If all else fails, become a translator!

These past few months, with the recession crippling the entire continent, I’ve been asked countless times by friends and acquaintances whether I could “help them find a job as a translator”, since their sector has been hit hard by the recession and I “always seem to be buried in work”.

Let me start off by saying that I’m not one of those people who think you need a university degree to make it in life. I also believe that a degree in translation or languages is not necessarily a must to become a translator. I know of many excellent translators whose studies had nothing to do with languages, but their passion and drive got them where they are today. Nevertheless, personally, I’m sure I did benefit from my translation studies. I was taught all about complex grammatical issues, tricky spelling, syntax and phonetics, but I also discovered how to tackle research, how to easily write structured texts, how to summarise, how to deal with stress, tight deadlines and criticism… the list goes on and on. In a nutshell, I was introduced to the basic principles, and that was the best foundation to build upon. During my first few months “in the real world”, I learned more than during my four years at university, but without the basic concepts, it would’ve taken me much longer to get used to the exhausting pace that has now become my reality.

The thing that annoys me immensely, is that translation is considered an easy way to get rich quickly. Where did that idea come from? Many Maltese flocked to Brussels after the rock joined the EU to “make big money”. None of them had a degree in translation. In fact, I’m not even sure whether the University of Malta even had a translation department when the rock became an EU Member State. I know some of these “translators” personally, and I don’t doubt that over the years, they’ve become good at what they do, but the one thing that distinguishes me from them, is that I am passionate about what I do, and I followed my heart, not the euro banknotes. And I’m quite sure that the institutions know where the real translators are, because most of their publications (magazines, brochures, posters, websites etc.) are outsourced. Why would they do that if their own in-house translators were so brilliant? No, it has nothing to do with volume or lack of resources. It’s a matter of quality. I can vouch for that.

Let’s be realistic for a minute. As a translator, you can make a decent living, but it’s not easy money. It’s late nights, stress and fatigue in a highly competitive sector where one bad day can cost you your entire career. If you’re in it for the money, you’ll fail. And more importantly, if you think that anyone can become a translator – “I know how to read and write, don’t I?” – you couldn’t be more wrong. We’re not human versions of Google Translate. A translation requires an effort that goes beyond typing a word in a search engine or dictionary. You need to know your client and your audience. You need to explore the cultural context behind your assignment. You need to be able to carry out focused research in the limited timeframe you have at your disposal. Translation is a combination of skill, dedication, patience, time management and experience.

The last word of the previous paragraph is key. Experience. Of course, you have to start somewhere. Prove that you have what it takes. Tricky, because many agencies refuse to give graduates a chance. The only advice I can give you, is keep trying if you’re convinced this is what you want to do, and if you have a feeling you might be good at it. Eventually your efforts will pay off. Someone, somewhere will notice your talent. But if you’re just looking for an alternative to unemployment, please look elsewhere. Unfortunately this sector is hardly regulated, so anyone can claim to be a translator, but only the good ones survive.  

Leave translation to the pros! 

A day to relax? To celebrate? To think about anything but work?

No, today I encourage you to consider your professional achievements, your development, your goals and aspirations. To be grateful for the opportunities you’ve been given. But in these difficult economic times it’s also essential to find ways to advance your skills, because you never know what’s around the corner.

I started working as a translator about six years ago. Quite unexpectedly, actually, because at university I wasn’t too fond of translation lectures. I used to skive off all the time. I graduated in interpreting, but soon realised that in Malta my language combination wasn’t all that useful. Everyone speaks English here, most people also speak – or at least understand – Italian, and Dutch is totally useless on my tiny rock in the Mediterranean. Passive French can be an asset, but only in combination with active Maltese. And my Maltese is still quite basic. I knew I had to diversify to survive in this tough sector. So I let go of the whole idea of becoming an interpreter (more on that here) and tried to be the best translator I could possibly be.

