The Savvy Newcomer aims to serve newcomers to the translation and interpreting professions by publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed content on a weekly basis. We strive to provide you with the answers to the many questions you face as a new or aspiring translator or interpreter.
Many language professionals start out doing their work “on the side” of whatever else they are doing in life. When people find out you are bilingual, you may be asked to do some volunteer interpreting to help out a friend, family member, or someone in need, or you may agree or be expected to do the occasional translation—and maybe even get paid for it. Volunteering and doing small side jobs are great ways to gain experience and improve your skills as a translator or interpreter. But in order to be a professional—whether you plan on doing this work part-time or…
Read MoreFinding your First Translation Clients
By Corinne McKay Reblogged from Thoughts On Translation with permission from the author I receive a lot of inquiries from people who would like to become translators, and most of these e-mails have something to do with finding those first few elusive translation clients. If you ask 100 translators how they got started in the business, you’ll probably get at…
Read MoreHow Do I Get My First Paying Gig?
By Giovanna Lester Let’s start from the premise that you already have some training, you know the language and culture you will be working with, and now what you need is some exposure, some clients. Where do you go from here? The answer is multi-tiered and demands determination. These are my recommendations to anyone about becoming a freelancer: 1. Identify your…
Read MoreWhy Be a Buddy?
By Helen Eby At my first ATA conference, back in Denver, I felt overwhelmed by the newness of it all. My roommate, however, acted as a buddy. She was great! I met her through the Roommate Finder, so she was a total stranger. We didn’t share a language, a specialty, or anything of that nature. Just a desire to have…
Read MoreDear Newbie,
By Jamie Hartz We’ve been in your shoes. In fact, I’m personally still in your shoes. Last year was my first time at the ATA annual conference, and let me be the first to tell you: it’s overwhelming. But take heart! “Buddies Welcome Newbies” is here to help. I was a first-time attendee and an undergrad student looking to learn…
Read MoreHow to Market Yourself at the ATA Conference
By Kevin Hendzel Reblogged from Word Prisms with permission from the author I’ve hired thousands of translators and interpreters for over 20 years, many from ATA conferences. Here’s how to attract attention, stand out from the crowd and win new clients. You’ve arrived in sunny San Diego to 70-degree, zero-humidity weather and spectacular views from your room of sailboats, cruise ships…
Read MoreComputing for the Newbie
By Jost Zetzsche First of all, technology does no good if there are no skills to use it with. No, I’m not talking about great programming or software development skills, but instead very fundamental skills that can’t be assumed to be present. Typing: I’m an OK typist now, but I’m sure that I lost a few thousand dollars in my early…
Read MoreWhy the American Translators Association?
By Daniela Guanipa When I first joined ATA back in 2003, I knew it was the organization to join if I wanted to be serious about my language career in the United States. But the truth is I did not know exactly why. During the fall of 2002 I had had the opportunity to attend my very first ATA Annual…
Read MoreHelen’s adventures in translation – Chapter 1
By Helen Eby I started translating when I was 15, when I helped my mother with an IATA (International Air Transportation Association) contract. We each did half of it and reviewed each other’s work. That was back in 1976, with paper and pencil, in Argentina. I have continued translating and interpreting at different events, no matter what my official occupation…
Read MoreAdvice for a new translator on job hunting
By Jill Sommer Reblogged from Musings from an overworked translator with permission from the author I received an interesting comment from Martha, a new translator. I felt this was important enough that it shouldn’t be buried on a page no one will see. Martha has agreed to my posting it here for everyone to comment on. I particularly hope that some…
Read MoreTen Tips for Translators
By Holly Mikkelson Whether you’ve had formal training as a translator or not, you may find these tips helpful for making your initial ventures into the profession a success. Before you begin translating a text, read it all the way through, without thinking about how to translate it into the target language, and get a general sense of what it’s all…
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