Five top tips for excellence in translation.

1)   Google as much as possible: don’t focus merely on the linguistic aspect, but also verify the content of the text. The client will be delighted to know you’ve actually done your research. Don’t hesitate to point out errors or question the information provided. A good translator takes his time to immerse himself in the subject. Needless to say you should always be subtle when informing the client of inconsistencies. After all, no one likes to be corrected and criticised.

2)   Ask a second translator to proofread your text. I know it may sound time-consuming and it may require additional (financial) resources, but in the long run it pays to have someone – preferably a translator – proofread your texts, at least when you’re dealing with large volumes. Remember that unfortunately very few translation agencies actually proofread all translations, so errors can end up costing you dearly.

3)   Take your time. Sure, the more translations you accept, the more money you make, but don’t overdo it. Ideally, you should finish a translation, close the document and re-read it after half an hour or so (or better even, the following morning). I guarantee you'll find typos and discrepancies you missed the first time around.

4)   Build up a network of translator friends and enlist their help whenever you need it. The world of translation is a tough sector where everyone wants a slice of the cake, but translators do realise they sometimes need each other’s help. Set your pride aside and just ask. Social media – Twitter in particular – has opened up so many possibilities, all just a click away!

5)   Your job is done once you’ve sent your work to the client, unless there are complaints and/or queries on his part. Don’t forget that your way of communicating with the client is just as important as the translation itself. Don’t just write “Here you go”. Show that you’ve put some effort into writing your e-mail. A brief, sloppy message doesn’t leave a good impression.

And of course, be passionate about what you do. I can’t stress this enough. If your heart is not in it, the quality of your work will be affected, so don't accept any assignments just for the sake of it. If you're not good at translating contracts, don't even bother. Focus on your field of expertise.

Au boulot!

The perception of time

Have you ever found yourself casually glancing at a digital clock and seeing the same numbers displayed in sets, like 11:11 or 12:12? For some reason, that happens to me at least six times a day. No joke. You’ll tell me “Of course, you have deadlines, you probably look at the clock every five minutes, so it’s bound to happen at some point.” But no, I don’t check the time that often. I like to believe I have a built-in clock. I usually know more or less what time it is. Anyway, it might all be a coincidence, but I still find it freaky, so I had to mention it.

Now that takes me to my main point: time. I’ve been fascinated by the concept of time for… ever. Is it linear or multidimensional? Is it “real” or “perceived” differently by each and every one of us? This is not science fiction. On the contrary, time is one of the most fundamental principles in life. We experience it every day. The clock relentlessly ticking away…

Hubby-to-be, a very rational man, is a history enthusiast. Yet he refuses to question the very essence of time. He doesn’t feel the need to define it. For him, like for most people, it just exists. It’s almost irrelevant. This view baffles me.

A few weeks ago I decided I wanted shelves in my kitchen. Hubby-to-be and his brother had to spend an entire afternoon drilling holes to hang my floating shelves, which, I’ve now discovered, serve no purpose. In the process, they had to remove my wall clock. Even though I have a clock on my laptop and one on my oven, as well as a wrist watch, I felt lost without my wall clock, my point of reference. I hardly looked at it when it was there, but as soon as it was gone, I realised just how important it was in my daily life. It’s still on my desk – close enough for me to casually glance at it from time to time. We’re trying to figure out where to hang it. Or maybe we’re just lazy.

I feel time seems to run faster now that I’m working from home. Years ago, I worked in an office for a few months, and I remember the days never seemed to end. Yes, I had deadlines there too. No, I was not bored. Yes, there were distractions – the phone ringing, colleagues chattering, my favourite song on the radio. Yet time was slow. Slower. Now, somehow, mornings seem to fly by. Before I know it, it’s time for lunch. Is it just me – or does my brain process time differently now?

If you’re interested in the concept of time, I recommend “A brief history of time” by Stephen Hawking. I’m not going to go into it, because it’s about quantum mechanics and I’d end up with the entire scientific community ridiculing my attempts at interpreting Hawking’s theories, but I do want to share an interesting quote with you below. Food for thought…