My website

My website is up and running again.  Apparently I let my domain name expire. I noticed this after trying to edit my website last week.  Although it did have 105 hits which obviously in the scope of the Internet and all of the translation sites out there is nothing but I'm proud of it. 

If I deleted any members I am sorry.  Become members again!!

I do like my website.  I like the colors and the layout.  It might be too wordy though (and as a translator we like to try to be as concise as possible), shouldn't this reflect in our marketing?  And I definately need a new picture.  Something more professional.  

Pretty packaging that reflects my work.

Québecois vs Français

OK.  Yes, in essence they are both the same language. They can be understood by one another. One thing I have learned in my job however is that there are truly some major differences!  For starters the difference in accent is amazing!!  I find myself at times having to ask clients to repeat themselves as I sometimes, admittedly, cannot understand over the telephone what they are saying.  I have written up several key questions if I encounter this to help me understand my customer's needs and it seems to work.  I'm sure I have an accent as well when I speak to them.

I'm assuming it is similar to Mexican Spanish vs. Spanish spoken in Spain.  I'm sure the two can understand each other as well, however, when it comes to translating documents is it very different?  Is there anyone that translates from the same languages but as spoken in different parts of the world?  I'd be interested in hearing some of the challenges. 

Back in the game

So since I decided to start translating again I have already had two offers!  One I accepted right away as he is a former client and I did many a translation for him in the past.  The other I am negotiating the deadline with.  It just feels good to be there again.  I was contacted for the second offer from someone who actually saw my website which means it is seen and that makes me feel very good. 

To be doing two jobs using my French language skills!  How lucky am I?  This is what I have been wanting for some time now.

A second go around

I have been at my new gig now for about 3 months and it seems to be working out for me. However, even though I do enjoy it I can't help but feel as if I'm missing something.  I've been thinking of putting myself out there again and translating.  Now the question is....how?  Do I just pick up where I left off?  Should I try to reinvent myself?  Update my website with a new look? 

I would like to hear some ideas if any of you have ever taken a hiatus from translating for a while.

Thanks

Yes it has been two months.....

Yes it has indeed been two months since my last post.  I have to admit I haven't really done anything with translation lately.  I got a new job!!  I'm very happy.  I'm particularly happy because I will be using my French language skills approximately 80% of the time.  This will hopefully open another door for me in the translation world as well.  It will be so nice to finally be able to communicate in French on a daily basis!

I will try to post much more often now.  Up and running again shortly!!

Skype

For a while now I have contemplated using Skype as a marketing tool.  With this technology I can reach clients on a larger scale.  Instead of flying workers and/or clients in and arranging accomodations, people are using Internet based portals at a growing rate to hold meetings, give lessons, and conduct different aspects of business.  Why not go the same route for translation?  Yes translation is written text, but a tool like Skype could be beneficial, for instance, in discussing a current or future project with a client.  If your proofreader has Skype you can go over any discrepancies or questions that may arise without having to constantly send emails to each other. The immediate connection through Skype, along with the face to face contact may put you at an advantage.  Any tool that facilitates or benefits your business can only be positive after all!

Can't think in my own language!

I just finished a small project for which I am thankful.  They always seem to pop up when you need them most!  While working on this document however, you would not believe how many times my mind went blank and I couldn't even think in English!  I mean, I couldn't find the words or phrases needed.  Somethimes I feel as if I think too hard and I don't just let the meaning of what I'm reading flow out of me onto the computer screen.  Its like my brain turns off.  For example, when learning a language you just have to talk.  Don't worry about making mistakes because chances are, in my experience anyways, if you think too hard you tend to make more errors.  Whereas, for example, if you are at ease, it just kind of rolls off your tongue (usually much more correctly)!  The same with translation....as long as you get the basic meaning down, you can always go back and tweek it.  Translation should not be a terribly laborious task.  When I feel my mind blocking I make myself take a break otherwise the translation is no longer a fulfilling experience but rather becomes more like a difficulte chore.

Direct clients or agencies?

