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lilongyue -

I'm planning to work as a translator when I've finished my Chinese language studies. Anyone here
done the same, and already working as a translator? I'd like to talk to you.



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Luoman -

I do oral Chinese translations, mostly about equipment and medicine. But I am not in China.










lilongyue -

Are you Russian? I see that you're in Moscow. Are you working as an interpreter in a business
setting?










trufflepig -

If you're in a first or second tier city, there should be lots of translation companies that would
employ you as a proof reader - not translation exactly but a step closer. Usually pay by the words.

To be a real interpreter you should be qualified - you can get the NAATI qualification in China -
thats the Australian and New Zealand standard (see their website) and is the minimum req for doing
work for government agencies in OZ or NZ in china or at home - or else do the Chinese interpreting
exams. China has its own set of qualifications for interpreters - ur school can help you find more.
I dont know about other countries standards....

The reason for getting qualified is that there is a hell of a lot of people that have done a few
years of chinese at uni but honestly dont speak very well or dont have the commercial or industry
experience necessary to add real value to an operation. Its a headache for companies that dont
speak ANY chinese to have to go through the slow path of finding out neither do you really. Im
talking about quality control.

(HSK is not a very good proof of chinese ability unless you're talking about the upper echelons).

Taking that first step and working for translation companies proof reading, builds your resume too
for when the right opportunity does come along.

all the best.










Luoman -

lilongyue, yes, I`m Russian. I work as an interpreter at business talks and at the process of
installing equipment at factories. I`ve been doing this for five years, and I consider this work
to be full of creativity. It`s a great opportunity to know different types of people, and to
improve your language skills.










lilongyue -

I've been thinking about finding some proof reading type work. What is the usual pay per word? I'm
already talking with a local English magazine about translating news articles into English (mostly
for buliding up the resume), and I'd rather do almost anything other than teach English at this
point (fed up with that). I'd like to give proof reading a try. Anything you may know and can
share would be much appreciated.










trufflepig -

The by the word rate is going to depend on where you are, in likelyhood it may not be as high as
teaching for the same time. Still its a foot in the door.

A guy i know in Nanjing who interviewed at a translation agency - they gave him a translation test
(2hrs?) which evidently he didnt do so great on then they asked him to be a proof reader instead.
That does show though that there's opportunity to be translating directly, not just proofing.

Good idea with approaching the magazine - try approaching local newspapers too, maybe get a weekly
column going, i used to do that in Nanchang years ago - your taste of music movies, life, whatever
(didnt pay well but it was exposure)....also there's been a high profile thing lately with loads
of chinese reporters being busted for stealing articles off the net translating them and fixing
their name to them - you could help those guys out lol
But seriously doing some stuff for the local papers might help a move to CCTV or whatever later
on....

anyway, good luck










lily_spring88 -

hello Lilongyue,

can I know which country do you come from? you study Chinese as your major? that is

really challenging. i do wish you can work well in china, hangzhou?

My major on the opposite, is English. but i never do the translation work, though i like

English very much. just stay at front of the computer for whole day and staring at the

article is just boring for me.

I like do the oral transltion, but few company look for the oral translator. so no chance

for me. in my free time, i do some part time oral interpretation for foreigners to meet up

for the regret then.

I live in shanghai, very near to you.










simonlaing -

Hi lilongyue,

I am doing proofreading and review at the moment for a Nanjing company. Most foreigners do this
kind of QA checking. Since the first translation is rushed through and often of very poor quality,
(not so many articles) it still takes some translating skill.

We also have occasional interpretation gigs which are very interesting . You get to go with
business people around to factories and do consecutive interpreting. The interpretation exam in
China is very difficult some chinese friends have told me. only about 10 % pass. These are the
ones that they hire to do the simultaneous translation at conferences and such. Interpretation
pays well (800 yuan a day ) but it is not regular.

Translation usually pays by the word, though some places have a base salary and then the word
count bonus is on top of that. Try to find a place in China that does a lot of Trade with Russia
so your Russian Skills will be of use. I suggest Dalian, Harbin or Xinjiang.

Good luck,
Simon

P.S. translation can be very tiring and usually doesn't pay as much as teaching. Prepare yourself.










trufflepig -

800 a day?

how come you buggers only paid me 100 a day? - someone was pocketing something there then lol

simonliang is right - it can be very tiring. Both sides hang their problems on you - its often
thankless but at the same time personally rewarding. There's an excellent book called 'Conference
Interpreting' by Valerie Taylor-Bouladon which is pitched at a very high level but written in a
very down to earth style, if anything its useful for talking-the-talk.

The person i mentioned in the above post speaks truly excellent mandarin and is in fact a chinese
medicine doctor, spending all day in the hospital chinese only - he didnt pass the exam tho as he
told me and was offered proof reading instead (which he turned down). You might want to offer to
show the company you have skills outside just mandarin to up your application?












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