How to be a translator?How to be a translator?Practical tipsPractical tips

By By Monokné Müller AndreaMonokné Müller Andrea

My officeMy office

Let’s balance!Let’s balance!

Who are you?Who are you? How to start?How to start? How to be successful?How to be successful? How is it in practice?How is it in practice?

Stand out from the crowd

Who can be a translator?Who can be a translator?Possible:Possible:

A freelancerA freelancer Manager typeManager type Home-sitting typeHome-sitting type Talented in writingTalented in writing Feel callingFeel calling Excellent computer Excellent computer

knowledgeknowledge Fast typingFast typing Saved money for Saved money for

monthsmonths

Impossible:Impossible:

Without invoiceWithout invoice Employer typeEmployer type Outgoing typeOutgoing type No interest in writingNo interest in writing No callingNo calling Basic computer Basic computer

knowledgeknowledge Slow typingSlow typing Without saved Without saved

moneymoney

How to start?How to start? Look for Look for 100100 translation offices, translation offices,

publishers or direct potentials.publishers or direct potentials. Send letters or e-mails to all of them.Send letters or e-mails to all of them. Do not give up if only 10 answer and Do not give up if only 10 answer and

you get only 2 orders.you get only 2 orders. Do a lot of short test translations to be Do a lot of short test translations to be

accepted.accepted. Look for Look for other 100other 100 offices, later go offices, later go

back to the previous ones with back to the previous ones with references.references.

Price?Price?

Ideal 10-12 Ft/word or 2 Ft/letterIdeal 10-12 Ft/word or 2 Ft/letter In practice it is its half.In practice it is its half. 2000 words pro day is ideal, in practice it 2000 words pro day is ideal, in practice it

is its triple or more. – Work all day, from is its triple or more. – Work all day, from morning till night. morning till night.

Danger of not being paid.Danger of not being paid.

Deadline is above all.Deadline is above all. Never accept a work without having looked Never accept a work without having looked

at it.at it.

Help?Help?

Translator memory programs – a mustTranslator memory programs – a must Trados SDLX (800 €)Trados SDLX (800 €) Transit (800 €) Transit (800 €) Translation Office 3000 Translation Office 3000 A lot of types of dictionaries on PCA lot of types of dictionaries on PC A good monitor, a comfortable armchairA good monitor, a comfortable armchair A work-mate, who can always helpA work-mate, who can always help

How to be successful?How to be successful?

Only with correct, precise workOnly with correct, precise work Deadline must be keptDeadline must be kept Good self-managementGood self-management Huge workload in short time (min. Huge workload in short time (min.

15-20 pages a day)15-20 pages a day)

In practiceIn practice

Advantages:Advantages: You think you are freeYou think you are free Various work themesVarious work themes Good paymentGood payment Creative jobCreative job More and more need More and more need

to translationto translation More possibilities More possibilities

abroadabroad

Disadvantages:Disadvantages: You are said when to You are said when to

workwork You always sit in front You always sit in front

of a PCof a PC Not regular payment, Not regular payment,

30-60 days after 30-60 days after fulfilmentfulfilment

Serve an aim, Serve an aim, according to rulesaccording to rules

You need a certificate You need a certificate for translationfor translation

Scary? Scary? If not, welcome to the company of translators.