Second year Geography student wanting to get into translating - feedback needed Thread poster: noname12 (X)
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noname12 (X)
English to German
Hello,
I am new to this forum, and am currently in my second year of studying Geography (BA Hons) in Plymouth, England. I am 24 years old, originally from Germany, but have lived in English speaking countries, such as the US, Australia and now the UK, for the past 6 years or so. I therefore almost consider my English to be my second native language. I have done two years of studying Spanish at school level, and am about to start studying it again in an evening school here in Plymouth.
... See more Hello,
I am new to this forum, and am currently in my second year of studying Geography (BA Hons) in Plymouth, England. I am 24 years old, originally from Germany, but have lived in English speaking countries, such as the US, Australia and now the UK, for the past 6 years or so. I therefore almost consider my English to be my second native language. I have done two years of studying Spanish at school level, and am about to start studying it again in an evening school here in Plymouth.
Upon finishing my Geography degree I would love to go into translating. I realise that my Spanish won't be at a high enough standard for quite a few years, but I would like to make use of my bilinguality, e.g. translate from German into English and vice versa.
So much for a bit of a background. I now have a few little questions.
First of all, would you recommend doing a MA in Translation, in order to gain some relevant qualifications in the field? If yes, can anyone recommend any in either the UK or Germany? Or possibly something via distance learning?
Secondly, how does someone starting out in the translating business gain experience? Could it be something so minor as translating a German family member's website into English and using that as a reference to show to potential employers?
Thirdly, would you say that translators who can only translate into one language can make a living out of this job?
That's all the questions I can think of... for now! I'm sure I can think of a million more in a few minutes, ha ha.
Anyways, thank you for your help! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Heinrich Pesch 
Finland
Local time: 22:04
Member (2003)
Finnish to German
+ ...
| You need a speciality | Mar 22, 2012 |
In a combination like EN-DE you can make a living only if you have a background in some field of specialisation like law, medicine or natural science, engineering etc. There are too many who can translate general subjects like web-pages and the like, so you would have to work for peanuts.
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 20:04
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| Marketing and specialising | Mar 22, 2012 |
spoeke wrote:
I am new to this forum
Hello, Spoeke (is that your name?),
Welcome to ProZ.com. I hope you are finding lots of things to interest you on the site in general and particularly on this "Getting Established" forum. Even if you are not at this point wanting to market your services as a freelance translator, it would help us if you could complete your profile so that we know a little more about you.
would you recommend doing a MA in Translation, in order to gain some relevant qualifications in the field?
It would certainly be a logical move and a good way to start a career in translation, if that's what you are looking for.
Secondly, how does someone starting out in the translating business gain experience? Could it be something so minor as translating a German family member's website into English and using that as a reference to show to potential employers?
You could certainly do that. You could also offer to translate for charitable organisations and/or blogs etc in subjects that interest you. Please bear in mind that if people are going to make money out of the translation (e.g. the translated website of a profit-making company), then they should pay you to do the work. Doing commercial translations for free is not good practice for you or for the industry.
The important thing is to get quality feedback, and that's the difficult thing. It's the main reason that I recommend every translator follow some sort of training course, even if it's only a basic one.
Thirdly, would you say that translators who can only translate into one language can make a living out of this job?
Heinrich has already answered that one. I would say that you will only make a living if you specialise and you are very good at what you do. Even then, you will need a lot of hard work and a lot of luck. Unless you are an in-house translator, and those jobs are rare (and who would want them anyway? ), you have to convince every client that you are the one to trust with their very important translation.
That's why I urge you to complete your profile here, work on a marketing-style CV, and get some sort of training in setting up and running a business. Business training may be secondary to translation training, but it is very important and unfortunately it seems to be missing from most translation MA courses.
Hope that helps.
Sheila
| | | | noname12 (X)
English to German
TOPIC STARTER
Dear Sheila, dear Heinrich,
thank you for your quick replies. I will try to fill out my profile over the next few weeks, am just about to go to Brittany for a week.
