Training for Translators

Classes for translators and interpreters

Podcasts


Corinne McKay

Speaking of Translation: Client-side conferences as a marketing tool

In this episode, Eve and Corinne interview French to English translator Michèle Hansen about her experiences using client-side conferences as a marketing tool. A self-professed “introvert who hates selling,” Michèle has increased her freelance income by more than $40,000 over the past two years through this strategy.

Links mentioned in this episode:
-Michèle’s website Global Health Language Services
-To be alerted when registration for Eve’s “supercharge your second language skills” challenge group opens, join the Training for Translators mailing list
-Upcoming Training for Translators online courses

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Client-side conferences as a marketing tool


Corinne McKay

Speaking of Translation: Contracts and service agreements for translators

In this episode of Speaking of Translation, Eve and Corinne discuss contracts and service agreements for freelance translators. Thanks to listener Erin Riddle for suggesting this show topic! If you have a topic you’d like us to discuss, drop us an e-mail at speakingoftranslation@gmail.com. We discuss:

  • When do you need a full written contract for a translation? When is an e-mail OK?
  • How do you specify the terms of use for a translation?
  • What about subcontracting agreements?
  • What terms should be included in a contract?
  • Should you sign indemnification clauses?

Links mentioned in this episode:

-ATA’s translation services agreement guide and model contract
-ATA’s interpreting services agreement guide and model contract
-The PEN model contract for book translations

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Contracts and service agreements for translators


Corinne McKay

New podcast: preparing for the state court interpreter certification exam

In this episode of Speaking of Translation, Eve interviews Corinne about her recent milestone–passing the Colorado court interpreter certification exam for French. Eve and Corinne discuss how Corinne prepared for the exam, what resources she used, what the exam consists of, and how she plans to use this credential.

Links mentioned in this episode:
-Athena Matilsky, interpreter and trainer for French and Spanish
-Eve’s book Maintaining Your Second Language, with tips on how to improve your language skills in general
-ACEBO, publishers of The Interpreter’s Edge home study course
-The National Center for State Courts’ practice exam kits (available in Spanish or English-only)
-Judy Jenner’s blog post on passing the Federal court interpreter certification exam
–ORCIT, the European Commission-funded self-study course on basic conference interpreting techniques
–Speechpool, a repository of speeches for interpreting practice
-The Colorado Judicial Branch’s information on how to become a court interpreter in Colorado

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Preparing for the state court interpreter certification exam


Corinne McKay

New podcast: Translating books, with Kate Deimling and Mercedes Guhl

In this episode of Speaking of Translation, Eve and Corinne interview English to Spanish translator Mercedes Guhl and French to English translator Kate Deimling about translating books: a topic our listeners often ask about. Kate and Mercedes give us their thoughts on:

  • Where to start if you would like to translate books
  • What skills a book translator needs
  • Whether book fairs and other in-person events are valuable for book translators
  • The pluses and minuses of self-publishing your translations of public domain books
  • How to approach the financial aspects of book translation
  • Resources and tips for aspiring book translators

Links mentioned in this episode:
–Kate’s website
-Mercedes’ LinkedIn page (in Spanish)
–Mercedes’ blog, about to be reactivated
-Kate’s Twitter feed
-Susan Bernofsky’s blog Translationista
–PEN America’s Heim grants, open to emerging translators
-The American Translators Association’s Literary Division webpage
–The archive of Source, the ATA Literary Division journal
-The American Literary Translators Association’s resources page
–Publicar con calidad editorial, a primer on the publishing process, in Spanish
–The PEN list of publishers of works in translation

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Translating books: with Kate Deimling and Mercedes Guhl


Corinne McKay

New podcast: Staying healthy when you work at a desk all day

In this episode of Speaking of Translation, Eve and Corinne interview German<>English translator and certified yoga and Pilates instructor Eva Stabenow. After developing repetitive strain issues from her translation and interpreting work, Eva found relief in Pilates, which led her to pursue a 500-hour certification as a Pilates instructor specializing in prehab and rehab. She now runs Sunroom Pilates, a private studio in the Nashville, Tennessee area, in addition to working as a translator and interpreter (with a lot less pain!).

If you’ve attended the ATA conference in recent years, you might recognize Eva as the instructor for the early-morning stretch and move sessions!

Eva enlightens us about:
-How Pilates helped resolve her own repetitive strain and chronic shoulder pain issues
-How to set up a standing desk without spending tons of money
-Why you should incorporate “movement snacks” into your work day, even if you exercise outside of the work day
-Ideas for movement snacks, even if you can’t stand up or move around (like in an interpreting booth)
-Whether ergonomic products like yoga ball chairs and split keyboards are worthwhile

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Staying healthy when you work at a desk all day