New translator looking for career advice. Tagapagpost sa thread: Ingrid Diniz
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Hello, I am writing this because I would like to have a piece of advice and also to connect with all of you, if that is possible.
Before anything else, let me introduce myself.
My name is Ingrid and I'm from Brazil. I speak Portuguese, English and I understand a little bit of Spanish too.
I am new to the translation field. I hold a bachelor's degree in Pedagogy and another in Languages. I recently enrolled in a postgraduation course in translation, in order to b... See more Hello, I am writing this because I would like to have a piece of advice and also to connect with all of you, if that is possible.
Before anything else, let me introduce myself.
My name is Ingrid and I'm from Brazil. I speak Portuguese, English and I understand a little bit of Spanish too.
I am new to the translation field. I hold a bachelor's degree in Pedagogy and another in Languages. I recently enrolled in a postgraduation course in translation, in order to become a professional translator.
What would you recommend to me? Where should I start? How did you get your first translation job here and how many days were necessary to get it? Was it on the first try or not?
When you were doing your fisrt translation, how long did it take to get it done?
Feel free to share your experience with me or add any information that may be worth sharing to help me.
I would love to see how it has started for each of you.
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| | | | Michael Newton 
Estados Unidos
Local time: 17:03
Japanese papuntang Ingles
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Find another career. If you choose translation, you have nothing but frustration (and penury) in front of you.
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Ingrid Diniz wrote:
What would you recommend to me? Where should I start? How did you get your first translation job here and how many days were necessary to get it? Was it on the first try or not?
When you were doing your fisrt translation, how long did it take to get it done?
All of this is irrelevant in light of what the field of translation has become. The best advice I can give to aspiring translators is don’t do it. Translation was great when I started, that is no longer the case. Sorry. Thank AI.
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I advise you to run from it while you can...
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Daryo
Local time: 22:03
Serbian papuntang Ingles
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| Do you really want to board a sinking ship | Jul 24 |
where half of the crew is busy unplugging the holes in the hull?
If you chose translating because you really like it, do it as a hobby - translate what you like when you like and if you make any money out of it consider it as a bonus.
But for the 'day job' better look for something else. There still are professions where real people are badly needed and where being bilingual is, if not a requirement, certainly a huge advantage. I don't know what's exactly the sit... See more where half of the crew is busy unplugging the holes in the hull?
If you chose translating because you really like it, do it as a hobby - translate what you like when you like and if you make any money out of it consider it as a bonus.
But for the 'day job' better look for something else. There still are professions where real people are badly needed and where being bilingual is, if not a requirement, certainly a huge advantage. I don't know what's exactly the situation in Brazil, but if you start looking with an open mind you'll find them.
As Michele Fauble said, decades ago translating was a great job - especially when you're lucky to be in high demand in your 'local market'. Hardly likely to happen NOW with your language pair - unless you are extremely lucky to find some very specialised niche market. The operative word being 'extremely lucky' ...
Only being realistic. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Li-Hsiang Hsu
Pransya
Local time: 23:03
French papuntang Tsino
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| Treat languages as a passion, not a profession. | Jul 25 |
That's it.
| | | | Gregor Trebec
Slovenia
Local time: 23:03
Ingles papuntang Slovenian
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I am not an expert but i came to think many here want to translate via the web, the internet. But the web cannot bring you steady income. Never did. At least where i come from. The buiseness still goes in the real world therefore look for clients 'outside' the computer.
| | | | expressisverbis
Portugal
Local time: 22:03
Ingles papuntang Portuguese
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Ingrid Diniz wrote:
I am new to the translation field. I hold a bachelor's degree in Pedagogy and another in Languages. I recently enrolled in a postgraduation course in translation, in order to become a professional translator.
I don't want to discourage you, but I also don't want to give you unrealistic expectations.
The translation industry has changed dramatically in recent years. Many experienced translators with 15, 20 or even 30 years of experience are facing reduced workloads, lower rates and increasing competition from AI mainly. Building a freelance translation career today is considerably more challenging than it was a decade ago.
Since you already have a degree in Pedagogy, I would encourage you not to overlook this qualification. It may offer you greater stability and opportunities, and your translation training can still be valuable in the classroom. Translation is an excellent teaching tool and can help students develop vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, writing skills, cultural awareness and critical thinking.
I would also add one point about training. A postgraduate course in translation is undoubtedly worthwhile, but it is a specialisation, not a substitute for years of professional practice.
Likewise, having a degree in translation does not automatically make someone a good translator.
Translation is much more than knowing languages or mastering CAT tools. It requires excellent writing skills in your native language, strong research skills, sound judgement, subject-matter knowledge, cultural awareness, curiosity, consistency, and the ability to solve problems and make informed decisions. Those are skills that develop gradually through experience.
I wish you every success.
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