I have looked into Exeter University's translating MA and it looks like it's very much focused on the entrepreneurial aspect of translating which is great.
Thank you for the charity hint, and particularly the advice not to work for free (for businesses) is very interesting and I shall keep it in mind.
... See more Dear Sheila, dear Heinrich,
thank you for your quick replies. I will try to fill out my profile over the next few weeks, am just about to go to Brittany for a week.
I have looked into Exeter University's translating MA and it looks like it's very much focused on the entrepreneurial aspect of translating which is great.
Thank you for the charity hint, and particularly the advice not to work for free (for businesses) is very interesting and I shall keep it in mind.
Would you say that learning another language, that I could one day translate out of, would make sense or should I focus on EN-DE? If I was to learn another language, which I would be more than happy to, do you think Spanish is a bit of wasted choice? I'd imagine there is a lot of Spanish speaking people out there. I'd love to learn Dutch or Swedish but am just wondering if it was worth the trouble? Is there much demand for translators for those languages? Again, I'd guess that if a company wants something translated from Swedish into another language they'd ask an expert (or native speaker)?
Thank you for your help and patience. As you can probably tell I am a complete novice to the whole translating world!
inga (spoeke is swedish for ghost and has been something like a nickname for a long time now) ▲ Collapse
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LEXpert
United States
Local time: 14:04
Member (2008)
Croatian to English
+ ...
| On additional languages | Mar 22, 2012 |
spoeke wrote:
Would you say that learning another language, that I could one day translate out of, would make sense or should I focus on EN-DE?
While having additional languages might ultimately pay off - after a long time - in giving you more work - and thus presumably more better-paid work, I'd say that strictly on a return-for-time-invested basis one would probably profit more from improving one's translation ability in current working languages, and from judicious marketing, than from adding additional languages, unless you have an unusually large amount of free time on your hands. Realistically, developing a language from scratch or near-scratch to a working source language level will take about 5-6 years (the equivalent of, say, a university degree and a couple years' worth of professional immersion). If you pick a language closely allied to a language you already know well, you might be able to reduce that figure.
If I was to learn another language, which I would be more than happy to, do you think Spanish is a bit of wasted choice? I'd imagine there is a lot of Spanish speaking people out there. I'd love to learn Dutch or Swedish but am just wondering if it was worth the trouble? Is there much demand for translators for those languages?
The general impression I get is that the market for Spanish is overpopulated and less well paid, while the Nordic-English market is fairly robust. Of course, those are generalizations, and your mileage will very greatly depending on your own abilities.
Again, I'd guess that if a company wants something translated from Swedish into another language they'd ask an expert (or native speaker)?
They'd - hopefully - ask a native speaker of the language in question. Wouldn't the point of studying Swedish to work from it be to become the "expert" you mention?
[Edited at 2012-03-22 19:34 GMT]
| | | | | On additional languages - again | Mar 22, 2012 |
The answer to your question about whether a translator can survive on just one language pair is yes, he/she most definitely can, and can do far more than survive - they can become an expert and get to the top of the field.
It is by no means necessary, or even a good idea, to add more languages to your portfolio - you run the risk of spreading your expertise too thinly and not being supremely good at anything. By all means do it for enjoyment, fun or interest, but there is absolutely... See more The answer to your question about whether a translator can survive on just one language pair is yes, he/she most definitely can, and can do far more than survive - they can become an expert and get to the top of the field.
It is by no means necessary, or even a good idea, to add more languages to your portfolio - you run the risk of spreading your expertise too thinly and not being supremely good at anything. By all means do it for enjoyment, fun or interest, but there is absolutely no need to do it for professional reasons.
