Candid talk from an ordinary freelance translator.

Dec 17, 2014

Automatic Translation Vs Manual Translation


Translation can be defined as an act of interpretation of the meaning of a content and consequent re-production of equivalent content. The content or the text that is required to be translated is called "Source Text" and the language in which the source text is to be translated is known as "Target Text". In simple language, translation is also described as a communication written in second language having the identical meaning as written in a first language.
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Dec 4, 2014

Unpaid Test


The Code of Professional Conduct and Business Practices" of the American Translators Association stipulates: "As an employer or contractor of translators and/or interpreters, ... I will not require translators or interpreters to do unpaid work for the prospect of a paid assignment." (www.atanet.org, 2002)

I' ve done many unpaid tests in the past for various agencies and direct clients precisely because I was fairly new and desperate to get my dream career going. Most times, they yielded poor results, which in my view, is because test translation can be abused, and since everything is internet base, the abuser can easily disappear into thin air without ever admit their wrong doing. I have quite a few of my translation pieces stolen through this medium.

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Dec 2, 2014

Translator and Moral Question

Are there any translation that shouldn't been done?

Some years back, I was offered an on-going translation project concerning religious and lifestyle. I took a quick look at the articles  and realized it had to go with supporting  men to have many wives, and many other topics that raise eye brows.

I had a little thought about whether there are clients or specific information I wouldn't want to work with. If I should go ahead
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Nov 30, 2014

Why I Love Working Early


Early morning is the most productive time for me. As a mother of two, my life at the earliest time of day I could manage is the most peaceful. I like a little over 2 hours in the morning to myself with my coffee. When everyone else is still in bed, my head works smoothly.

What I do in the morning;

Mess is stress: I don't usually start work right away. In fact, all I do is switch on my PC and let it run its course while I make a one round walk around the house and pick up used drinking glass from coffee table, kids toy from the floor and do
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New Translator and Low Rates


Recently, a translators asked me if he should lower his rates being that he is new to the industry and long to get into the workforce for both financial reason and to gain experience as a translator. The advice I gave him, without any intentions to invade in his decision making aspect was; "No, I really don't think you should.". The reasons? Let me explain.

When I first kick started as a translator, I dealt mostly with direct clients.
My method of getting myself into translation business, was to take all jobs without much of any terms to work by from my side. The result? Not at all good. I was once got hired by a client through Elance. I was pretty new
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