Becoming A Translator For Dummies

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	Foolish Assumptions
	Icons Used in This Book
	Beyond the Book
	Where to Go from Here
Part 1 Understanding What Translation Is All About
	Chapter 1 Turning Your Attention to Translation
		Defining Translation
			Exploring traditional definitions
			Expanding the definition
		Seeing Translation All Around You
			On the smartphone
			On the internet
			On television and in films
			The instructions you read
			Translated books
		Busting Common Translation Misconceptions
			Translation isn’t fast, cheap, and easy
			You don’t need to know several languages
			Being bilingual isn’t enough
			Translators aren’t automatically interpreters
			Translators aren’t just walking dictionaries
			Translators can’t translate anything and everything
			Translation transcends loss and impossibility
		Deciphering Key Translation Terminology
			Source
			Target
			Equivalence
			Localization
			Translation industry
	Chapter 2 Recognizing the Importance of Translators and Their Translations
		Expanding Access to Information and Ideas
			Spreading the ideas of people who write in other languages
			Providing language access
			Offering access to language
		Supporting Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
			Leveling the playing field
			Giving everyone a seat at the table
			Celebrating diversity
		Preserving and Protecting Legal Rights
			Supporting civil rights
			Promoting language rights and justice
		Leveraging the Symbolic Value of Language
			The words mean something
			Breaking away from all or nothing
		Educating the General Public about Translation
			Going beyond providers and recipients
			Planning for translation
	Chapter 3 Becoming a Professional Translator
		Choosing Your Path to Becoming a Translator
			Accidental paths
			Translators in schools
			Intentional paths
				Developing your languages
				Learning about translation
		Mastering Two Essential Skills: Reading and Writing
			Developing an intimate knowledge of the source text
			Understanding why directionality matters
			Developing the skills to write well
				Audience and tone
				Punctuation and capitalization
				Grammar and spelling
				Vocabulary and cultural knowledge
		Procuring Essential Tools and Resources
			Space
			Equipment and access to resources
			Translation tools
			Planning and time
			Financial support
			Mentors and colleagues
			Advocates and allies
			Texts to translate
		Taking a Proactive Approach
			Getting involved from the start of a project
			Knowing the intended use of the translation
		Doing More Than Translation
			Writing your own texts
			Educating clients
			Advocating
			Teaching
			Editing
Part 2 Getting Your Head in the Game:
	Chapter 4 Building Your Skill Set
		Knowing the Language and Understanding the Culture
			Developing reading and writing skills
			Exploring dialects and language variations
		Knowing What You Need to Know — Beyond a Second Language
			Building your translation knowledge
			Expanding your content knowledge
		Building Additional Skills for Success
			Developing research skills
			Honing your technical skills
			Cultivating your people skills
		Putting Your Translator Skills and Mindset to Work in Other Fields
			Understanding, interpreting, and transforming laws
			Focusing on the written word as a writer or editor
			Promoting social justice
			Exploring translator opportunities in healthcare
			Finding your place in education
			Scoping out opportunities in communications
	Chapter 5 Checking Out University Programs
		Exploring University Programming
			Distinguishing theory from practice in translation programs
			Understanding Translation Studies
			Balancing theory and practice
		Finding Translator Programs in the US and Abroad
			Knowing where to look in the United States
				Understanding language departments and translation
				Searching for translation in English departments
			Looking at programs outside the United States
		Exploring the Depths of Undergraduate Programs for Translators
			Going all in: Getting a degree in translation or a related field
			Dipping your toe into translation: Minors and other opportunities
				Minors
				Concentrations
				Certificates
			Getting down to the nitty-gritty: Individual translation courses
		Taking a Deeper Dive
			Exploring graduate programs in translation
				Master’s degree programs
				MFA programs
				PhD programs
				Certificates
			University translation centers and other innovative projects
				Translation centers
				Projects
	Chapter 6 Expanding Your Options with Non-University Programs
		The Value of Establishing Credentials
		Non-University Programs
			Training for translators
			Online offerings
				Language service companies and small businesses
				Training with an accomplished translator
				University offerings for nonmatriculated students
		Looking Into Mentorship Programs
			Within professional associations
			TED Translators
		Scoping Out Customized Skill and Educational Opportunities
	Chapter 7 Focusing on Specialization, Certification, Certificates, and Professional Development
		Determining Your Specialization
			Legal
			Medical
			Literary
			Other ways to specialize
		Pursuing Certifications and Certificates
			Certifications
				Organizations that offer certification
				Testing
				The benefits of certification
			Certificates
				Certificates aren’t certifications
				The range of certificates
Part 3 Creating Translations
	Chapter 8 Adopting an Effective and Efficient Translation Process
		Gathering Information Before You Translate
			The translation brief
				Basic information about the project
				The purpose of the translation
				A submission date
				Further information
			Compensation agreement
			The translator’s lens
		Reading and Understanding the Text
		Asking Questions: Analyzing the Text
