A German To English Translator Shares Her Business Tips (part 1)

Here's our interview when she shares her business tips with us:

Q: 1.Joanna, can you tell us a bit about yourself, how did you become a German to English translator?

A: When I came to Austria 20 years ago as a complete non-German speaker I never imagined I’d become a professional translator.

I quickly learnt German on university courses and by general immersion, and after a couple of years felt fairly at home with the language.

However, I soon realised that being a native English speaker (UK) was going to be my greatest professional asset. I guess I am lucky that English is so widely regarded as essential here – most Austrian and German companies of any size will at least have an English version of their website.

I started out in freelance translation about 10 years ago and realised I needed a professional qualification - both to be confident about my own level of skill and to help me stand out from the crowd.

So I took the Chartered Institute of Linguist’s professional qualification, the Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) in the language combination German to English. I’ve since been accepted as a Member of the Institute (MCIL).

Before becoming to Austria I worked in London in PR and marketing. As a result, I am what you call a “general translator”, but I do enjoy translating advertising and marketing texts in particular!

2. Q: In your view what makes a good translator?

A: A love of language (obviously!) and playing with words. The willingness and ability to become immersed in the topic of the translation and do the necessary background research. An ability to stick to deadlines, keep your cool, be polite but firm, and confident enough to know your worth!

3. As a German to English translator, what makes you different from your competitors?

A: A difficult question! Translators come from such a diverse range of backgrounds, each with their own inherent strengths and weaknesses. I would say my professional strengths lie in my academic background paired with professional experience outside translation - in my case PR.

In terms of my German skills, I have a huge advantage in being continually immersed in my source language, giving me greater insight into linguistic nuances and keeping me more tuned in to German/Austrian news/current affairs/ cultural developments than someone living in a non German-speaking environment, perhaps.

My professional experience in London means I also understand what it means to work in a high pressure environment and to tight deadlines. I also realise that most people outside the profession have very little idea about what translation involves!

Q: 4.What are the challenges you are facing as a German to English translator?

A: Well, any freelance translator needs to be a bit of an “all-rounder”. Not only do you have to enjoy sitting in front of a computer, playing with words, and being motivated to organise your day as you would in any office (routines!), but you also have to enjoy and be effective at all those “extraneous” activities – the marketing and self-promotion, planning, professional development etc.

I suspect most people tend to have strengths in specific areas, and therefore it takes determination and focus to concentrate on the areas where you feel less comfortable.

As a German to English translator, my key challenges include maintaining a solid customer base, so that when one customer falls away (a natural process) there is another to take their place, and fighting “target-language deprivation”. I’d also add the challenge of maintaining a presence in face-to-face or virtual networks of translators and language professionals, to maintain your profile in the market and keep up to date with relevant technological developments etc. ( to be continued in part 2 - German English translator)

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Power of freelance translators - Interview With A.M.Sall (part 2)

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Importance of marketing - interview With A.M.Sall (part 4)

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