translation
as vocation
a primer for newbies

translate render text
into another
language
interpret render speech
into another
language

freelance uncommitted
and
independent
see also:
euphemism for
unemployed

why would i want to be
a freelance translator?
three reasons:

the good the bad the ugly

the good : freedom
time TiVo your life, and
toss your alarm clock.
space around the block, and
around the world.
means work as much, and
as little, as you want.

free
... but poor

busy
... but rich

or anywhere in
between...
¥
time

the good: challenge

1) translation is...
not an art ,
not a science ,
but a craft .

2) in a meritocracy,
hard work pays . but
,
smart work pays better.

3) what you give...
not just quantity,
but quality too.
... is what you get.
... is what you get.

the bad: isolation
buddies you are the only
employee.
support you are hr, accounting,
and sanitation.
mentors you are your
own boss.

the bad : uncertainty
what if work dries up?
what if my clients don’t pay?
what if i get sick?

the ugly

so how can i
become a
freelance
translator?
Q:

A:
get skills
clients
paid, yo

getting skills
source target
language language
domain knowledge

getting skills: source language
study apply
kcjs print
iuc online
miis music
simul movies
self-study podcasts

getting skills: target language
high-level
consistency
readability
spelling
naturalness
punctuation
grammar
low-level

general
manga/anime
software
DEMAND
literature biotech
SUPPLY
esoterica patents
getting skills: domain knowledge

getting clients: a catch-22
clients
experience

getting clients: working in-house
enjoy reliable feedback, a
safe environment, a steady
(low) paycheck, and
convenient networking.
easy to stagnate, so graduate
to agencies within a year.

getting clients: self-promotion
get a domain for email and a
one-page website.
enter translation contests.
attend conferences, and be
useful on mailing lists.

getting clients: opportunity
shotgun resumes and take
trials as necessary.
be available at peak times,
such as before the holidays.
hone your poker face, you
WILL need to bluff.

fast, cheap, or good: pick two
charge by source, not target
always send an invoice
refuse payment for missed
deadlines
getting paid

so i’m a
freelance
translator,
now what?
Q:

A (short-term):
let your work speak for itself
seek new clients, raising rates
for each
balance excess load with
colleagues
delegate time sucks

A (long-term):
go deep: specialize in your
field, and go direct to clients
go wide: start a translation
agency and be a manager
go fish: try something else

thank you
henry smith and fusako shore
the kcjs staff and sensei
the kind folks on the jat mailing list
my clients for making it all possible