First job: I'm scared Thread poster: Andrea Dewhurst
|
|---|
Hello everyone
I've recently finished my postgraduate training in translation (French to English) and several months later have been contacted by an agency about some work! Exciting times!
It's a legal translation, not translating the law but providing a translation of what French legal documents say, so I guess that the final authority will always be the French documents and the Code Civil. I'm not a lawyer though I have done the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting ... See more Hello everyone
I've recently finished my postgraduate training in translation (French to English) and several months later have been contacted by an agency about some work! Exciting times!
It's a legal translation, not translating the law but providing a translation of what French legal documents say, so I guess that the final authority will always be the French documents and the Code Civil. I'm not a lawyer though I have done the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting law option and worked as a legal secretary in the past, so I have some idea of legal terminology and legalese. In my online profile that the agency saw I don't make any claims to be specialised as a legal translator. After spending ten or fifteen minutes looking at the document (I think it's around 5,000 words though some of it is repeated eg copies of letters to sign and return) I decided that I felt able to take on the job.
However I'm now terrified in case I do a substandard job and the agency is sued by their client, and then decides to sue me! And of course I want to do an adequate job and provide a useable translation for the agency and their client. I've really tried hard to put my very limited legal experience and translation training into practice and use my specialist dictionaries and online resources to the best of my ability. I have some experience of voluntary translation (including a 15,000 word report about farm management) and I was nervous about submitting that too, though more comfortable with the subject matter and purpose of the report.
I'm sorry to sound so negative but my fear of litigation is fast turning my dream of working as a translator into a nightmare. I guess I'm wondering if this is normal and what steps I could take to protect myself. I guess that the agency is responsible for the quality of translations that they send over to clients and will thoroughly check my translation and decide whether or not it is useable? I've been sick with worry over the past couple of days and really regretting taking my first step into the world of professional translation.
Thank you so much for reading
Andrea ▲ Collapse
| | | | Stephanie Ev (X) 
France
Local time: 10:19
English to French
+ ...
| Every little thing is gonna be alright ! | Dec 31, 2015 |
It's normal you feel so stressed about your first assignment. You will probably feel the same for the first ten jobs ! But then you'll settle in and things will slowly feel easier. If you can ask someone to proofread your translation before submitting it, that would be a great idea. There will most probably be room for improvement but despite some may say, nobody was perfect at first. However, it's true that the agency won't care that you're a beginner so proofread several times, have your work ... See more It's normal you feel so stressed about your first assignment. You will probably feel the same for the first ten jobs ! But then you'll settle in and things will slowly feel easier. If you can ask someone to proofread your translation before submitting it, that would be a great idea. There will most probably be room for improvement but despite some may say, nobody was perfect at first. However, it's true that the agency won't care that you're a beginner so proofread several times, have your work proofread if possible, before submitting anything. As for ways and means to protect yourself, I have to admit I don't know much about this. I think one of the main problems you may face is for the agency to not pay you... I've never had to face such issue so I couldn't advise you any further. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Don't panic! | Dec 31, 2015 |
As Stephanie says it's normal to feel stress about one's first assignment and, in my opinion, in the translation world it's preferable to be underconfident than overconfident: results tend to be better, but until you gain more experience you could ask a more experienced translator to review your work...
[Edited at 2015-12-31 14:42 GMT]
| | | | | Self-confidence comes from long experience | Dec 31, 2015 |
My first translation project (1996) was a textbook from a local client. She satisfied. Then, I expanded my market step by step. In 2009, I have a confidence to accept an International project. Self-confidence comes from long experience.
[Edited at 2015-12-31 14:41 GMT]
[Edited at 2015-12-31 14:41 GMT]
| | |
|
|
|
| Proofreading | Dec 31, 2015 |
Dear Andrea
You should have it proofread by someone.
If you like, I can check (for free) there's no major mistake.
