Translation courses
Thread poster: Anne LE ROMANCER
Anne LE ROMANCER
Anne LE ROMANCER  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:28
English to French
Mar 22, 2019

Hi,

Although I qualified as a translator 20 years ago, I have been doing other things since and after 2 children my brain must have fried somewhat lol. So I’m now thinking of going back to some form of studying but can only do online/distance learning. Would you know of/can you recommend any courses of this type? I’m based in Surrey, uk but I’m French so I suppose it could be in either French or English.

What would be most beneficial and also really recognised/va
... See more
Hi,

Although I qualified as a translator 20 years ago, I have been doing other things since and after 2 children my brain must have fried somewhat lol. So I’m now thinking of going back to some form of studying but can only do online/distance learning. Would you know of/can you recommend any courses of this type? I’m based in Surrey, uk but I’m French so I suppose it could be in either French or English.

What would be most beneficial and also really recognised/valued by the industry?

Thanks for your help

Anne
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Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 14:28
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Do you want a piece of paper? Mar 22, 2019

Anne LE ROMANCER wrote:
I’m now thinking of going back to some form of studying but can only do online/distance learning.


If you don't want a piece of paper, may I suggest you read some of the latest books on translation theory. A lot has changed in the past 20 years. Cut your teeth on something. Or are you looking specifically for a tertiary qualification?


 
Anne LE ROMANCER
Anne LE ROMANCER  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:28
English to French
TOPIC STARTER
Getting back into it Mar 22, 2019

As such I don't really want a piece of paper but I have been out of touch with the industry and after a long chat with a professional, she advised me to try some online training/courses/seminars etc... to get back into it properly. I'm not good enough yet to sell my services. I have had a few jobs but nothing significant enough to call it "earning a living". I have 2 children so I'm somewhat stuck with working from home hence online courses. Can't really afford university courses even with ... See more
As such I don't really want a piece of paper but I have been out of touch with the industry and after a long chat with a professional, she advised me to try some online training/courses/seminars etc... to get back into it properly. I'm not good enough yet to sell my services. I have had a few jobs but nothing significant enough to call it "earning a living". I have 2 children so I'm somewhat stuck with working from home hence online courses. Can't really afford university courses even with my part-time teaching job. I need to gain experience but get no feedback from pro-bono work. I can't fly abroad to attend seminars/conferences there as I have noone to help with my children.

I need a mix of experience and feedback. And was thinking a more formal course would offer me that? Someone to correct my syntax, give me pointers, etc..... I hope I make myself clear, it's hard to explain like that.
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Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 14:28
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Do formal courses offer that? Mar 22, 2019

Anne LE ROMANCER wrote:
I need a mix of experience and feedback. And was thinking a more formal course would offer me that?


Different formal courses are different, of course, but it is my impression that you typically don't get to do a lot of actual translation in formal courses, and the amount of feedback you get is minimal, for the amount of money that you spend. I think you should try to find someone who is the same boat as you, and offer/ask them to proofread your translations. Or, for a while, have all your translations proofread by two or three proofreaders (so that it uses up all the money you get from translating).


DZiW (X)
 
Anne LE ROMANCER
Anne LE ROMANCER  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:28
English to French
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks Mar 22, 2019

Thanks for your input. Lots to think about as I need to also think about keeping money coming in to pay for the mortgage and stuff. Thank you very much.

 
The Misha
The Misha
Local time: 09:28
Russian to English
+ ...
The last thing you want to do is read books on translation theory Mar 22, 2019

[quote]Samuel Murray wrote:

... may I suggest you read some of the latest books on translation theory.


Don't bother with those. Nobody does. They are from Mars. Or Venus:) We are from Earth. What we do is a craft, and you learn a craft by practicing it. Decide on what you want to specialize in and read books, etc. in that subject matter area instead. Then don't forget to mention your newly acquired knowledge as you schmooze for business.

Good luck to you.


Kay-Viktor Stegemann
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Jean Lachaud
Joe France
Gareth Callagy
Jorge Payan
 
Rachel Waddington
Rachel Waddington  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:28
Dutch to English
+ ...
Specialisation Mar 23, 2019

Hi Anne,

I would recommend you consider courses that help you build a specialism, rather than translation qualifications. Since nearly everyone has a Master's degree in translation these days, that doesn't make you stand out, but evidence of expertise in a specialist field definitely does. Is there a marketing qualification you could do, if that is what interests you?

Regarding feedback on your translation work, maybe working with a reviewer would be the way to go.
... See more
Hi Anne,

I would recommend you consider courses that help you build a specialism, rather than translation qualifications. Since nearly everyone has a Master's degree in translation these days, that doesn't make you stand out, but evidence of expertise in a specialist field definitely does. Is there a marketing qualification you could do, if that is what interests you?

Regarding feedback on your translation work, maybe working with a reviewer would be the way to go.

Rachel
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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Jorge Payan
 
nordiste
nordiste  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 14:28
English to French
+ ...
in France: CI3M Mar 23, 2019

In France CI3M offers on-line courses on translation and writing.
Maybe you don't need a complete cursus to get a Master's degree but they offer various packages.
You'll find more discussion about them in the French Forum. The main instructor is a formerteacher at the University of Rennes.


 
Mair A-W (PhD)
Mair A-W (PhD)
Germany
Local time: 14:28
German to English
+ ...
books Mar 25, 2019

[quote]The Misha wrote:

Samuel Murray wrote:

... may I suggest you read some of the latest books on translation theory.


Don't bother with those. Nobody does.

Good luck to you.


Happy to stick my hand up and admit to being Nobody.


 


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