I have worked for both direct clients and translation agencies.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both I think but I definitely prefer direct clients.  I would never say that one has higher standards than the other, hovever, I do feel that in my experience the direct client tends to be a little easier to work with. If there is ever a question concerning the project the answer is just an email away, as opposed to having to go through the agency to see exactly what the client is trying to convey.  Payment can be more easily negotiated, as well as, on certain occasions, the deadline.  Agencies usually want projects yesterday and can't really budge on the price much.  While I am always professional with all my clients, I do like the rapport that develops where I can actually address them by their first name or not have to worry about exactly how I word my email and can just reply with  a 'Pas de problème.  Vous l'aurez d'ici la fin du mois'.  A certain satisfaction comes along with knowing that someone really likes your work and will continue to send work your way

Marketing yourself to agencies is far more difficult in my opinion also.  I feel that the direct client is much more willing to take a chance on a new translator than an agency is.  If the translator doesn't not live up to agreed expectations then the direct client can just move on, where as the agency has a reputation to uphold and the consequences may be far more serious.  Agencies have lists of translators they can contact and, like anyone would, probably stick with translators that have worked for them for a long time and have consistently proved themselves.  There are also no tests to take with direct clients!

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

What happened to my motivation?

I am so over the winter blahs and ready for spring!  My motivation is always higher at this time which is good considering I haven't been feeling motivated lately.  I did just get a propostion from a company for the translation of their website so I am waiting on that at the moment.  It has been slow since mid-February which is to be expected with taxes and what not going on.  To some extent it's my doing...I am guilty of being a little lazy and not doing much marketing this year yet, which, as I said in a previous post, was one of my goals for 2011.  What happened to my motivation??  Marketing can be a full time job in and of itself and I, admittedly, was just to busy with life in general (bought a car, might have a new job, might move, etc...) and didn't want to take the time out.  Isn't that terrible? 

I'm back on track now though!  There are highs and lows to any career and I think I've been experiencing a low.  Time for another high!

Leitmotiv

Word of the day:  leitmotiv (n)  German for leading motive - in music a recurring musical theme; a dominant or recurring theme; an idea or object ocurring again and again.

It should not be translated from what I am told.

Here is the sentence I used it in: Where scientific knowledge is the only knowledge can be viewed as the leitmotiv.

I love learning new words!!

Proofreading projects

Does anyone do much proofreading for others?  My latest project consisted of proofreading someone else's translation and then translating a few last paragraphs.  I will tell you that proofreading is hard and can be very challenging!  Trying to decipher  and make sense of what someone else was attempting to convey (unfortunately the English in this one needed quite a bit of re-working) can be extremely difficult.  Even being familiar with the subject matter does not always help if the language is just way off base. Little grammatical faults here and there are not a big deal and somewhat understandable, but when it is necessary to completely rewrite phrases that is a different story. I actually went as far as asking the client if the original in French still existed to see if they could possible send it to me because I felt as if it really needed to be re-translated!  I am by no means the best transalator but I was extremely shocked when I received the document to be corrected. 

I do like the challenge of proofreading and fortunately the client was satisfied (although I hate that word which to me means satisfactory and not great) and offered me another proofreading project in a couple weeks.

Speaking and writing are very different

No posting for a month.  My mind has been elsewhere with certain situations that have come up recently. 

I was working at the airport the other day and I had about three coworkers call me to speak French with some passengers going to Montreal who were delayed.  Let me tell you I was so disgusted with myself though!  Reading and writing is so much easier than speaking.  I think most people would agree.  Even though everything came out fine I was just horrified.  It all just seemed to take so much effort.  It wasn't as fluid and I found myself having to remember a verb or two. Obviously a trip to France for a few weeks is much needed.  It's so difficult to keep up a language, speaking wise, when you don't use it on a daily basis. 

I read and write French frequently with absolutely no problem.  Translating allows us time to think about how or what we are going to say.  With speaking we don't have that time.  Which tense of verb should I use here?  Is the subjunctive necessary after this?  These are questions that quickly flash through my mind when speaking (it happens simultaneously while I'm talking to the person) and I'm sure I've made an error or two.  When we have the time, it's much easier to remember correct grammar.