I was lucky enough to be offered an opportunity to work with probably the best translation agency in the world, Blue Lines Translations. A young, dynamic team that allows me to make mistakes and learn from them, to explore different topics to find out what suits me and what doesn’t, to get a taste of project management and so much more. I’ve discovered that I’m not good at dry financial texts and that lifestyle, fashion and beauty are precisely my cup of tea. That managing translation projects is not challenging enough for me; I prefer working backstage, where the action is. And last but not least, that young people, right out of university, deserve a chance. I’m glad I was given that chance and I’m proud of myself for using it to the full. Of course, I still have tons to learn. I’m a perfectionist, yet sometimes I don’t deliver, particularly when I have to translate French health care texts into Dutch. I don’t mind sharing my weaknesses, because I think it’s important to identify them, to highlight them, otherwise you can’t move forward. No one is invincible. If you think you are, you’re not on the right track.

On this journey, I couldn’t have wished for better colleagues. So today, on Workers’ Day, my heartfelt thanks go out to them. Thank you for believing in me, thank you for your patience, your dedication, your friendship. Work is work, I’ve said that before. It’s not the main reason for being – let’s be honest, we all like weekends and holidays. But if you enjoy doing what you do, and if you’re surrounded by like-minded people, the in-betweens become more bearable, fun even. You maximise your potential and become a happier person. And if you’re lucky, you even make friends along the way!

Workers’ Day is not simply another day off. It’s a time to contemplate and be grateful. Keep that in mind today!

Aha, the roof!

Malta has two official languages: English and Maltese. And most people also speak, or at least understand, Italian. For those of you who don’t know where Malta is: it’s right below Sicily. It’s tiny, but it has the history of a giant – temples older than Stonehenge, a marvellous capital city that showcases centuries of art, and one church or chapel for every day of the year. And it also has its very own language!

Republic Street, Valletta

When I moved here, I thought communication wouldn’t be a big issue, since everyone is supposed to speak English. FAIL. Maltese is really and truly the first language. It’s a really strange, but fascinating language - a mix of English, Italian and Arabic. I figured I have to at least know what people around me are saying. So I threw a notepad and a pen in my handbag and headed to the University of Malta, where I completed two courses in Maltese for foreigners. An unforgettable experience.

After that, I puckered up the courage to occasionally communicate with the locals in their native language. I feel it’s more respectful for me to adapt to them, than the other way around. That proved to be quite a challenge. No course can prepare you for real-life conversations. And believe it or not, there are different accents in Maltese – when you go to Gozo, Malta’s sister island, the tone completely changes and some words become incomprehensible. 

And this is Gozo

When hubby-to-be, a.k.a. the Malteser, and I bought our flat, we had quite a few workers coming in and out of our very first home. One of the first things that needed to be installed was the telephone line, otherwise there was no way for me to work. And that’s when I realised that knowing at least some basic Maltese can be a godsend. The technician spoke no English at all. Nothing. So he mumbles something and all I understand is “bejt”. Aha, bejt – I know what that means: roof. So we go up to the roof – five floors, in complete silence. God, this lift is slow. Here we are, standing on the roof, staring at each other. Awkward smile. Jiena nofs Belgjana u nofs Taljana. Nistudja l-Malti l-università. Imma mhux faċli…* (“I’m half Belgian and half Italian. I’m studying Maltese at university. It’s not easy.”). End of conversation. Reschedule appointment. Preferably with an English-speaking installer.

Maltese. Be honest, it doesn't look easy, does it?

Today, I can safely say that my Maltese has improved dramatically. Not to the point where I can keep up with an entire discussion. But I understand a lot. I’m still a bit uncomfortable speaking this odd language, though. My intonation is that of a drunk Italian and I invent words, usually by adding a “u” to Italian words – for some reason my brain thinks that Maltese is an offshoot of Sardinian. Mhux hekk?

* If you’re Maltese, I apologise for butchering your language.