How to get started as a translator

Dan Lucas wrote:
I didn't claim that you said that. I was expanding on, your point on the necessity for "profound written skills in your target language". On this matter I think we agree.

Vladimir Pochinov wrote:

To build a thriving freelance translation business, you need to spend heaps of time on setting it up efficiently, which includes computer(s) and peripherals, accounting and taxes, communication channels, data backups and protection, data storage, business development and client relationship, project management, translation tools, you name it. From the business perspective, your business skills and related expertise are at least as critical as your linguistic aptitude for a successful freelance career.

Lieven Malaise wrote:



Basically you are right, but you make it sound like a massive job, while there's nothting easier and less time-consuming than setting up and maintaining a freelance translation business. You need a minimum of money compared to other professions and buying and installing software isn't complicated or time-consuming at all, nor is data backup. The most complicated part is probably accounting and taxes, but I gladly pay an accountant to do that dirty work for me. Apart from a computer, an internet connection and software it's probably the best investment you can make as a freelancer, and it's also very good for your mental health.

expressisverbis wrote:

If I were you, I would not translate into languages other than your native language.
I have to be honest, answering questions into other language pairs and claiming that you are able to translate into those languages is very bold for someone who is only 17 years old.
There are members here, much older than you, with a lot of experience and who have lived many years in other countries in whose profiles they only claim to translate into their native language.
Because of that, they have all my respect, admiration and my trust.
Besides, you might suffer consequences because of that, for example, on Kudoz questions you may get "disagrees" from natives who obviously know their languages inside and out. This can stain your image on the site.
If I were you, I wouldn't be too greedy. ("Não ir com muita sede ao pote" - I don't know if you have this saying in your native language).
You can take risks if you start this way.
First, I would dedicate myself to studying a language (higher education, living/working abroad, gaining more experience) instead of starting this way. Believe me, you aren't on the right track.
I also read your translation sample in Portuguese, and although I am not a native Brazilian Portuguese speaker, I could see some errors.
Please don't take me wrong for my words, I'm just telling you that you shouldn't start this way.
Being humble and know how to set our own limits it's also part of being a successful translator.
In the meantime, I wish you and everyone here Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Lucas Pereira wrote:

And about the mistake on my sample to portuguese, could you please point it out ? I swear that i don't see anything wrong.

Lucas Pereira wrote:

... I do agree that i don't have what it takes to translate something complex to french, but i would only apply to translate letters, general, or texts regarding tech/computers.

expressisverbis wrote:

I should stress again that I'm not a Brazilian Portuguese native, and I don't proofread or revise into PT-BR, but I have found your translation sample a bit too literal. For example:

"Buracos negros são astros muito elusivos, e algumas vezes eles gostam de brincar de esconde esconde conosco. Raios de luz não podem escapar de seu horizonte de eventos, mas o espaço ao redor deles pode ser extremamente brilhante — se materiais o suficiente entrarem na sua órbita."

This last part should be improved in my opinion.

"Em seu estudo publicado no jornal de Astrophysical Journal Lettres, os astrônomos sugeriram um novo método para verificar a existência do buraco negro."

Also, "The Astrophysical Journal Letters" is not a "jornal", it's a "publicação/revista científica".

[Edited at 2022-12-25 18:24 GMT]

Vladimir Pochinov wrote:

Lucas, a friendly warning from a tech-savvy translator with a 35-year track record in the translation industry (and 22 years in the international translation market). I think the market for general texts is on its last leg. Modern neural MT engines can handle this type of material quite well. I wouldn't consider hiring a professional to translate my letter to a friend into French or Portuguese. I would use DeepL, Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, ModernMT, or a similar neural engine.

Focusing on IT/computers might be a good idea, especially software localization, mobile app localization, video game localization, which are all on the rise now. Publishers (and users) wouldn't like awkward phrases or hilarious errors in their UI strings.

Legal, financial, and pharmaceutical seem to be rather future-proof for now. From my 5-year employment with a major international law firm, I wouldn't trust an NMT engine with translation of the contractual documents in an M&A deal worth $100 million of $5 billion. The same is true for high-profile litigations and international arbitration proceedings.

[Edited at 2022-12-25 18:13 GMT]

Lucas Pereira wrote:


Obrigado, esse último realmente é um erro, tinha pesquisado olhado sobre e tinha chegado a conclusão de "jornal científico" mas tinha achado meio estranho.
Agora quanto ao outro parágrafo, eu normalmente adaptaria um pouco para soar melhor, porém algumas pessoas disseram para não adaptar, tornar-se fiel ao texto. Particularmente eu acho melhor "Os raios de luz não são capazes de escapar de seu horizonte de eventos" do que "Raios de luz não podem escapar de seu horizonte de eventos". Mas gostaria de alguma resposta sua nisso, você fica 100% fiel ao que está escrito, ou as vezes dá alguma adaptada como nesse caso para soar mais natural?

[Editada em 2022-12-26 04:53 GMT]