Graduate Case Studies - Charlotte - Translator and Interpreter - Freelance

Name: Charlotte

Age: 30

Degrees and universities: French BA in languages and commerce, French MA in translation and interpreting (Italian and English into French, 2003). Intensive course of subtitling for translators (City University, London, 2005). DPSI (Diploma in Public Services Interpreting), health option,  the College of North West London (2008).

Work title: Translator and interpreter.

What do you actually do?

Translation deals with the written word and interpreting with the spoken word. My source languages (the language I translate from) are English and Italian. My target language (my mother tongue, the language I translate into) is French.

I worked for SDL, a translation company, from 2003 to 2006 as a staff translator. I translated and reviewed manuals, user interfaces in software, videogames, video scripts, marketing documents and websites. I also acted as a linguistic advisor, checking the overall pronunciation and terminology accuracy during studio recording sessions (e.g. when actors come in to record videogames characters' voices or voiceovers for a corporate video or audio piece).

Since early 2006, I have worked as a freelance translator and interpreter. I also became an associate of the ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpreting). I provide translation (videogames, websites, manuals and online casino games), public service interpreting (health: for surgeries and consultants) and liaison interpreting, as well as revision services. I check for typos, grammar mistakes, consistent use of terminology, use of terminology provided by the customer, by comparing the English document with the French one.

Why did you decide to go into this sector?

When I was studying for the BA in languages and commerce, I realised that the translation modules were the ones I was really interested in. I studied for the first year of a MA in languages and commerce, but I decided not to carry on with the second year. Going to study in Italy during my BA also reinforced my idea that I was more interested in working with languages on a daily basis, as opposed to just using them less often in another job so I decided to study for a MA in translation and interpreting.

Would you undertake further training to progress your career?

Definitely. This is crucial for translators and interpreters. The industry, methods, profession and software are evolving rapidly, so I regularly attend CPD (Continual Professional Development) events, such as those organised by the ITI to keep updated on new trends. Next year, I will study for a MA in interpreting, to deepen my knowledge of conference and remote interpreting and offer these services to my customers.

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides?

Whether you are a translator or an interpreter, you are a crucial communication link that conveys a message and enables people to understand it. Therefore, you feel very useful. Producing a high quality job brings a great feeling of self-achievement, which is even more rewarding if your name appears on the piece.

Multi-tasking and prioritizing can be very challenging at times, but also very rewarding, as you develop very good organisational skills. The vast majority of translators are freelancers. Therefore, they are working from home and can feel very isolated. Fortunately, translators' associations organise "real life" meetings and a lot of online translators' forums are here to support you, should one have any questions.

What skills do you need to succeed at what you do?

You need very good command of the source languages, good knowledge of the countries in which the source language is spoken, excellent communication skills, and the will to understand (e.g. understand the concepts in a text, how a machine works, etc.).

What advice would you give other graduates coming into this sector?

If you really want to succeed, you have to believe in yourself and never give up. It is a very competitive industry, so you really need to be sure of your abilities and of the high level of services you can provide. I would also advise to work as staff translator in a translation company before being a freelancer: you develop work methods, you benefit from senior translators' feedback, and you get to know the industry from the inside. A perfect command of your writing skills in your target language is crucial. You also need a very good command of your source languages. Your mother tongue is the heart of your business.

Is there anything you would like to add?

The gap between university and your first job is very wide. So do not be afraid if you feel that you have to climb up a mountain in the first months in your first job. Join a translators' association (IOL or ITI in Great Britain), especially if you are thinking of freelancing.  ITI has a very good service, called Professional Support Group, to help people who want to start working as freelance translators or interpreters. Go to www.iti.org.uk.