Suggestions on How to Become Established as a Freelance Translator

A Word of Warning or: Stumbling Blocks for Translators

The information on these pages only gives a rough introduction to the challenges you are faced with when setting out as a freelance translator working from home. I have scratched the surface. I hope that you find the information provided useful and that it will help you focus your energy where it is needed. Between translation assignments, I am currently working on a more detailed guide which will address the pitfalls I mention below and a few others. If you would be interested in reading that, please let me know and I shall hurry up with it. Meanwhile, I wish you success, but, be warned, it requires a lot of hard work and perseverance to succeed in this profession!

Common stumbling blocks for inexperienced translators include:

• Accepting work without having had sight of it
• Accepting work which is not within your area of specialisation
• Agreeing to unrealistic deadlines
• Quoting too low
• Quoting too high
• Delivering translation work of inferior quality
• Not asking questions when there is an ambiguity in the text
• Sounding insecure on the telephone
• Not informing your customers of problems that may mean missing the deadline
• Not responding to customer queries promptly
• Not knowing which target readership the text in question is intended for
• Not daring to turn down a job for fear that the client won’t return
• Neglecting your health
• Neglecting your family

The list is not exhaustive and - be assured - even experienced translators sometimes trip up.

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©2005 Ms Mechtild Testroet MCIL Dip Trans IoL BDÜ
 
English-German translator of most commercial texts; certification of birth, marriage and school leaver's certificates, divorce papers etc.
 
Tel +44 (0)1769 581823
Contact me