The easiness to learn languages led me to my translation studies. After working as an employee for some time where “time is money”, sometimes regardless of quality, I took the risk and started a project of my own. This decision made me understand better that saying; it made me develop some strategies with the purpose of meeting the needs of time and money saving, without risking the quality of the final work, (whose purpose is to communicate in the same language as the target’s).
-After all, why should I resort to a translator?
Usually, and after many conversations with company owners, the main reason not to resort to a translator is because “Once I had someone translating one of my catalogues and it didn’t turn out as I expected. The translator knew nothing about the subject and besides paying for the service, I had to have my salesman/my secretary revising it – he/she ended up doing it from scratch… Once was enough!”
Fact: there are some people that feel they can translate because they lived abroad. With few exceptions – and there are indeed good ones – living abroad does not entitle you with enough knowledge to translate. This requires getting much more information like language structure, grammar, idiomatic expressions (sayings… ).
To better illustrate the work of a translator let’s look at the example of a project designer…
The translator knows grammars, dictionaries, handbooks, websites; he/she researches the most common vocabulary of the area he/she is working on. He/she has to develop a specific set of skills to perform the job.
The translator talks with the client to better understand the purpose of the translation and who is the target of the message.
He/she translates the text and adapts it according to the target. After all, “raining cats and dogs” is the same as “chover a cântaros” (it’s raining pitchers[sic]) or “il tombe des hallebardes” (halberds are falling [sic]) or yet “llueve a mares” (it’s raining seas [sic]).
The translator has a specific training.
When needed, the translator has his/her work certified by a Notary Public, a Solicitor or an Attorney-at-law (usually personal documents or contracts)
The PD knows the laws, regulations, websites, how to make calculations; he/she has to develop a specific set of skills to perform the job.
The PD talks with the client to better know his/her purpose, goes to the place to map it out or to become familiar with the work (if it is already in progress).
The PD draws the project and follows-up its implementation; when needed, he/she makes the necessary adjustments.
The PD has a specific training.
The PD is subject to entities that certify his work, granting him/her or his works with the due licenses.
How do I do it?
In agreement with the client and according to the size and complexity of the project, I organize a simple procedure establishing steps and fulfilling priorities. Let’s face it: not everything must be ready for yesterday…
Don’t hold on to that prior not-do-good experience. If you would like to try, click here and talk to me.
Languages
English, French, Portuguese e Spanish.
Type of Documentss
Multiple and varied documents.
Translation certification
Certified translation for various legal situations.
Working conditions
All work is done confidentially.
