If I were consistent enough to have a core business instead of dabbling in too many things, it would be translation – at least, it is my steadiest source of income. If you happen to be looking for a Spanish-English translator, I hope you don’t need a detailed CV as I haven’t updated it in a long while, but here is a kind of mini-profile:
Languages: Spanish to English. Accepted good practice is to translate only into your native tongue, so under normal circumstances, I only translate from Spanish to English. I occasionally translate into Spanish, but there needs to be a good reason. I have varying degrees of proficiency in other languages – French, Portuguese, even Latin – but don’t work with them.
Specialities: air traffic control; civil engineering tenders; radar systems; presence and access control, etc. The full list is very long, as I have been translating professionally since 1991, approximately. Inevitably, I have worked with most language areas, though the bulk of the work that comes my way is technical.
Availability/Output: I am usually available for translation work. I turn out around 3,500-4,500 words a day comfortably and can accept up to 2,000-2,500 words a day from a single client, more when a relationship of trust has been established.
Rates and Payment: normal Spanish rates, by which I mean rates in Spain, that being where I live and have to buy my groceries. I rarely haggle, but the better the rate you offer, the more likely I am to be available. Payment on delivery would be nice, but the truth is most people pay me at 45-60 days.
Contact: send queries to jgross52 AT gmail.com, please.
And now, for your edification and amusement (if you are interested in language at least), the following are feeds from some of the sites I browse regularly to keep up to date or put myself in a translation frame of mind (this page is about the translation business – you’ll find more general, usually lighter articles about linguistics and language on the Language Stuff page). If you know a site related with translation or the translation business that would be in good company on this page, do drop me an e-mail or, better still, a comment.
Engrish.com » Is there a person who wants to listen?
Photo courtesy of SM. Stationery found in Japan.
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Thoughts On Translation » Why don’t more translation agencies…
I wonder a couple of things about translation agencies. And when I say “I wonder…,” I mean that honestly. Not as in “most agencies do it this way, and that’s clearly the wrong way.” As in “I honestly wonder.” Here we go:Why don’t more agencies have in-house translators?The knee jerk answer to this is cost and flexibility. When agencies use … [Link]
Thoughts On Translation » January coaching group: three spots left
In response to requests from a few former students, I’m going to be offering a one-month intensive coaching and accountability group in January. The group is limited to 10 people and three spots are still open.This group ($530/$515 for ATA members) is for freelancers who want one-on-one mentoring (everyone will get two one-hour phone sessions with me), plus the structure … [Link]
Thoughts On Translation » Finding your first translation clients: three ideas
“I know I can do this job, but clients don’t want to hire me without experience. So how do I get experience without experience?” This chicken/egg dilemma stymies many beginning freelancers, and it’s admittedly hard to find a way out. High-quality agencies often require at least three years of experience, and they’re the clients that many translators prefer to work … [Link]
Thoughts On Translation » Links I like
On this pre-Thanksgiving Friday (and after Colorado’s first snowstorm of the season!), here are a few links to keep you busy if you’re taking time off next week:If you’re an interpreter, note that ATA’s Credentialed Interpreter designation is now open for business. This is *not* an interpreter certification program, but it allows interpreters certified by other entities to have that … [Link]
Thoughts On Translation » Some thoughts on freelance income
We all know that freelance income and salaried income are two different things. There are hard factors (self-employment tax, health insurance, paid time off) and soft factors (flexibility, enjoying your work, being able to live where you want). But at a certain point, you have to run the numbers, which you should do at least once a year.First, come up … [Link]
Thoughts On Translation » Links I like
As we wrap up the week, here are a few links I’d recommend!Don’t quit your job to chase your dreams until you’ve read this, an excellent post from ProBlogger. I agree with ProBlogger on this one: whenever I have students who say, “That’s it! I’m giving my two weeks notice and failure is not an option!,” I feel equally excited … [Link]
Thoughts On Translation » Six things every beginning translator needs to know
Last week’s ATA conference reminded me how very intimidating and scary one’s first few years as a freelancer can be. What’s stressful? Basically everything. Everything you write or say to a client or a potential client; every translation you proofread and re-proof and re-proof, worrying that there’s a horrific error hiding in there somewhere; every marketing effort you make, worrying … [Link]
Thoughts On Translation » Getting Started as a Freelance Translator- starts November 14
I’ll be out of the office for the rest of the week to attend the 57th annual ATA conference. In the meantime, my next online course, Getting Started as a Freelance Translator is open for registration. I’ve been running this class since about 2006, and a participant in the most recent session commented, “I truly enjoyed Corinne’s class for beginners … [Link]
Thoughts On Translation » Very basic SEO for your freelance website
SEO for freelancers: how important is it? Many freelancers wonder how important search engine optimization (SEO) is, when it comes to your business website and how much traffic you can expect it to attract. Very important? Not at all important? Somewhere in between? With the caveat that this is a very basic introduction and I’m far from an SEO expert, … [Link]
Thoughts On Translation » Tips for ATA57 attendees
With the 57th annual ATA conference coming up next week, I’m excited to report that we expect over 1,800 attendees (this will probably be our second-largest conference ever, after the 50th anniversary conference in NYC), the exhibit hall is sold out, and many of our Advanced Skills and Training Day sessions are sold out as well. If you’re attending ATA57, … [Link]
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