Translation as a Profession

The following articles, written by Roger Chriss in 2005, cover every aspect of the translation profession at present, both the freelance and in-house work environments. You can read the articles from start to finish, or use the index below to go straight to the area that interests you most. Roger Chriss has also written a book called Translation as a Profession if you want more current, detailed information.

Article 1: Who and What is a Translator? covers basic questions such as Who is a Translator, the matter of Where Translators Come From, as well as What Is a Translation, and What Is Translated. It also looks at The Role of the Translator and the possibilities In-house versus Freelance for work.

Article 2: What Translators Do starts with A Day in the Life as a Translator, then addresses the all-important question of Income. It then disucsses How To Survive as well as How To Succeed in the profession. Finally, it looks at Should You Be a Translator?, and if so, Should You Go In-house or Freelance.

Article 3: Starting Your Career begins by describing Where to Start, including the questions of Advanced Training, professional Experience, and Translation Training.

Article 4: Translation Careers describes the First Steps you take to get started, then The First Job as a freelancer. It then discusses possible Career Paths and industry Trends, and finally explains Making the Most of It in the profession.

Article 5: Translation Agencies starts with the question What Is An Agency? and explains Why Translators Need Agencies. If you want to go freelance, then read First Contact to find out how to approach agencies, Cover Letters to learn what to say, and Responses from Agencies to know what to expect.

Article 6: The Translation Job describes a typical Work scenario and then gives details about The Translation Job. It discusses the all-important aspects of Delivery, and everyone's favorite topic: Money. Finally, it explains How to Win Agencies and Influence Them.

Article 7: The Home Office explains What Is a Home Office, then describes Deductions for use when preparing taxes. Next comes the matter of Advantages and Disadvantages to working from home, since not everyone is in a position to do so or will enjoy it.

Article 8: Computers starts by explaining how to choose The Computer, then discusses Software for freelance translators as well as the Peripherals needed for a good home office. Next, the Internet, all-important now, and finally advice for buying Used Equipment.

Article 9: Finances looks first at the Black Side of a Translator's Balance Sheet, then discusses Rates for translation work. Next comes the Red Side, where taxes, including deductions, insurance, and investment are explained. The issue of Credit is also addressed, and finally an answer to the question Does It Balance?

Article 10: Professionalism addresses Ethics for translators, the important issue of Handling Clients in difficult situations, and then gives Tips to be More Professional, highly useful for improving relations with clients or other translators.

Article 11: Machine Translation looks at the role computers play in automating the translation process. After dispelling rumors and myths, it looks at MAT at present, and then the likely Evolution of the industry as computers become more powerful and capable.

Article 12: The ATA introduces the American Translators Association and its major activities, including the annual Conference and Certification. Next is a Perspective on the ATA and its role in the profession, and finally a discussion of Other Professional Groups for translators.

Article 13: Other Options looks at what else you can do with foreign language skills, including Interpretation, which is quite different from translation, Project Management and Terminologist work in the translation profession, Language Teaching, Linguistics, and several more possibilities besides.

Article 14: FAQs gives quick answers to questions about Business, Preparation for the Field of translation, issues regarding Business Practices and how to handle problems, questions about Taxes and Finances, matters involving Legal Issues, various questions about Computers (hardware and software), membership in the ATA or Certification, and some Miscellaneous matters.