		Translating the Text to Produce Your First Draft
			Clearing up any doubts: Revising your translation
			Polishing it: Editing your translation
		Considering Post-translation Tasks
			Manage the translation
			Disseminate the translation
			Archive the translated document
	Chapter 9 Inviting Machine Translation into Your Office
		Getting Up to Speed on Machine Translation
			Origins and major moments of machine translation
			Machine translation today
		Understanding What People Mean When They Talk about Machine Translation
			Options
			Keeping up with developments
		Providing Human Input for Machine Translation
			The responsibilities of humans in machine translation
			Deciding when to use machine translation
		Putting Machine Translation to Work for You
		Developing Machine Translation Literacy
		Meeting the World’s Translation Needs
	Chapter 10 Accepting That Translation Changes Everything
		Abiding by Language Conventions
		Expecting Translation to Change the Space and Look of the Text
			Word count
			Reading order
		Understanding Why Translation Changes Everything
			Languages don’t line up perfectly
			Words have many meanings
			Words and languages have histories
			Context matters
	Chapter 11 Exploring Translator Ethics
		Understanding Ethical Standards
		Ensuring You Have the Skills to Do the Job
			The language skills for the assignment
			The subject knowledge for the assignment
		Knowing the Boundaries of Language
			Understanding your own language and translation skills
			Helping vs. hurting
		Disclosing and Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
		Using Machine Translation Ethically
			Knowing how to use machine translation and AI tools responsibly
			Being transparent about the use of machine translation
			Handling sensitive information
		Honoring Confidentiality
		Committing to Loyalty
		Letting Your Supervisors Know What’s Right
			Knowing what to say when your boss asks for a translation
			Turning down work diplomatically
		Supporting the Professionalization of Translators
			Charging for translations
			Recommending another translator if you can’t take on a job
Part 4 Making Translation Your Career or Business
	Chapter 12 Choosing a Way to Work: Employed or Self-Employed
		Working for Yourself
			Knowing what to expect as a freelance translator
			Starting a business
			Negotiating agreements
			Recognition
		Working for Others
			Translation agencies
			Organizations that hire staff translators
			Translating as part of another job
			Checking out the job description
			Dual-role translators
		Looking for Work
			Getting ready to apply for jobs
			Finding and responding to job postings
	Chapter 13 Curating the Range of Professional Services to Offer
		Directionality: Which Way to Go with Your Languages
			Being qualified to translate “into” a language
			Being qualified to translate “from” a language
			Translating from unknown languages
		Editing, Transcribing, and Other Language-Related Skills
			Polishing and editing texts
				Revising
				Proofreading
			Transcribing
			Writing subtitles
				Closed captioning
				Subtitling
			Interpreting
		Sharing Your Knowledge with Other Translators
			Educator
			Consultant
			Champion
	Chapter 14 Setting Up Your Work Environment and Choosing Your Tools
		Finding a Suitable Workspace
		Procuring Equipment and Access to Resources
		Gathering the Tools of the Trade
			Word count tools
			Dictionaries
			Style guides or manuals
			Word lists and glossaries
			Translation memory
		Keeping in Touch with Mentors and Colleagues
		Recruiting Advocates and Allies
	Chapter 15 Breaking Into the Profession
		Getting Experience When You’re a Rank Beginner
			Find an internship
			Get a job at an agency
			Assist a professional translator
			Volunteer
			Support a translation office or related department
			Create your own translation projects
		Networking Your Way to Translation Opportunities
			Attend conferences
			Be present on social media
			Seek out local events
		Building Your Portfolio
			Your resume
			Short translation samples
			Your translator’s statement
			Testimonials from clients
	Chapter 16 Getting Paid and Recognized
		Estimating Your Earnings as a Translator
			Full-time translator for an organization
			Full-time employee with non-translator duties
			Independent professional translator
		Getting the Recognition You Deserve
			From the translator perspective
			From the reader perspective
			Others who can recognize translation and translators
			The Translated Bookmark
			Translated Book Awards
		Staying Active
			Keeping your translator skills sharp
			Staying in touch with the profession
Part 5 The Part of Tens
	Chapter 17 Ten Tips for Getting Started as a Translator
		Consider Your Qualifications
		Live Language and Translation
		Work with Others
		Talk about Translation
		Elevate and Support the Profession
		“No hay reglas, solamente casos” — Javier Calvo
		“Duda siempre” — Amelia Pérez de Villar
		Determine How and When You’re Credited for Your Work
		Keep Translating
		Prepare to Add Your Own Tip to This List
	Chapter 18 Ten Influential Translators and Supporters of Translation
		American Translators Association
		American Translation and Interpreting Studies Association
		PEN America
		American Literary Translators Association
		Translators Without Borders
		National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)
		Edwin Gentzler
		Lynne Bowker
		Lawrence Schimel
		Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp
	Chapter 19 Ten Additional Sources to Help You Succeed in Translation
		Brand the Interpreter
		Why Translation Matters
		Fundamentals of Translation
		Words Without Borders
		This Is a Classic: Translators on Making Writers Global
		MultiLingual
		Slator
		How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator
		Dreaming Murakami
		Smart Habits for Translators
Index
EULA