I have no wish to offend people who offer multiple language pairs (which they do for all sorts of reasons, and the particular languages involved have a big bearing on this), but if I am looking for someone to work with on a particular project I will focus my search on people who offer only the language in question, since I will expect them to be expert at it, and I don't imagine I'm alone in this approach. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 20:04
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| Multiple languages | Mar 22, 2012 |
Just to add to what has already been said, I think the investment in a new language is enormous if it's to get to a level that's sufficient to be a working language. It would be like investing half a million euros in a business that might not get off the ground. It could turn out to be a worthwhile investment, but it would more likely mean that you had limited time to work in the languages that you do know. Better to spend any free time researching terminology in your specialist areas in your tw... See more Just to add to what has already been said, I think the investment in a new language is enormous if it's to get to a level that's sufficient to be a working language. It would be like investing half a million euros in a business that might not get off the ground. It could turn out to be a worthwhile investment, but it would more likely mean that you had limited time to work in the languages that you do know. Better to spend any free time researching terminology in your specialist areas in your two languages.
Of course, if you were to move to Sweden and set up there as an English to German translator you would no doubt learn Swedish simply by being immersed in it. After a few years of residence, plus some studies in your specialist areas in Swedish, you could well be able to add Swedish as a working language. I believe many Swedes have a high level of German (as well as the inevitable near-perfect English), but I'm sure there's some work for a native German who can provide great quality.
Just to clear up any possible misunderstandings, when you say:
Again, I'd guess that if a company wants something translated from Swedish into another language they'd ask an expert (or native speaker)?
are you expecting clients to want a native Swede for Swedish into another language? If so, you need to turn your thoughts through 180°. The perfect translator is one who translates into their native language, has excellent writing skills and is an expert in the subject area. So, for a Swedish into German translation, that could be you (at some time in the future, of course).
Sheila ▲ Collapse
| | | | noname12 (X)
English to German
TOPIC STARTER | Agree with Armorel | Mar 22, 2012 |
Armorel, thank you very much for that. I must say I agree with you. A company that needs a text translated from German into English won't mind if I can also translate from Spanish, Swedish or Dutch. All they'll care about is how well I can translate from German. Very valid point!
By the way, is my username on this website meant to be my real full name? Just something I picked up on when reading through the various threads on this forum. I guess I better change my username then![]() ... See more Armorel, thank you very much for that. I must say I agree with you. A company that needs a text translated from German into English won't mind if I can also translate from Spanish, Swedish or Dutch. All they'll care about is how well I can translate from German. Very valid point!
By the way, is my username on this website meant to be my real full name? Just something I picked up on when reading through the various threads on this forum. I guess I better change my username then
Thanks again for everyone's help.. much appreciated!
___
And Sheila, yes I just realised that that part did not make any sense, as well. Thank you!
[Edited at 2012-03-22 20:57 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Claire Cox
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:04
French to English
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| Only translate into your native language | Mar 23, 2012 |
Hi Inga,
There's one point I don't think anyone has mentioned, which is that as a general rule good translators only translate into their native language. I'm not sure whether you were intending to translate into English as well as into German? Whilst your English is certainly very good, there are some tiny pointers which tell me you're not a native speaker and as such I personally wouldn't suggest you offer to translate into English, just as I certainly wouldn't try and translate i... See more Hi Inga,
There's one point I don't think anyone has mentioned, which is that as a general rule good translators only translate into their native language. I'm not sure whether you were intending to translate into English as well as into German? Whilst your English is certainly very good, there are some tiny pointers which tell me you're not a native speaker and as such I personally wouldn't suggest you offer to translate into English, just as I certainly wouldn't try and translate into French and German, my source languages. I know there are people who do, and I can think of one German lady who gave a presentation on translating from German into English at an ITI seminar which was full of errors in her suggested English - the audience full of mainly English native speakers really didn't know where to look!
All the best with your studies and your subsequent career!
