Every once in a while, I get a glimpse of some of the ways in which translators (and probably other obsessive "word people" too!) are different from the rest of the population, and thus why we need to stick together. Earlier this week, a French translation listserve that I belong to engaged in a … [Read more...] about Euro vs euros: why translators need each other
Using objective data to set your translation rates
Possibly the most anxiety-provoking aspect of launching or running your translation business is deciding how much to charge. Charge too much and you'll be priced out of the market; charge too little and you'll be working overtime just to make ends meet. The easiest way to remove the anxiety from … [Read more...] about Using objective data to set your translation rates
Dear Client…
Interestingly enough, I've been asked more than once, "How does a freelance translator fire a client?" Although "part ways with" might be a better term than "fire," this phenomenon definitely exists, and is a customer relations issue that translators have to deal with. I think that there are a few … [Read more...] about Dear Client…
This blog's banner photo
I've received several e-mails from people asking about the banner photo on this blog. I purchased it from iStockphoto, and the photographer is Hanoded Photography. Those of you who have traveled in the Himalaya will recognize this as a Buddhist Mani stone, bearing the inscription "Om mani padme … [Read more...] about This blog's banner photo
The new ATA compensation survey: some interesting statistics
The current issue of the American Translators Association's Chronicle includes an article on the results of the most recent ATA compensation survey, which uses data gathered for the year 2006. The survey is interesting enough that I'm thinking of purchasing the full report ($45 for ATA members, $65 … [Read more...] about The new ATA compensation survey: some interesting statistics