There are languages like Spanish (tons of work, lots of translators), and languages like French and German (good amount of work, not a surplus of translators), and then there are languages like Tagalog, Nepali, Bulgarian, Amharic, Icelandic, and so on. What are some pathways to a viable freelance business if you do one of those languages of lesser diffusion?
- Assess the demand. You only need enough work for one person, but in some languages, that may be a struggle. Consider adding additional services like interpreting, editing, voiceover, etc. You may have to be a little more open to offbeat jobs than someone who translates German or Japanese.
- Expect to be asked to translate anything and everything in your language. You don’t have to say yes; never take on anything that’s outside your capabilities. But expect that clients will think of you as “the Haitian Creole translator,” not “the Haitian Creole pharmaceutical translator.”
- If you want to work with agencies, blanket the field. Get a membership to Payment Practices (not an affiliate deal) and sort out the highly-rated agencies; for example those rated 4.0 or higher in the two factors that PP rates. Then start cranking out the applications; aim for three to five per day. Every agency that could potentially use you, anywhere in the world, should have your resume on file.
- If you want to work with direct clients, look for trade ties between your non-English country and the US, the UK, or other English-speaking countries. Most countries have some sort of economic development authority, foreign direct investment authority, or similar entity. Look there for ideas, then contact companies related to those industries that might need you.
- Consider translating into English with a native English-speaking proofreader. Normally I don’t recommend going anywhere near translations into your non-native language. But for small-diffusion languages into English, I think it can work, and sometimes it’s the only option. First, there just aren’t that many native English speakers who translate from Lingala or Khmer. Second, lots of these niche countries are fairly major tourist destinations for English speakers, very few of whom speak a word of the local language. So you might find work translating for, say, resorts in Indonesia or the Philippines or Thailand that want to attract English-speakers.
Readers, especially those of you who translate in these smaller-diffusion languages…any thoughts on this?
Irish linguist says
For a couple of years in the early ’00s, I think I was the only Gaelic translator with Trados! My work has ranged from street signs to tattoos to Government accounts. In Ireland, the perception was that translation was all about novels and poetry. However, we really make bank on European Union and Irish Government translations. The texts are not that interesting, it has to be said. But you have agencies over a barrel and you will have as much work as you can handle.
You simply won’t get a state-accredited Gaelic translator for less than €0.12c/word and we can apply directly for Government translators tenders too. (Individually or a couple of linguists)
Corinne McKay says
Very interesting, thanks!!
Palomnik says
Since I’ve been living in Southeast Asia, I have done the odd job in Thai or Vietnamese into English using a local translator to do the first draft and myself handling the proofread. I speak these languages fairly well, but not nearly well enough to translate on my own. While I agree with Corinne’s assessment about being wary about this kind of arrangement, I feel a lot more confident about it when I’m the one presenting the finished product.
Evelyna Radoslavova says
Another great post with very valid points, Corinne, but there is an important one that you missed: “When you work in a language of limited diffusion, reading extensively in both your source and target languages is even more important, because no one may be there to correct your mistakes. Don’t rely on bilingual dictionaries, because they are often outdated or unreliable.”
A translator’s first responsibility is to the end user. It is extra hard for clients to assess the quality of what they are getting in a language of limited diffusion, and all too often, I see people who have neither the understanding of English (French, German, Spanish, etc.), nor sufficient knowledge of Bulgarian, embark on a career as translators, because it is too tempting to make an extra buck (or what to them appears like a zillion bucks) upon the knowledge of a second language.
So you have people who have no translation training whatsoever and, without thinking too much about it, either use the first word appearing in an online dictionary, or transliterate instead of searching for the proper equivalent. In some cases, that simply makes for a funny translation, such as the subject of a clinical study who is being asked whether she has committed more than one suicide (instead of suicide attempt). In others, such as instructions for the use of medical devices (my area of work), it is easy to imagine a fatal mistake being made by a physician who isn’t able to double-check the instructions against the source text. Even an incomprehensible sentence in an otherwise very interesting article (such as the one I came across this morning, and had to look up the original to understand what the author was trying to say) is an unacceptable outcome.
Translators also have a responsibility towards the local language and culture. All of that inadequate translation and transliteration makes for a disastrous skewing of Bulgarian itself. Lately, I have been feeling like a dinosaur, fighting for the purity of my native language against the very people who live in the country, and that is extremely frustrating.
So, at least in Bulgarian, where work is plentiful, the challenges are of a very different nature than merely finding the clients and getting the job. Building bridges of true communication while preserving the unique cultural and linguistic environment is the true challenge – and the true reward.
Kyle Callahan says
That you touched on using the first word in the dictionary and/or not putting in the effort to find the proper equivalent really hits the nail on the head. I’m far from being a professional translator myself, as I’m still solidifying my Korean skills, but even I will come across things that I figure would be a relatively simple translation but are nevertheless incorrect. The smoking gun? – The person doing the translation looked at the first or first few words in the dictionary.
For a while I had the impression that this kind of lackluster effort was due in part to the United States being decidedly monolingual and less knowledgeable of these linguistic pitfalls, but it seems you’ll find it anywhere!
Tamara says
Not personally affected by this issue, but perhaps in the longterm looking to add a second source language is a good idea…especially if there are other lesser-used languages related to the one you already work with (related linguistically or otherwise).
I also agree that co-translation with a native-speaker into your non-native tongue can be a viable option in some settings. Have had to work that way once in the past due to the circumstances (volunteering with a Peruvian NGO who needed access to some US resources in Spanish). It worked well…and was more fun than many a translation I’ve done since!
Ben Desjardins says
Chambers of commerce sometimes have a focus on helping local businesses export their products. That might be a good place to connect with potential clients.
Maryam says
You provided a lot of great suggestions! This is definitely something very inspiring to a lot of new freelancers in small languages. I translate in a smaller language (Somali > English) and one thing that has worked well for me is going after the demand and looking for clients that have a need for my translation services. Thank you again for writing such an excellent post.
Tapani says
I am not sure it’s better to crank out 5 applications per day if they are generic dear Sir/Madam letters. I think it’s better to learn about your target agency and make a tailored effort to contact them as a potential valuable asset. And use their application system if they have one.
Jennie says
Thank you so much for your great tips suggestions. Can I share this post on my blog http://vietnamese-translator.com/ with the original link back. Thanks.
Corinne McKay says
Sure, thank you!