Claire ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Qualification | Mar 23, 2012 |
Hi,
With regard to qualifications, I would recommend that you consider taking the Chartered Institute of Linguists DipTrans exam in your main language pair. It is a quicker and cheaper route to achieving a respected qualification than an MA. The DipTrans is especially valued in the UK, but is also known and widely respected throughout the world. Various online preparatory courses are available to prepare for this exam, which is very tough and requires careful preparation and solid c... See more Hi,
With regard to qualifications, I would recommend that you consider taking the Chartered Institute of Linguists DipTrans exam in your main language pair. It is a quicker and cheaper route to achieving a respected qualification than an MA. The DipTrans is especially valued in the UK, but is also known and widely respected throughout the world. Various online preparatory courses are available to prepare for this exam, which is very tough and requires careful preparation and solid command of your languages. It is a very useful way of displaying to potential customers a high level of competance in practical translation. You can always do an MA later, if money and time allows.
Best wishes with your career!
David ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Specialisation is the key | Mar 25, 2012 |
There are huge numbers of people round the world who can get by very well in English without a translator. (English as a Second Language...) Some study and write their university theses in English - which is not their native language, but it IS up to a very high standard.
English natives may wince and deride them as non-native, but the fact is they do it and the rest of the world accepts it. There are not enough native English translators who can take these jobs on. The situation ... See more There are huge numbers of people round the world who can get by very well in English without a translator. (English as a Second Language...) Some study and write their university theses in English - which is not their native language, but it IS up to a very high standard.
English natives may wince and deride them as non-native, but the fact is they do it and the rest of the world accepts it. There are not enough native English translators who can take these jobs on. The situation is probably quite similar with German. Google Translate and other forms of MT are not going to go away either...
So professional human translators need to step in where people who are proficient speakers and writers, but not professional linguists, fall short: where you need the text to be polished as well as accurate, and this is going to mean in highly specialised areas.
Some translators may be able to specialise in a narrower field and two or three languages, but it really is necessary to keep them all up to top level in the chosen field.
That said, language is not a precise science, no matter how many general theories are propounded. It is simply too complex, just as the human brain is too complex for fixed rules. The statistics can never accurately predict what any single individual can or should do in a given situation.
There will always be polyglots and exceptionally talented people who defy belief, let alone understanding of how they do it. More ordinary mortals need to know their own lkimitations. Hard work is crucial too, but I could work hard until doomsday, but you will never get a pianist out of me... And you have to decide for yourself how and where to specialise.
Some of the best translators I know are very humble people - they have a certain self confidence, never take anything for granted, never being afraid to ask, but then applying their own instinct and common sense.
They also know their own fields and when to say sorry, I don't know enough about that topic -try someone else.
I was exempted from the Dip. Trans, as I have a Danish postgraduate diploma, but I would certainly recommend an equivalent course in practical translation, with comparative law and cultural studies, focus on different conventions in the different language genres and so on. It saves inventing the wheel many times over!
Best of luck!
[Edited at 2012-03-25 12:39 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Definitely worth doing an MA | Mar 25, 2012 |
Hi Inga,
I would definitely recommend doing a one-year MA in translation. I did an MA in 2000-2001 and it was without doubt a good investment in my future. Not only did it give me a chance to study and practice translation intensively, I also gained an introduction to certain specialist areas of translation. Not only that, it helped me secure my first job as an in-house translator and now definitely helps me attract potential customers 10 years later.
You can pick up professional qua... See more Hi Inga,
I would definitely recommend doing a one-year MA in translation. I did an MA in 2000-2001 and it was without doubt a good investment in my future. Not only did it give me a chance to study and practice translation intensively, I also gained an introduction to certain specialist areas of translation. Not only that, it helped me secure my first job as an in-house translator and now definitely helps me attract potential customers 10 years later.
You can pick up professional qualifications later on in your career (ITI or IOL) in the UK, once you have gained some invaluable experience in the industry.
If you want to start out as a freelancer, an MA will give you an edge over those translators with just degrees and those with no formal higher qualifications who just speak another language.
If you want to try and get an in-house career or get in-house experience first, an MA will be essential as most UK employers will be looking for a master's level qualification in translation before they will think about employing you.
If you are a serious about in career in translation an MA is a very good bet. ▲ Collapse
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