Having large translation projects such as working on a book can be interesting especially for people who are passionate about translation. Whether you are a freelance translator or you have been employed to do translation work, there are some challenges that can come with the translation that you should be aware of before you embark on your translation work.
Steps of Handling a Translation Project
- The project manager analyses the texts and gives the client a quote based on the work that is available.
- The project manager then starts preparing the file for translation depending on what the client has asked.
- The translator/linguist then gets to work by following the checklist that they have been given.
- The editor will then look at what the translators have done to ensure any errors that may have escaped the translators are fixed.
- The project manager then takes it up and ensures all the steps have been followed before it is published. They sometimes have an independent proofreader to go through the project.
What Could Go Wrong During Translation?
- Not following instructions: Not all translations are as basic as writing down the meaning of words. Some projects come with special instructions that need care and some level of experience and that is why it is advisable to hire full time professionals not someone helping you in their lunch break and someone who can concentrate and read the instructions thoroughly before embarking on the project.
- Not asking questions: Sometimes even experienced translators can have challenges with the instructions given, or with understanding what exactly the project needs. In that case, they should always go back and ask questions. Mistakes happen when those who are working on the project assume that they know what they are doing without confirming when there is doubt.
- Not checking the facts: If you are working on a project on a specific topic or a personality, you should try and also do some research so that you can have a grasp of the subject matter. If you understand the subject, it will be easy to notice some flaws in the text and see what to correct.
- Overestimating your ability: It is not wrong to aim high and take up more responsibilities as a translator. However, you should be realistic on the kind of project you can accomplish within a certain time frame. If you take a big workload, you may end up having to hurry up the project and that is when you make a lot of mistakes.
- Using Google and apps to translate: The translation apps can end up translating word by word instead of putting context into the text. As a translator, things will start going wrong when you turn to technology to do everything.