International Translation Day

What’s life like for a professional translator? And what does the future hold for the industry? We find out.

Since 2017, International Translation Day has recognised language professionals around the world for their vital work in strengthening global communication across every type of industry, political system, non-profit organisation, and more.

To mark the day, we turned to our very own in-house project managers and freelancers to find out what they think about translations as a career (keep reading for top tips on how to stay motivated as a freelancer) and what the future holds for the industry.

First up, we asked a handful of Ultimate Languages project managers to give an insight into the world of translations from an everyday point of view. Here are a few highlights:

Job satisfaction and interpersonal skills

“One of the best things is meeting new people with diverse backgrounds and learning about their cultures.“

“The variety, [there’s] something new every day. The people you work with are people from all over the world with the same goal.“

Dynamism and diversity

“I love the intercultural side of the job: the various languages, the various styles of communication, the “personality“ of different cultures. I also like how translation, most of the time, is hand in hand with hot topics all around the globe. And how dynamic translation is, it “moves“ with trends.”

Communication is the key to globalisation

“I mostly enjoy knowing that the work that I do adds value to the global community. Communication is the foundation of globalisation, so knowing that I am helping in some way to support [that] is fulfilling.“

“I like how no matter how different cultures are, we all show a human aspect that places us on the same side. I like how even though translation can be a lonely ranger’s kind of job, I meet some amazing team players and super helpful co-workers. I love how much I learn from working with translators.”

From learning opportunities to multiculturalism and keeping the wheels of globalisation turning, as our project managers testify, there’s plenty to celebrate this International Translations Day, and not least, the translators themselves. Here’s what a few of our regular freelance linguists and translators had to say about their industry, workloads, deadlines, and… AI.

What strategies have you used to stay motivated, and how do you maintain consistent productivity over the long term?

Katja

My strategy for maintaining consistent productivity is using microtasks. I chop assignments up into smaller sections and “reward“ myself once that task is done with a cup of coffee, playing with my two dogs for 5 minutes, or sitting outside for a bit in my garden (or a quick dip in my swimming pool in summertime) so I can start again fresh. 

Heleen

I stay motivated by planning coworking sessions with a friend who is also a translator and by working on a broad range of subjects. Every day is different!

Anna Rita

I always try to choose my goals wisely. I also break down my tasks into manageable micro-goals.

Laura

I have changed specialist subjects when I sensed burnout signs, and I guess consistency comes when you are faithful to your own personal style.

What key factors have contributed most to your long-term success?

Katja

Never missing a deadline (this seems obvious, but apparently it isn’t for all translators), plus offering competitive rates (this does not mean undercutting colleagues’ rates) and quality work.

Heleen

I’m quite tech-savvy, so I like to stay on top of new technology. I try not to be afraid of new inventions in the world of localisation but to find a way to use them to my advantage.

Saskia

I think my long-term success is mainly due to having built good relationships with just a handful of translation companies over the last 15 years. This allows me to really focus on specific end-clients year after year and deliver consistent translations in their preferred style.

Laura

It may sound daft, but not having permanent stability makes you stay alert and thrive on doing your best.

How do you balance staying updated with industry trends and technology with focusing on the types of work that you truly love doing?

Heleen

I try to keep in touch with clients who give me assignments that I like working on the most. I’m also active in a few translation groups on social media, which is a great way to stay up to date with developments.

Anna Rita

I really love my work; I think that’s the basic requirement to do any job. In addition, I think adaptability and the will to continue learning is crucial.

Saskia

Although translators are generally scared of AI taking over our jobs, I’ve found that AI functionality in translation tools has actually helped me be way more productive in certain types of work. And for those types of work that AI isn’t very helpful, I enjoy still being able to use my own creative skills and writing style.

Laura

I miss the “old days“, when translating was more like a craftwork and less a machine-created task. I like writing. I like words, what can I say?

What are the two main pros and cons of freelancing compared to traditional roles?

Katja

In my case, [freelancing] offers me the flexibility I need to assist my children, especially my youngest who has a mild form of autism. It also allows me to pick and choose projects, which I value immensely. The downside would have to be that clients often want work done yesterday, which makes it a race against the clock and a bit of a juggling act. And not having colleagues is something I sometimes miss. Working on a big project with other people and enjoying a bit of banter is hard to beat.

Laura

Pros: flexibility (time and location) and freedom (to accept/not accept tasks). Cons: no guaranteed monthly revenue and the need to promote yourself.

Saskia

Pros: being able to focus on the types of work I truly enjoy and having the option to work more hours to boost my income when needed. Cons: not having colleagues in the room to chat with and twiddling my thumbs during quieter periods (although thankfully that doesn’t happen too often).

Thanks again to our amazing team of linguists and project managers for sharing their views with us.

If you are interested in becoming part of our team as a translator please contact us.