Lynn
Job Title
Freelance Translator
Company and location
Dorset
Industry sector
Language Services
Background:
Training in accountancy before moving into foreign languages. After a degree and PGCE in Modern Languages, a few years teaching both children and adults. MA in Translation Studies and membership of two professional bodies.
What does your job involve?
I translate over the internet from a home office. I translate from French and German into English mostly for agencies. Apart from general texts I am increasingly specialising in accountancy and taxation, including annual reports, business plans and other commercial material. These are frequently for publication, often for external reporting purposes. They are also accepted in a wide variety of other formats made possible by translation memory software.
What hours do you work?
I translate during normal office hours, but with some out-of-hours work by special negotiation.
What skills and qualities are required for your job?
Up-to-date foreign language skills
An openness to develop new skills, techniques, terminology and technology
Excellent IT skills (to conduct internet searches; to build/maintain corpora & concordances; CAT tools; OCR & book-keeping software; website design)
Discretion: you must be able to preserve professional confidentiality; attention to detail; setting & meeting deadlines
What do you like most about your job?
I am my own boss. It is highly skilled work, involving liaison with large, professional organisations and there is daily contact with the foreign language and culture
Do you have any advice for people entering a similar career to yours?
Conduct yourself as a professional. Join the ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpreting) and/or CIoL (Chartered Institute of Linguists) for information and solidarity. Carry adequate Professional Indemnity Insurance. Specialisation is arguably the key to improved conditions and rates of pay.