rudavin's "Internet Freelancing" (available @ http://www.proz.com/books) and Alex Eames "How to earn $80,000..." are both packed with useful information on getting established. Another useful source of ideas and inspiration is Kevin Lossner's Translation Tribulations blog. Finally, various articles contributed by members of Proz also contain some invaluable advice on setting yourself up (http://www.proz.com/translation-articles/).
Best
Damian
[Edited at 2010-03-18 03:12 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | "Translator" in Denmark | Mar 18, 2010 |
I just wanted to add the note that, as a colleague mentioned in the fora you should be careful about the use of the title "Translator" in Danish unless you have a MA in translation and interpretation. Apparently the title "Translator" or "Interpreter" is reserved in Danish to those having the MA. Maybe you can double-check that and see whether it is true, perhaps by calling a Danish translator association.
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Flemming Winther
Denmark
Local time: 10:10
Member (2010)
English to Danish
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Further options? | Mar 18, 2010 |
Hello all.
Thank you for your replies and feedback. I will definitely follow up on your advice.
Agencies in Denmark are certainly worth trying, but can't I adopt a more global approach to getting these first jobs? There must be agencies everywhere that need Danish translation. Would it be unrealistic to try them as well?
I also wonder if there are online job postings for assignments, like what is found in the Proz job directory, that I could approach. I know as a... See more Hello all.
Thank you for your replies and feedback. I will definitely follow up on your advice.
Agencies in Denmark are certainly worth trying, but can't I adopt a more global approach to getting these first jobs? There must be agencies everywhere that need Danish translation. Would it be unrealistic to try them as well?
I also wonder if there are online job postings for assignments, like what is found in the Proz job directory, that I could approach. I know as a relatively inexperienced translator, I can't expect the best jobs right away. But perhaps there are places that offer jobs, that I have a good chance of getting, with the drawback that it pays a little less. Of course without taking my rates too far down. I still have to make a living. Do any of you know of such places?
Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:
I just wanted to add the note that, as a colleague mentioned in the fora you should be careful about the use of the title "Translator" in Danish unless you have a MA in translation and interpretation. Apparently the title "Translator" or "Interpreter" is reserved in Danish to those having the MA. Maybe you can double-check that and see whether it is true, perhaps by calling a Danish translator association.
Yes you are right, the title of "Translatør" is protected in Denmark. The degree that offers this title is a sister degree to what I have. Both start out together with the same basic courses, and then branch out in the latter part of the degrees. So I can't use it. Luckily we have a synonym for translator that I can use. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Edward Vreeburg
Netherlands
Local time: 10:10
Member (2008)
English to Dutch
+ ...
| Make sure you can be found | Mar 18, 2010 |
With a list of : danish, english, german, IT, software, technology, manuals, localization, brochures, games, film, TV YOU are in the same batch as 10.000 other translators,
So now you add, Analytical Biochemical instruments, suddenly you are only one of 10 translators...
Now look at who is willing to buy your translations, you've been to Calgary, how many people need Danish there?
Do all your friends, relatives and contacts know you are a translator now - adver... See more With a list of : danish, english, german, IT, software, technology, manuals, localization, brochures, games, film, TV YOU are in the same batch as 10.000 other translators,
So now you add, Analytical Biochemical instruments, suddenly you are only one of 10 translators...
Now look at who is willing to buy your translations, you've been to Calgary, how many people need Danish there?
Do all your friends, relatives and contacts know you are a translator now - advertise in big neon letters on your car, LinkedIN, Facebook, at birthday parties, etc etc...
Look at the 10 last jobs you had, what subject fields where they?
Who are your most important clients, can they give you more work?
Have you got your business set up correctly, do you need tools, training, new computer, business cards?
For film & TV , do you have experience with subtitling, do you own special software to do this?
Contact all the local translation agencies and see if they have something for you.
And last but not least, get into contact with a few colleage translators so, you can shift work around, or can proofread your work...
