12 Essential Tips for Hiring Qualified Translators and Crafting an Effective Translation Contract

translation_articles_icon

ProZ.com Translation Article Knowledgebase

Articles about translation and interpreting
Article Categories
Search Articles


Advanced Search
About the Articles Knowledgebase
ProZ.com has created this section with the goals of:

Further enabling knowledge sharing among professionals
Providing resources for the education of clients and translators
Offering an additional channel for promotion of ProZ.com members (as authors)

We invite your participation and feedback concerning this new resource.

More info and discussion >

Article Options
Your Favorite Articles
You Recently Viewed...
Recommended Articles
  1. ProZ.com overview and action plan (#1 of 8): Sourcing (ie. jobs / directory)
  2. Réalité de la traduction automatique en 2014
  3. Getting the most out of ProZ.com: A guide for translators and interpreters
  4. Does Juliet's Rose, by Any Other Name, Smell as Sweet?
  5. The difference between editing and proofreading
No recommended articles found.

 »  Articles Overview  »  Art of Translation and Interpreting  »  Translation Techniques  »  12 Essential Tips for Hiring Qualified Translators and Crafting an Effective Translation Contract

12 Essential Tips for Hiring Qualified Translators and Crafting an Effective Translation Contract

By sylaba | Published  02/1/2023 | Translation Techniques | Recommendation:RateSecARateSecARateSecARateSecARateSecI
Contact the author
Quicklink: http://jpn.proz.com/doc/4885
Author:
sylaba
オーストラリア
英語 translator
 
View all articles by sylaba

See this author's ProZ.com profile
1. Make a glossary list first.
Although translators have a lot on their plates, data organisation can make the job simpler. Whether it's simple for you or other translators and professionals looking at glossaries as part of their jobs, organising material with labels can make everything simpler when you need it later.

2. Study a foreign language.
Gaining an instant mastery of the most significant and potent instruments in this world is like learning a second language. Reading and writing in your target language will open up understanding that may have before gone unnoticed due to a lack of exposure or practice. When we practise something over an extended period (like reading), our skills improve much more quickly than if someone only completed some light homework assignments once a week!

3. Recognize the Various Translations
Comparing various translations is one of today's most popular translation exercises. This can be done with any non-fiction work, even a novel, and will help you refine your techniques by allowing you to see how varied word choices allow authors to communicate the same sentiments in different ways!

4. Make an effort to gain employment.
Practically speaking, it would be very helpful to be able to work as soon as possible. It would be ideal if you had some kind of experience by now for your CV and long-term personal development! Try obtaining part-time jobs while still in college. They may even provide them through their organisation's student employment services program. If there aren't any options for free time volunteering or internships with NGOs, etc. (sometimes called "careers centre").

5. But refuse to accept just any job.
Everyone experiences some level of discomfort when starting something new, but you need to be smart enough to determine what will benefit you in the long run. The worst thing that can happen is to speed up the process by accepting employment that is inappropriate for your skills and abilities; doing so may impede personal development or even cause one to give up on their line of work! Don't settle; take time throughout your hectic days (or nights) to consider how you want your life to look before making any big decisions about your professional choice. Knowing which position at work best suits oneself helps reduce one's search.

6. Recognize and value the culture.
Language is only one aspect of culture; another is the context in which words are used. Understanding both cultural perspectives on what such phrases imply while translating from one culture to another can be challenging, especially if the languages are different. This is because you don't want to interfere with either side's way of life or the history associated with the terms. To achieve a balance between our two interested parties and ensure that everyone is happy with their conversation, understanding this will be helpful.

7. Work arduously.
The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that you must put in a lot of effort. This is not going to happen by accident, so make the most of every possibility and work as hard as you can right away, or it might never happen again!

8. Make the Right Inquiries
You need to know more than just what is said out loud or in a text to ask the proper questions. With an open mind, you can learn by reading online articles and viewing videos on issues relating to your job experience before you ask any questions of your own or when you respond to questions from others who may have done extensive research into these topics beforehand.

9. Take breaks frequently.
To save your sanity when studying a language, take frequent breaks and read more challenging material. Studies have demonstrated that people are less able to retain new information when they are sleep deprived, including both basic facts and more complicated ideas like vocabulary growth. Take periodic breaks if necessary. Lack of sleep not only impairs your ability to learn new things but also makes you fatigued, which makes it harder than ever to concentrate on your studies.

10. Constantly read
Reading is crucial at all times! It's like having a best friend who will always support you. Make time for reading foreign languages now, whether at home or on the go, to increase your vocabulary and widen your understanding of translation in various ways (because reading has never been more convenient).
11. Work on your language skills.
It's crucial to master one language before attempting to learn another. If you first make sure that your only native tongue is not damaged or imperfect by practising with fluency until there are no faults left unmade, learning a second language will be much simpler!

12. Managing Recommendations and Criticism
For any translator, feedback and criticism may be hard pills to swallow, but it's more challenging when you're first starting. You might wish to accept constructive criticism if senior-level individuals tell you that your translation is inaccurate or full of flaws, despite how certain they were of its accuracy before. When we continue to improve ourselves in any manner possible, accepting these criticisms as vital milestones on our development journey will help make all those doubters look wise in retrospect.

These top 12 suggestions will help you start on the right foot when learning the art of translation, which might take years to master. Your translations will be better the more you understand how languages work and what translation entails. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you want to know more or if you need help translating something yourself.


Copyright © ProZ.com, 1999-2024. All rights reserved.
Comments on this article

Knowledgebase Contributions Related to this Article
  • No contributions found.
     
Want to contribute to the article knowledgebase? Join ProZ.com.


Articles are copyright © ProZ.com, 1999-2024, except where otherwise indicated. All rights reserved.
Content may not be republished without the consent of ProZ.com.