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 General Discussion
(Show all) 
Working as a Freelancer 
Freelancer starting... How ...
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David Tucker |
Last Activity November 18, 2008 4:07 PM 27 replies, 2670 viewings |
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| Posted: April 28, 2008 3:37 AM | Post #144546—in reply to #144408 | |
Chani D Extreme Veteran   Mother tongues: French, German Posts: 332 Joined: July 4, 2006 Location: Spain |
Hola Rafa, ¡Bienvenido en TC! I agree with Jonathan who says that low rates will of course attract clients, but the wrong ones. So you will work for peanuts or for nothing (¡morosos!), will not be able to survive and will ruin your reputation. Dominique already gave you wonderful ideas where to ask if you want to look for a salaried job. If I were in your shoes... I would look for a full or part-time job in the field I would like to specialized in, work there at least 5 years and begin to build up my freelance career progressively. It is the way most of us began at a time where Internet not exist... And it is still for me the best way to begin now as well. Because generally clients require a minimum of experience, which is normal (if I have to look for a dentist, you would also prefer someone who is 45 than someone who is 25, right?). Of course, Internet gives you the possibility to begin at once, working for 0,02 € per word. But then? How do you want to live on that after paying your income taxes, social security and phone bills? Even if you have parents who support you, one day you will perhaps want to live on your own and until then, your reputation will be ruined. If I were in your shoes, I would then prefer to sell ice creams/hamburgers/pipas on the beach than working for 0,02 € or even 0,08 €. The other solution is to fight. Fight to find your way in the translation's world. Find better paying clients. They exist, also in Spain. Spanish agencies will most of the time offer you ridiculous rates (0,05 or 0,06 €) and will tell you "that's the market". Don't believe them! That is the bottom market. There are different segments. Try to find the clients who look for quality (they do not look for translators in the web), send them a mail or better perhaps a paper letter (a mail will probably land in the spam without being read), explaying why you think they may need your services. (But before, it would make sense to specialize). Of course, I would never lie. One day, people always discover the truth. You cannot pretend to have experience I you don't, as people will notice it or you won't be able to translate their texts as those are too specialized (a horrible situation if you already have accepted a job). So I would advice you to work, work and work to specialize in a field you like. ¡Suerte! Chani [Edited by Chani D on April 28, 2008 3:40 AM] | |
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| Posted: April 28, 2008 4:23 AM | Post #144550—in reply to #144028 | |
Jonathan Downie Extreme Veteran  Mother tongue: English Posts: 504 Joined: March 9, 2008 Location: United Kingdom | Oi Chani, 0,08€ per word isn't that bad. It's practically my minimum rate! Back on topic... A few translators (myself included, by the grace of God) managed to plunge straight in with excellent rates and good jobs. But Chani is right, normally it helps to have another job in a related field. The only problem with that is the most other jobs expect you to pledge your life, works, blood, sweat, tears and first-born child just to them. I actually was rejected from a job once as I "had too many outside interests." So, you might want to be careful what you say in your interview. Again, don't lie but be careful how you are honest. Spanish seems to be a tough market at the moment. Perhaps there are in-house translation jobs near you. That would definitely help. | |
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| Posted: April 29, 2008 11:29 AM | Post #144722—in reply to #144028 | |
| celia elizabelar Member Mother tongue: Spanish Posts: 12 Joined: April 24, 2008 Location: United States | Hello Jonathan Would you help me? When you translate a birth certificate, what format do you use to present the translation done? word? all in one page? Does Trados have any particular format to present this to a client? do you understand my question?
Thanks, Celia
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| Posted: April 29, 2008 11:48 AM | Post #144724—in reply to #144028 | |
| Jonathan Downie Extreme Veteran Mother tongue: English Posts: 504 Joined: March 9, 2008 Location: United Kingdom | Sorry Celia, I have never translated a birth certificate. Perhaps someone else will be able to answer that. | |
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| Posted: April 30, 2008 3:55 AM | Post #144786—in reply to #144722 | |
| Chani D Extreme Veteran Mother tongues: French, German Posts: 332 Joined: July 4, 2006 Location: Spain |
Hello Celia, I do not work with Trados, but when I have to translate a birth certificate or any other kind of official document, I try to keep as exactly as possible the original formate as it is on the original paper. If it has one page, I use caracters so that the translation also fits on one page. I would use Word or Open Office. | |
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| Posted: April 30, 2008 4:21 AM | Post #144789—in reply to #144786 | |
| Jonathan Ellis TC Master  Extreme Veteran Mother tongue: English Posts: 581 Joined: June 27, 2006 Location: Netherlands |
Hi Celia, Translating any official document means following a number of protocols. For example, if the document is on headed paper, you should insert the word [logo] or [trademark] between brackets at the place it occurs. Also, you should do the same with any official signatures - [signature - J. Smith]. But this is a fairly specialised area, and you should try to obtain examples of birth certificates that have already been translated into Spanish, so that you are fully aware of the various conventions. BTW - I do not understand your question about Trados. Trados will adhere (if you are lucky!) to the lay-out of the source document. I am not aware of Trados having any special templates for translating official documents. Jonathan [Edited by Jonathan Ellis on April 30, 2008 4:26 AM] | |
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| Posted: May 1, 2008 5:05 PM | Post #144969—in reply to #144786 | |
Jessica Cade Member Mother tongues: French, English Posts: 10 Joined: March 7, 2008 Location: United States | Hello, I've translated plenty of birth. marriage cert, divorce decrees. I try to have the translation on one page if possible. I use open office. you dont really need trados or things like that. I usually do it the way the original looks like (bold, italic etc...) the notarize and certify it. | |
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