The Basics of Back Translation

In a previous post, I discussed the various translation services that a company might purchase. In that post, I mentioned back translation, which is the process of translating a target text back into the source language in order to verify that it was translated correctly. In this post, I would like to offer a bit …

Taking the Plunge – Tips to Consider Before Going into Work for Yourself

Deciding to venture out on your own is scary, exhilarating, stressful, and exciting. Being your own boss can be an incredibly humbling yet rewarding experience. Whether you want to be a freelance translator or something else entirely, proper preparation can make the switch a bit less daunting and mean the difference between success and failure. …

To Edit or to Retranslate?

Translation quality is serious business. Under the best circumstances, a poor translation will give you a laugh. Under the worst, it will have serious consequences on your company, resulting in a damaged reputation, loss of customers, or concerned investors. This is why editing is so critical for any text that will be used for anything …

On traduit à Québec 2017: Interview with Conference Organizer Grant Hamilton

In a previous post, I wrote about how professional translators hone their skills. It is a rare and precious opportunity to be about to do everything in that post in a single day, much less over several days. For French and English translators, the On traduit à/Translate In conferences present such an opportunity. Grant Hamilton, …

Proz, Translators Café, and Other Freelance Translation Sites: Are They Worth It?

Many freelance translators, particularly when they are just starting out, opt to create accounts on sites like Proz, Translators Café, and others. When I first started freelancing, I also opened Proz and Translators Café accounts. While some translators report success using these platforms, I have not once received a legitimate job offer through either of …

Tax Matters for Freelance Translators

Happy Tax Day, fellow US freelancers! Despite being a day that most people do not look forward to, Tax Day is one that none of us can ignore. Paying taxes can be stressful, time consuming, and generally not that fun (who enjoys parting with their hard-earned money?). What’s more, freelancers have special considerations that they …

Who to Follow on Twitter for French-English Translators

Who would have thought that Twitter would become a great tool for improving your language skills? No matter your language pairs, there are dozens of accounts you can follow to help strengthen your vocabulary, grammar, and translation abilities. If you translate to/from English or French and aren’t following these accounts, you’re missing out! Here are …

The Benefits of Mentoring

This week, I was informed that I have been selected as one of 30 mentees for the 2017-2018 class of the American Translators Association mentoring program. I am delighted to have been chosen for this opportunity and look forward to the chance to learn from an industry veteran. The ATA Mentoring Program has been around for …

Interview with Corinne McKay on ATA58

Last year, I attended my first ATA conference in San Francisco. I don’t know why I waited so long to go. It was an amazing experience getting to meet and learn from some of the best and brightest in the industry. If you’re like me, you are eagerly awaiting registration time for ATA58 in Washington DC. …

Honing Your Translation Skills

  Translators do not wake up one day capable of translating any and every text. Like any other skill, translation requires motivation, cultivation, and time to perfect. What’s more, translation relies heavily on tacit knowledge, or knowledge that cannot simply be transferred to someone else by verbalizing it or writing it down. If translation simply …