The Savvy Newcomer aims to serve newcomers to the translation and interpreting professions by publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed content on a weekly basis. We strive to provide you with the answers to the many questions you face as a new or aspiring translator or interpreter.
This post was originally published on听KGH Interpretation. It is reposted with permission.听 In 2022 I facilitated a session of the Language Access Caf茅 at the NCIHC Annual Membership Meeting and was asked to speak about interpreter self-care. Prior to the meeting, I decided to do an informal survey of medical interpreters asking them some questions about their mental health. I wanted to have a little bit of data that would clue me in on some of the issues interpreters were facing. While most of the results I shared during the AMM focused on stressors and supports, I also briefly shared…
Read MoreEmail Best Practices: How Not to End Up in the Recycle Bin
It鈥檚 bound to happen sooner or later in our careers. That moment when someone thinks you have enough seniority and may be interested in subcontracting. Or your email address somehow ends up on a mass-distribution list. Or you just become the target of scammers. Whatever the case may be, a message like the one below听pops up in your inbox: Complete…
Read MoreNew Directory of Translation/Interpreting Studies
Reposting with permission from ATA HQ The future of our profession lies in the education we provide today. ATA has partnered with The Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) to develop an online international database of education and training programs. The Directory will be an invaluable resource to students searching for programs in translation, CAT tools, interpreting, localization, project management, computational…
Read MoreTablets for Interpreters: The Device You Didn鈥檛 Know You Wanted
Reblogged from听The ATA Chronicle with permission听by the authors (incl. the images) Just as increases in laptop storage and processing capacity led to the replacement of desktop computers, advances in tablet technology make it possible for users to streamline even more. The latest tablets offer a host of streamlined tools for interpreters, even in high-stakes settings like court and conference interpreting.…
Read MoreLet鈥檚 Spring into Action in Miami this March!
From March 16-18, 2018, Miami is hosting what will surely be the must-attend event of the season for professionals of the T&I industry. Co-organized by the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Florida (ATIF), the Spanish Language Division of the 兔子先生 (ATA), and Florida International University (FIU),* Spring into Action will be a three-day event featuring the internationally…
Read MorePursuing the Translation Dream: What to Know After the Phone Rings
As a new translator, you have prepared yourself long and hard to take on clients, and now the phone is ringing鈥攎etaphorically speaking. So, how do you answer? This post is part two of a five-part series on how to assess your readiness to become a successful translator, inspired by the ATA鈥檚 Self-Evaluation Questionnaire for Translators. If you have not already,…
Read MoreAre You Using LinkedIn to Get High-Paying Clients?
If you are spending all or most of your social media time on Facebook, you are missing out on the chance to meet and impress high-paying clients. While it may be fun and comfortable to network with colleagues on Facebook, the clients you want to attract are spending their time on LinkedIn鈥攖he #1 business social network. LinkedIn Helps Freelancers Get…
Read MoreThe Savvy Newcomer Year in Review – 2017
The year 2017 has been another great one for The Savvy Newcomer, and we are glad you have been a part of it. We thought it would be nice to wrap up this year with a recap of what we have been up to with the blog in 2017 and what we are looking forward to in 2018. We hope…
Read MoreUnraveling Translation Service Contracts
By Paula Arturo Reblogged from听The ATA Chronicle with permission听(incl. the images) Let鈥檚 examine what translation is to the law, what type of contracts translators should have, some of the benefits of having a contract, and resources for drafting one. A common misconception about freedom of contract is that, when it comes to agreements between willing parties, pretty much anything goes.…
Read MoreSo You Want to be a Freelance Translator or Interpreter: Services and Specialization
What services should I offer? Many translators provide more than just translation services. Since many are self-employed, it can be helpful to offer related services in order to differentiate yourself, serve customers鈥 needs, and bring in extra income. Here are some of the many ancillary services translators may offer: Bilingual editing: Reviewing another translator鈥檚 work by comparing the source and…
Read MoreLinguist in the Spotlight: An Interview with Maryam Abdi
In this second installment of our 鈥淟inguist in the Spotlight鈥 interview series, Maryam Abdi, Somali-English translator and interpreter specializing in law, reminisces about how and why she ultimately chose a career in translation and interpreting (T&I) over law school, the elements of successful entrepreneurship for translators and interpreters, why she encourages new translators to think beyond their passions when it…
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