One smart person once said that “a picture is worth a thousand words”. As a translator, I can say that this was an exaggeration. I
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Selected online terminology resources for translators
Terminology is crucial for our work as translators. We are continually searching for the right words – in our heads, in dictionaries or online resources,
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Three Lessons: Humility, Collaboration, Perseverance.
All three – in that order – hold the key to becoming a world-class translator. An interviewer, who was also a writer, once asked me
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Les tarifs en traduction, ce casse-tête
Suite à une demande récente, je me décide enfin à écrire sur un sujet vaste qui me tentait depuis quelques temps : celui des tarifs.
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Entrepreneur or Freelancer – What’s the Difference?
It seems like everyone with a business is an entrepreneur these days. The truth is, you don’t have to be an entrepreneur to run a
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Being a Project Manager in the Translation Industry
What is it like to be a PM in the translation industry? What skills are needed? What is your role? While the umbrella term ‘project
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My (layman’s) take on CAT tools: Wordfast Classic vs. Trados Studio 2014
I’ve been meaning to write about CAT tools for some time now, but before you all shoot me down in flames, I should start off
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5 productivity hacks for busy freelancers
5 hacks and tips to help freelancers improving their daily productivity. December is upon us, and the pre-Christmas working craze has begun. Busy months are
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Why Translators And Interpreters Compare Themselves To Doctors And Lawyers
A professional translator and interpreter should be seen in the same way as any professional in the medical or legal profession, because ultimately all three
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T-Manager Terminology Tool
T-Manager is a Microsoft Excel-based terminology tool, designed in VBA, to automatically analyse, customise and manage terminology on the fly. T-Manager can also be used
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Why Global Products Need International QA Testing
QA testing is a cornerstone for a successful product, but in a global economy, it’s important to think about international QA testing. Here’s why.
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8 Skills You Must Have to Succeed as a Freelance Translator And How to Get Them
Necessary skills to succeed as a freelance translator and how to improve them. Having been a freelance translator for over 10 years, I can definitely
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Translators should not be subject to lie detector tests
It is inappropriate and wrong for translators to be ordered to take lie detector tests, says Brampton lawyer-linguist Suzanne Deliscar. The issue has become a
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Mastering without a Master’s – Part 1
2 part-article. When I came to the end of my undergraduate language degree, I came very close to studying for a Master’s degree in translation,
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Professionalism in the age of social media
We need to talk about online professionalism. Professionalism is a word we hear a lot as translators. As an unregulated industry, we naturally need to
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When Bad Translations Happen to Good People
I received an assignment from a long-standing client last week that made my Spidey-sense tingle as soon as I read the instructions. It was billed
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Which Terminology for the European Citizen?
In the era of globalization and multilingual communication, States, companies and organizations need to establish and to share a commonly understandable terminology. Two questions have
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Towards Defining the Role of Localisation Professionals in the Achievement of Multilingual Web Accessibility
Expertise in web accessibility matters has not been traditionally observed as a requirement for localisation professionals. Similarly, not enough evidence exists with regard their role
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Technology, modernity, and globalization are great for interpreters, it’s just that…
Dear colleagues: We are very fortunate to live at a time when there are so many developments that make our lives more comfortable; this includes
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Is it better to work with agencies or direct clients?
Freelance translators have their say: Is it better to work with agencies or direct clients? Part of the joy of being a freelancer is being
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MSEO: Why Glossary Terms Don’t Work For Keyword Localization
Glossaries and keywords may overlap, but glossary terms are no substitute for keyword localization. Here’s why. Building out multilingual versions of a global website almost
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Freelancing Plus Financial Phobia Equals High Anxiety
Spring, a joyful season of rebirth, also brings its share of woes. Hay fever, for example, and taxes. If, like me, you are a freelancer
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How to export a termbase from MultiTerm to Excel or Word
If you translate using SDL Trados Studio, you probably have lots of handy MultiTerm termbases. (And if you don’t use termbases, have a look at
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Los traductores que comían cacahuetes
Antes que nada, voy a ser sincero: esta entrada la estoy escribiendo con cierto resentimiento, así que, es probable que cuando me tranquilice la vea
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5 Excuses Translation Agencies Use When They Do Not Assign Their Project To You!
During my seven years of experience as a freelance translator, I have collaborated with countless agencies around the world, I have e-met fantastic people and
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Thinking About Taking a State Court Interpreter Exam? Here are my Top Recommendations
Last week I had a wonderful lunch with a talented young woman who is interested in becoming a court interpreter. I learned about her background,
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Resources on Rare Diseases for Translators – Mastermind Translations
To celebrate Rare Disease Day, in this post I briefly discuss rare diseases and list resources on rare diseases and orphan drugs for medical translators.
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