Well, that's probably enough for you to do this week, ... perhaps somebody else can give you some more pointers.....
Have fun
Ed Vreeburg
Translate.ED ▲ Collapse
| | | | pcovs
Denmark
Local time: 10:10
English to Danish
| This is true | Mar 18, 2010 |
Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:
I just wanted to add the note that, as a colleague mentioned in the fora you should be careful about the use of the title "Translator" in Danish unless you have a MA in translation and interpretation. Apparently the title "Translator" or "Interpreter" is reserved in Danish to those having the MA. Maybe you can double-check that and see whether it is true, perhaps by calling a Danish translator association.
It is true that "Translatør" is a protected title in Danish, and therefore it can only be used by people holding the MA in Translation and Interpretation.
If a person sees him/herself qualified to translate without this MA, he/she should simply refrain from using this specific word and instead saying something like: 'I translate' (as opposed to 'I'm a Translator'.
Back to the advice:
Ask yourself why you would like to translate when your work experience and education is so packed with good marketing experience?
Once you have established that it is not from a desire to make an easy buck (haha), but because you really feel for it and that you have the qualifications to do so, you can move on.
At the set-out I would certainly take jobs in line with my experience, i.e. marketing related jobs. This is known material to you, and you may have a good knowledge of how and where to find reference material.
In this rather "safe" setup, you may investigate what it really means to translate on a freelance basis and decide on further action.
Good luck.
| | | | Michele Fauble
United States
Local time: 01:10
Member (2006)
Norwegian to English
+ ...
| Oversætter (translator) | Mar 18, 2010 |
PCovs wrote: Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:
I just wanted to add the note that, as a colleague mentioned in the fora you should be careful about the use of the title "Translator" in Danish unless you have a MA in translation and interpretation. Apparently the title "Translator" or "Interpreter" is reserved in Danish to those having the MA. Maybe you can double-check that and see whether it is true, perhaps by calling a Danish translator association. It is true that "Translatør" is a protected title in Danish, and therefore it can only be used by people holding the MA in Translation and Interpretation. If a person sees him/herself qualified to translate without this MA, he/she should simply refrain from using this specific word and instead saying something like: 'I translate' (as opposed to 'I'm a Translator'.
"Translatør" may be a protected title in Danish, but surely you can call yourself an "oversætter" in Danish and a "translator" in English even without an MA in Translation and Interpretation?
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pcovs
Denmark
Local time: 10:10
English to Danish
Yes, you can call yourself 'oversætter', but I do believe that this discussion is a little beside the point here.
I assumed that Tomás had a reason to his word of caution, although I have not seen Flemming use the word "Translatør" anywhere, and I simply commented on this.
I was the one making this comment to another Danish posting, because this particular person had actually used the protected title without having the education to make it legal for him/her to do so.
... See more Yes, you can call yourself 'oversætter', but I do believe that this discussion is a little beside the point here.
I assumed that Tomás had a reason to his word of caution, although I have not seen Flemming use the word "Translatør" anywhere, and I simply commented on this.
I was the one making this comment to another Danish posting, because this particular person had actually used the protected title without having the education to make it legal for him/her to do so.
Flemming is asking for advice on getting started, not on whether he can call himself this or that, so let's stick to that. ;o) ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Of course! It was just a reminder | Mar 19, 2010 |
PCovs wrote:
Yes, you can call yourself 'oversætter', but I do believe that this discussion is a little beside the point here.
I assumed that Tomás had a reason to his word of caution, although I have not seen Flemming use the word "Translatør" anywhere, and I simply commented on this.
I was the one making this comment to another Danish posting, because this particular person had actually used the protected title without having the education to make it legal for him/her to do so.
Flemming is asking for advice on getting started, not on whether he can call himself this or that, so let's stick to that. ;o)
Indeed. My apologies for having added a possibly unnecessary ingredient to the conversation. When I read the forum I just thought I'd mention it based on your earlier comment in another forum, in case the topic starter was not aware of this (I was not until you mentioned it).
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