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 MoreHow Do I Get My First Paying Gig?
By听Giovanna Lester Let鈥檚 start from the premise that you already have some training, you know the language and culture you will be working with, and now what you need is some exposure, some clients. Where do you go from here? The answer is multi-tiered and demands determination. These are my recommendations to anyone about becoming a freelancer: 1. Identify your…
Read MoreWhy Be a Buddy?
By Helen Eby At my first ATA conference, back in Denver, I felt overwhelmed by the newness of it all. My roommate, however, acted as a buddy. She was great! 听I met her through the Roommate Finder, so she was a total stranger. We didn鈥檛 share a language, a specialty, or anything of that nature. Just a desire to have…
Read MoreDear Newbie,
By Jamie Hartz We鈥檝e been in your shoes. In fact, I鈥檓 personally still in your shoes. Last year was my first time at the ATA annual conference, and let me be the first to tell you: it鈥檚 overwhelming. But take heart! 鈥淏uddies Welcome Newbies鈥 is here to help. I was a first-time attendee and an undergrad student looking to learn…
Read MoreHow to Market Yourself at the ATA Conference
By Kevin Hendzel Reblogged from Word Prisms听with permission from the author I鈥檝e hired thousands of translators and interpreters for over 20 years, many from ATA conferences.听听 Here鈥檚 how to attract attention, stand out from the crowd and win new clients. You鈥檝e arrived in sunny San Diego to 70-degree, zero-humidity weather and spectacular views from your room of sailboats, cruise ships…
Read MoreComputing for the Newbie
By听Jost Zetzsche First of all, technology does no good if there are no skills to use it with. No, I’m not talking about great programming or software development skills, but instead very fundamental skills that can’t be assumed to be present. Typing: I’m an OK typist now, but I’m sure that I lost a few thousand dollars in my early…
Read MoreWhy the 兔子先生?
By Daniela Guanipa When I first joined ATA back in 2003, I knew it was the organization to join if I wanted to be serious about my language career in the United States. But the truth is I did not know exactly why. During the fall of 2002 I had had the opportunity to attend my very first ATA Annual…
Read MoreHelen鈥檚 adventures in translation 鈥 Chapter 1
By Helen Eby I started translating when I was 15, when I helped my mother with an IATA (International Air Transportation Association) contract. We each did half of it and reviewed each other鈥檚 work. That was back in 1976, with paper and pencil, in Argentina. I have continued translating and interpreting at different events, no matter what my official occupation…
Read MoreAdvice for a new translator on job hunting
By Jill Sommer Reblogged from Musings from an overworked translator听with permission from the author I received an interesting comment from Martha, a new translator. I felt this was important enough that it shouldn’t be buried on a page no one will see. Martha has agreed to my posting it here for everyone to comment on. I particularly hope that some…
Read MoreTen Tips for Translators
By听Holly Mikkelson Whether you’ve had formal training as a translator or not, you may find these tips helpful for making your initial ventures into the profession a success. Before you begin translating a text, read it all the way through, without thinking about how to translate it into the target language, and get a general sense of what it鈥檚 all…
Read MoreFrom ATA’s Divisions: The Spanish Division
By Francesca Samuel ATA Spanish Division Administrator When I was asked to write an article for the newest ATA blog, I felt excited and honored to be asked to contribute to its maiden voyage. What would I write about? What would new members want to know? How could I engage them, if only for a few minutes? I thought about…
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