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getting started with no qualifications
Thread poster: aga_york
nordiste
nordiste  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 08:23
English to French
+ ...
Well Liz... Sep 18, 2014

liz askew wrote:

You may be the exception to the rule.

Potential clients ALWAYS ask for a copy of my qualifications, i.e. Degree

Liz


You may be the exception too.

NO clients, agency or direct, in France or abroad, has ever ask a copy of my qualifications in translation or in my specialist field.


 
Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 08:23
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Start by reading some how-to books Sep 18, 2014

aga_york wrote:
I was wondering if anyone here could give me some information on how to become a translator.


Start by reading this book (GBP 25.00). Then read this book (GBP 12.00) (make sure you get the 2nd edition (the one with 208 pages)). This second book is not free, so don't download it for free.

And after that, read one or two books listed here.

Only then decide if you want to study further, or start translating, or what.


 
Neil Coffey
Neil Coffey  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:23
French to English
+ ...
Conventional wisdom and reality... Sep 18, 2014

aga_york wrote:
I was wondering if anyone here could give me some information on how to become a translator/interpreter. Im from Poland but have lived and worked in UK for 8 years now. Im interested in doing translating/interpreting for living. I have no degree or experience. I graduated high school in my country in 2006 and passed exit exams, which I believe is equivalent to enlish A-levels. So my question now is what do I do to get started, what degree exactly do I need to do this job. I would be grateful for any information. Thank you.


So as you can imagine, the degree that you need to do is: the degree that will allow you to persuade enough clients to give you work that you are able to do to their satisfaction. In many cases, in practice, that means either (a) a degree in the source language, possibly accompanied by some relevant work experience, or (b) a degree in your area of specialisation followed by relevant experience relating to the language in question. So, say, if you were an English native doing French>English IT translations, then either a degree in French and some experience working for an IT firm, or a degree in IT plus extensive experience living/working in France would probably suffice.

But... in your case, you're in a rather specific position: (a) the UK has seen a lot of Polish immigration recently, so there are probably an above-average number of companies that need to bridge the Polish-English gap; (b) Polish isn't a common language for native English speakers to study; © on paper, you have extensive experience in the UK. Potentially, you can use this situation to your advantage.

So, I think the answer may depend on you specific experience in the UK and how you can swing things with potential clients. Things that clients will be skeptical/worried about:

- you've been in the UK for 8 years, but in that time, what has been your exposure to "educated" English or the type of English relevant to their business? To the client, "Living in the UK" could mean either that you have spent a significant amount of time socialising with educated speakers, have been exposed to high-quality English-sepaking media, and have reached degree level in 2 years. Or... that you have spent 8 years living in Polish-speaking ghettos and speak the English of a 10-year-old. That's the politically-incorrect reality as many clients see things. Can you convince potential clients that it's the former situation without a degree?
- similarly, being a "native Polish speaker" isn't necessarily much of a guarantee to the client. They want to know that you're an *educated* native Polish speaker in touch with the latest educated, adult Polish language as used in particular professions. Can you convince potential clients that it's the former situation without a degree?

One thing I would do: go round some local businesses that employ Polish people/have a need for Polish-English translation and ask them "what are the things that would make you hesitant about contracting work to me?"


 
Woodstock (X)
Woodstock (X)  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 08:23
German to English
+ ...
This thread illustrates exactly Sep 19, 2014

why I no longer answer these types of questions with any advice other than recommending research and an invitation to come back with more specific questions later. More often than not, the people supposedly interested in a translation career never come back to say thanks or acknowledge the responses in any way. Is it too much information at once that discourages them or scares them off? Do conflicting opinions on the best way to get a qualification confuse them? Is there some other reason they ... See more
why I no longer answer these types of questions with any advice other than recommending research and an invitation to come back with more specific questions later. More often than not, the people supposedly interested in a translation career never come back to say thanks or acknowledge the responses in any way. Is it too much information at once that discourages them or scares them off? Do conflicting opinions on the best way to get a qualification confuse them? Is there some other reason they don't come back? Or is it because they were not really serious about it in the first place? Whatever the reason, I find it annoying and discourteous, but also feel a twinge of regret when they disappear without a trace, and without at least thanking the contributors for their time and thoughtful answers. This particular thread turned into an interesting discussion for those already established in the profession, but was it perhaps a bit overwhelming for someone just testing the waters? We'll probably never know...

[Edited at 2014-09-19 18:52 GMT]
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Helena Chavarria
Helena Chavarria  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 08:23
Member (2011)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Potential clients usually ask for a copy of my qualifications Sep 19, 2014

nordiste wrote:

liz askew wrote:

You may be the exception to the rule.

Potential clients ALWAYS ask for a copy of my qualifications, i.e. Degree

Liz


You may be the exception too.

NO clients, agency or direct, in France or abroad, has ever ask a copy of my qualifications in translation or in my specialist field.



Agencies always ask me to send them a copy of my qualfications. Direct clients have never asked to see them.


 
liz askew
liz askew  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:23
Member (2007)
French to English
+ ...
nitpicking Sep 21, 2014

Best to avoid it!
We all contribute based on our own experiences; if this descends into tit for tat, or defensive reactions, then we are all wasting our time in trying to help others.
We should direct our replies to the asker, not take up other issues that arise from the contributions! Just a time-waster.
In my very, very humble opinion of course.
Cheers.
Liz


 
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