You can find that piece on the Training for Translators blog. In February 2017 I wrote in more depth about this topic, including describing how others can get into this field. It improves both my subject-matter expertise, since I read cutting-edge research while editing these papers, and my English writing skills. Importantly, I have always felt that this area of work improved my translations. In recent years the volume rose to make up about 20% of my gross revenue-a significant part of what I do. Then I prepared a talk on the topic and it became obvious that other into-English translators were interested in adding this to their skill set. Around that time, 2015 or thereabouts, I added it to the list of things I mentioned when I say what I do. I had picked up a few regular clients (rather than one-offs, which are pleasant but not a big money-maker) and started getting word-of-mouth referrals. My website and online profiles didn’t mention it.
![americans monolingual americans monolingual](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/oxford-picture-dictionary-monolingual-american-english-dictionary-picture-the-journey-to-success-181119073059/95/oxford-picture-dictionary-monolingual-american-english-dictionary-picture-the-journey-to-success-2-1024.jpg)
There is perhaps more call overall for these editing services for those of us whose native language is English, but all freelancers can provide similar services for their native language.įor a decade I didn’t market myself for this non-native editing. Many people, especially people with degrees in a technical field like me, provide only that editing service. Non-native editing (also known as ESL editing) for academics who have to publish in English when that is not their native language can of course be a career in itself. That request came through my profile, where I am registered under “English (monolingual)” as well as my main translation pair. Shortly after I started translating I got my first request to edit a chemistry journal article written by an author whose native language was not English.
#Americans monolingual series#
With this in mind, we’ve invited a series of guest authors to write about the diversified service offerings that have helped their businesses to thrive, in the hopes of inspiring you to branch out into the new service offerings that may be right for you!įor as long as I’ve had my freelance business, I have been a translator who is diversified within my narrow area of subject expertise. Diversification can help us hedge against hard times. Offering multiple services in different sectors or to different clients can help steady us when storms come. The Savvy Newcomer team has been taking stock of the past year and finding that one key priority for many freelance translators and interpreters has been diversification.