Case studies: Freelance translator: Charlotte

Charlotte currently works as a freelance translator after starting her own business, CMC Translations. Charlotte studied modern languages and European studies at the University of Bath, and her course included a placement year working as an in-house translator for a translation company in Spain and an NGO in France. This experience helped Charlotte to realise that translation was what she wanted to do when she completed her course. 

The translation business is hard to break into as a newcomer. Without a language degree I wouldn’t be able to get much work at all. Ideally, you need a Masters or degree in translation. But I had nine months' work experience from the year abroad and a year working in a translation company after graduation, which really helped. I’m studying for the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL)  Diploma in Translation, which, as well as improving my skills in Spanish to English translation, will hopefully give me more credibility as a professional translator and help me to get more work.

Getting started is the hardest part but there are things you can do to help yourself. Membership of relevant institutions will provide you with support and useful advice, so it’s worth becoming a member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)  or IoL early on. It’s essential to take care over your work and never accept a job that exceeds your abilities - one bad translation could end a potentially long-lasting relationship with a client. Ensure you keep up with the news and culture of your source languages by reading and watching/listening to the news in foreign languages, as well as keeping your language skills up to scratch. Make sure you have a good CV and covering letter and keep these up to date. If you lack experience, consider doing pro bono work for charities. Ask fellow translators for good companies to apply to as a newcomer and don't get disheartened by not instantly having regular work. Keep marketing yourself and remember it takes time to get established.

It’s essential that you have a thorough knowledge of the source and target languages as well as the ability to write well and creatively in English. You need an excellent eye for detail and awareness of the cultural differences and localisation of a text. Think about the target audience and consider whether cultural nuances need to be translated, as they may not be understood. You also need to have a professional attitude when dealing with clients and the ability to critically evaluate your work and to ask for clarification over anything that is unclear in the source text in order to ensure the best end product for the customer. You need to have knowledge of the market and how the translation business works, and you can get this by gaining some experience within a translation company.

The best part of my job is that I’m doing something I enjoy every day and using my languages in a creative way. I like the flexibility of working from home and being able to choose my hours. Being your own boss gives you a good feeling, as you’re in control of everything to do with your business, from the actual work to the invoicing and accounts, and although this involves doing lots of boring admin tasks, it’s all for your own benefit. However, you do have to be disciplined and it’s a solitary occupation, but I’m gradually building up contacts that I can turn to for advice. No two days are the same and if I don’t have translation or admin to do I’m busy marketing myself and trying to find work.