posted 19 October 2002 18:16            

Well!

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posted 22 October 2002 01:40            

Weird though, eh? Here I am, about to take the most nerve-wracking plunge into the unknown as a freelance translator, shaking in my proverbial boots, and trying to scrounge as much free advice as I can, and yet nobody else seems to be asking any questions at all. Talk about ruining your already fragile confidence! Am I going to be competing with translators of such quality and caliber that they know all the tricks of the trade, and don't need to ask any questions whatsoever?

posted 22 October 2002 08:10            

quote:

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[...]and yet nobody else seems to be asking any questions at all. Am I going to be competing with translators of such quality and caliber that they know all the tricks of the trade, and don't need to ask any questions whatsoever?

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I've found that the whole thing goes in fits and starts. Things seem to be very quiet on the board at the moment, presumably because of school holidays (UK) and lots of work coming in??

To answer your second question - wouldn't it be nice to be in that position!! I don't think there's anyone who can't learn something new from someone else. Even those of us who've been in the trade for years always have something new to learn.

Also, I think quite a few new translators look at some of the responses already given and read the e-book, and that gives them a lot of info to go on to begin with. It's only when you get to your stage that you need details more specific to your own situation. So ask away!

quote:

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I think I might just stay in my comfy position as an in-house translator...

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I thought that way, too. Haven't looked back since going freelance!

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posted 22 October 2002 08:48            

quote:

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Originally posted by Apollo:
I think quite a few new translators look at some of the responses already given and read the e-book

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That's certainly what I'm doing There's quite a lot to get through, so I'm browsing a thread or two at a time (and hoping I don't ask a question that's already been answered in detail elsewhere).

I'll get around to getting the e-book one of these days, too.

posted 22 October 2002 11:41            

We have 1124 registered forum users here.
Only 272 have ever made postings (24%)

But only 18 (1.6%) have made more than 10 postings. So it's not exactly a hive of activity. But if it were, it could be a pain to administer.

People by and large prefer email groups because you don't have to log in to anything. Look at TCR. Laura more or less gave up on her web forums a few weeks ago and started another discussion list.

But they're here if people need/want them and they're building into a good little resource of info all the time.

I usually refer people to the forums when they email me their questions privately because I'd rather the answer was out there to help more than just one person. Also they can get more than just one opinion on any given situation - which can be valuable.