posted 02 January 2003 03:03            

I just registred with translatortips.com today. I find it very helpful already.
But I still would like to ask you all for your advice; since most of you, guys, have so much experience and knowledge of how it works in real life.
I grew up in Czechoslovakia, communist country then, where some really hard-core restrictions applied. It was forbidden to study languages, except Russian, which was a MUST! I was very good at it, it was just a beauty of the language itself and rich culture behind it to me, I didn't take any notice of a political propaganda behind it.
I also started to learn English in secret from illegal radio station Free Europe - I would record songs they played and word by word I would get translation from an old dictionary.
I was getting pretty good at it, it was more than just a language, it was a protest against a system ! I was more than ready to run somewhere - anywhere , out of this little "Eastern box", they have had kept us in.
Fortunately, the miracle happened, the Berlin wall came down and "The wind of change" set us free!!! And I was ready to fly ! I took of to Italy that first year for a couple of weeks vacation, which turned into 7 month (everybody I met was SO great and helpful and I was a babysitter before I knew it!).
I didn't know a word in Italian, but I learned quickly. It was a great experience! )
When I came back to Prague, I was lucky enough to get a great job at Embassy of India, as a secretary of Ambassador. I loved every minute of it and couldn't believe I was really working there! I knew I wasn't qualified for that position and it made me work even harder to be good at it. Everyone said I was doing a great job, but I couldn't shake of that uneasy feeling of not having a language degree in my pocket.
The opportunity to spend half of year in the USA occured out of blue and I couldn't say no to my lifetime dream!
I worked as a youth counselor for 4 month and last two month I travelled everywhere !!! It's amazing, how you always find a way to get there, when you REALLY want something. My friend Nina from former Yugoslavia and I had a desire to see every single National park in the USA, we were young, naive, brave and very,very poor and had NO idea how we were going to make it happen with $500 in our pocket, but guess what ? We did it !!! ))We camped, ate oatmeal for breakfast,lunch and dinner, took cars for drive-away programs and we have seen more, than many Americans I have spoken to.
It was crazy and impossible, but also a beautiful experience of our lifetimes! )
Since than I have traveled a lot, have worked in various countries, gained experience, met many great people from all over the world and finally I met my husband(A Limey!) and settled in Florida.

I'm currently helping students from Eastern Europe to have a chance to work and explore United States, I still remember, how hard it was for me not knowing anyone and how grateful I was for any little help.

With the New Year my original dream comes back to me more and more often now : to become "a proper" translator, one with a certification in my pocket, so I wouldn't have to be just lucky to become succesful, I want to be good at it !
I'm aware of tough competition out there, how you have to know at least four languages to be even considered etc., etc.
So I'm asking you for your kind help and advice:

Is it too late for me to start now?
I just turned 30, my mother tongue is Czech and Slovak, you have seen my English; I still rebember Russian (took 6 years of it, but haven't used it much), I speak Italian, but definitely not well enough and I'm flirting with Spanish right now.
To make a long story short : a little bit of everything but nothing to a perfection.

I REALLY want to do this, they always say, you should be doing something what you love to do and enjoy without being paid for it, and translation is "IT" for me.
But like I said : I don't know where to start, I have know idea about certifications, about software being avaliable....
So what do I do?
Do I study languages at the University to bring it to a perfection? What major do I take : is it enough to be a linguist or is it better to be a specialist in specific area (anthropology would be my choice).
Or do I just go for certification ?

OR IS IT SIMPLY TOO LATE?

Sorry, I didn't mean to take this much of your time, but thank you so very much for reading my "life story" and if you have any comments , please, please tell me !!! )

I do appreciate your help very much, since you are the most knowledgable people I could be asking these questions!

Thank you and all the best in the New Year!!!
))
Best regards

posted 04 January 2003 09:44            

Welcome to Translatortips and the world of translation!

Werner is absolutely right - some great advice there. The only thing I would disagree on, really, is I would advise you to stick to translating into your mother tongue only at this stage - no need to complicate matters by translating the other way too.

And a little bit to add, too. Have you have a look around the forum archives here? There's loads of excellent information here for people in your position. It might take some time to go through it all but it'll be well worth it.

Also, it might be worth investing in Alex's e-book at some point. It's a positive mine of information for people starting out. And the pictures are good, too!

Oh, and you don't have to have at least four languages to be a translator, and it's never too late to start - if it's what you always wanted to do, go for it!! There are plenty of people on here who'd be only too happy to chip in with advice and encouragement from time to time.

Good luck, Leny! Looking forward to welcoming you to the ranks of professional translators!

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