(I'm a French native)
I wish you a happy new year
Best regards
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 09:19
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| You're clearly conscientious; is the agency? | Dec 31, 2015 |
You seem to be approaching your first job in a very level-headed way. It's to be expected that you're a little worried about the responsibility. Just don't let that turn to panic as that's a very negative emotion. Take your time; check everything twice; only deliver when you're ready (deadline permitting). You've already had good trainng and some experience, so there's no real reason why you should fail catastrophically. Just accept that you probably won't earn much per hour for this job. I reme... See more You seem to be approaching your first job in a very level-headed way. It's to be expected that you're a little worried about the responsibility. Just don't let that turn to panic as that's a very negative emotion. Take your time; check everything twice; only deliver when you're ready (deadline permitting). You've already had good trainng and some experience, so there's no real reason why you should fail catastrophically. Just accept that you probably won't earn much per hour for this job. I remember managing only 100-150 wph on my first few jobs, due to the ridiculous amount of time I spent researching and re-reading. But that soon changed.
Hopefully you have all the details for the invoice in writing (company name and registered address, tax no if necessary, all the job details such as rate, volume and total fee, payment method and date due). Once the terms have been agreed and authorisation to do the work has been received then the client MUST pay you for your labour. Of course, if the delivered text is totally unfit for its purpose then you might accept their demand for a 100% discount, but they have to provide proof. If a lot of work is required to fix the text, a discount of less than 50% might be appropriate. But a couple of less-than-perfect word choices don't normally call for anything other than an apology. Most of us never have to accept a discount. Nor do we get sued. So put that out of your mind.
Good luck! ▲ Collapse
| | | |
Being affraid of messing things up is something that should never disappear, even after decades working in the profession. Self-confidence is our worst enemy. Every little detail matters, always!
| | | |
We've all been there!
Take a deep breath, do your best and check it, then have your work checked if the agency doesn't.
Different people have different approaches, but I like to find the problems first.
I read the whole thing through, decide on terminlogy to get it consistent, and make notes about the sections I am uncertain about. That is when you ask the client if necessary, or get help from a colleague.
As you cut the problems down to size one by one, and... See more We've all been there!
Take a deep breath, do your best and check it, then have your work checked if the agency doesn't.
Different people have different approaches, but I like to find the problems first.
I read the whole thing through, decide on terminlogy to get it consistent, and make notes about the sections I am uncertain about. That is when you ask the client if necessary, or get help from a colleague.
As you cut the problems down to size one by one, and deal with any surprises, you will feel calmer.
I translate from start to finish after that, and it is much more like plain sailing. Formulating can be a challenge too - even when you understand the source perfectly... but reading it all first gives your brain time to work subconsciously and turn things over 'at the back of your mind'.
After the first translation, I give the challenging sections an extra once over, and go through it all again...
Once you have sent the job off and invoiced it, move on and DON'T think about it! Just archive it where you can use it for reference if necessary.
Best of luck and happy new year! ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
| take a deep breath & protect yourself if it puts you at ease | Jan 2, 2016 |
Congrats on the new project and for stepping out of your comfort zone! I’m sure you’ll do fine, given your background. If it’s something that really terrifies you, it may be worth looking into Errors & Omissions or personal liability insurance, for peace of mind.
| | | | | Ask a legal specialist to review it | Jan 2, 2016 |
Hello Andrea,
As others have said, your nervousness is perfectly understandable and a good thing because it will make you more careful.
Also, I think that once you become absorbed in the translation process, you will soon forget that it is a 'live' translation and your ability and skill will rise to the surface. It might be worth paying an experienced legal translator to review your translation when you've finished (unless you know someone who would do it as a favour) - obvi... See more Hello Andrea,
As others have said, your nervousness is perfectly understandable and a good thing because it will make you more careful.
Also, I think that once you become absorbed in the translation process, you will soon forget that it is a 'live' translation and your ability and skill will rise to the surface. It might be worth paying an experienced legal translator to review your translation when you've finished (unless you know someone who would do it as a favour) - obviously this would shrink your profit, but might be worth it for your peace of mind this first time.
All the best... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Andrea Dewhurst
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:19
French to English
TOPIC STARTER
Hello again
Many thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to my message, it's much appreciated and very kind. You've given me plenty of food for thought.
Best wishes and thanks again
Andrea
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » First job: I'm scared | Trados Studio 2022 Freelance | The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.
Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop
and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
More info » |
| | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
