Translation & Interpretation as a Profession Presented by CHICATA The Chicago Area Translators & Interpreters Association

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

Subject Area Knowledge n Formal training n Self-education n Experience!!

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

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

Types of Interpretation n Consecutive n Simultaneous n Escort

P roof E dit The Process of Translation n Terminology research n Subject matter research T ranslate --The TEP Process-- n Sentence structure n Readability n Check spelling, grammar, tables, charts, graphs n Completeness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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