A Practical Guide for Translators
2nd Edition
Published on 6. October 1995
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-1-85359-303-1 (ISBN)
Description
This is the second edition of A Practical Guide for Translators and succeeds the highly successful first edition. While it is almost impossible to be fully up-to-date in a book, the author has endeavoured to provide a brief insight into electronic publishing and other emerging technologies. This book is intended for those who have little or no practical experience of translation in a commercial environment. It offers comprehensive advice on all aspects that are relevant to the would-be translator and, whilst intended mainly for those who wish to go freelance, it is also of relevance to the staff translator as a guide to organisation of work and time, as well as to career progression. Advice is given on how to set up as a translator, from the purchase of equipment to the acquisition of clients. The process of translation is discussed from initial enquiry to delivery of the finished product. Hints are given on how to assess requirements, how to charge for work, how to research and use source material, and how to present the finished product. Quality control is considered and guidance is given on where to obtain further advice and professional contacts. Computer hardware and software are reviewed. Practical advice is given on how to obtain capital, what insurance cover is needed and how to ensure prompt payment. The book also considers repetitive strain injury and workplace ergonomics. A Practical Guide for Translators distils the essence of years of experience gained by the author working as a staff translator, freelance translator, university lecturer in translation studies, and head of a translation company. As a result, it covers most practical aspects of translation.
More details
Series
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Channel View Publications Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 148 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
166 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-85359-303-1 (9781853593031)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Geoffrey Samuelsson-Brown
A Practical Guide for Translators
Book
10/1995
2nd Edition
Multilingual Matters
€133.63
Article exhausted; check different version
Person
Geoffrey Samuelsson-Brown is a translator with more than 30 years experience in the profession. He has taught translation at the University of Surrey and has given papers at national and international conferences. He developed from working as a freelance to managing a significant translation company. His career as a translator has turned full circle and, after selling his translation company, he returned to the creativity of working as a freelance again. While the art of translation demands many skills, the author continued his personal development and completed a Master of Business Administration degree in Strategic Management, International Enterprise and a management research project entitled "Skills Auditing in Small to Medium-sized Enterprises".
Content
Part 1 How to become a translator: literary or non-literary?; finding a "guardian angel"; starting out as a translator; working as a staff translator; working as a free lance; what's the difference between a translation company and a translation agency?; working directly with clients; test translations; recruitment competitions; marketing your services. Part 2 Bilingualism - the myths and the truth: target and source languages; target language deprivation; localization. Part 3 Your working environment and the tools of the trade: your working environment; buying equipment and consumables; what does it all cost?; purchasing your initial equipment; dictating translations; conversion between systems and software programs; computer-aided translation (CAT). Part 4 Sources of reference, data retrieval and file management: dictionaries; standards; compiling glossaries; product literature; data retrieval and file management; database applications; production records. Part 5 Quality control and accountability: translation quality in relation to purpose, price and urgency; what is translation intended for?; deadline; production rates; problems faced by the individual translator; pre-emptive measures; decision flowcharts; quality control operations; translation reports. Part 6 Presentation and delivery of tranlsations: thou shalt not use the spacebar!; setting up columns; macros; desk top publishing; electronic publishing; getting the translation to the client. Part 7 Running your own translation business: registering a business; setting up a budget; how to charge for your work; working from home; accounts; taxation; pensions; holidays; safety nets; dealing with salesmen; advertising. Part 8 What if things go wrong: preventive measures; equipment insurance; maintenance; indemnity insurance; client who are slow payers or who become insolvent; dealing with client disputes; arbitration; fault analysis flowcharts. Part 9 Professional organizations for translators: The Institute of Linguists; The Institute of Translation and Interpreting; The Translators Association; Federation International des Traducteurs.