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UK MA in Translation Studies Thread poster: Mark Sam
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Gerard Barry
Germany
Local time: 06:40
Jerman menyang Inggris
Lieven Malaise wrote:
Gerard Barry wrote:
Even apart from AI, translation is not a line of work that I would recommend to anyone because of the modest pay, lack of opportunities for promotion, boring work, etc. Like I said, approach with caution.
I am not exactly thrilled by the documents I'm asked to translate (user manuals, government policies, contracts, laws, public contract specifications etcetera), but I enjoy every minute translating them. It's quite remarkable to choose translation if you think it's a boring job.
Also, opportunities for promotion and even the pay were never considerations when I chose to become a translator (just like I never planned to become a freelancer). I chose something that I enjoyed doing and found interesting, and that's exactly what I recommend my children to do, without even thinking about economical opportunities. Begin with doing what you would like to do, and if it doesn't work out: adapt and do something else.
My oldest son dreams of becoming a truck driver, for several years now. He's now studying supply chain management because I told him it would be ashame not to capitalize on his 6 years of Greek and Latin to get a college degree. But after that I will fully support him, despite the fact that the pay won't be great. Doing something that makes you happy is more important than a high paycheck or career opportunities.
Well, when I decided to become a translator, I didn't realise it would be quite so boring, did I? In any case, the job options for language graduates are quite limited in my experience, despite what universities will tell us.
Whatever about promotion (I was never a very career-minded person), I think pay is very important in any job. We all need to eat, put a roof over our heads, pay the bills and, hopefully, have some disposable income left over and be able to save money as well. Obviously being happy in your work is important too but let's not deny the reality that we all need money either.
It's good that you're supporting your son to do whatever he wants career-wise. But are truck drivers as badly paid as you're saying? I dare say many of them earn more than translators do!
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Lieven Malaise
Belgium
Local time: 06:40
Member (2020)
Prancis menyang Walanda
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Gerard Barry wrote:
Obviously being happy in your work is important too but let's not deny the reality that we all need money either.
Sure, that's why I said that you can always do something else if it doesn't work out. But you shouldn't expect that it won't work out, imo.
Gerard Barry wrote:
But are truck drivers as badly paid as you're saying?
I didn't say "bad". In Belgium it would be just over the minimum wage (unless you drive internationally, which is better paid). To be clear: you can live from the minimum wage, it's just "not great". Indeed, like inhouse translators: okay, but not great.
As far as freelancers are concerned: you can't really put them into the equation. The wage of a truck driver or an inhouse translator is more or less pre-determined. Freelancers that continue to work for an income that's basically too low, "choose" to do so. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to quit the industry if I can't make the money any more that I need to make.
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Matthias Brombach 
Germany
Local time: 06:40
Member (2007)
Walanda menyang Jerman
+ ...
Baran Keki wrote:
In the meantime you can take up plumbing. A part time German plumber translator here makes big bucks (or so I've heard).
...as can be seen below, and with the old trick known from "London" agencies: Just go and establish your career in a low cost country, but advertise as if your business is settled in a country (or city) known for good standards:
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