Forum: Japanese / 日本語
Topic: Becoming a full-time JP-ENG translator
Poster: Sarai Pahla
Post title: I think your estimate is off
I think the estimate of the number of characters you can read is probably wrong - you're probably way higher than 1000 - if you took N2, you'd have to know at least 2 - 3 thousand (because it covers N5 - N2), not to mention that you say you can translate newspaper articles (I haven't tested you and choose to believe you ;) ).
I agree strongly with other posters that you need to choose an area of specialisation - in fact, that is how I started my work as a translator without a translation degree as I have a medical degree. Patents are the most lucrative area to work on, followed by business and finance, and then the sciences (medical, engineering, computer science, etc.). Choose something that you are interested in. You could also consider working in-house rather than going freelance straight away.
Some more thoughts:
You can, of course, set up a website to show your language skills - it obviously can't hurt - but have a look on Proz at some of the turnaround times required and see if you would be able to match them or beat them. You could also start by working as a proofreader and gain experience before you start translating. You could also look under the Proz Exchange if anyone is looking to mentor a JP to EN student translator (you might even get paid) and see how they can help you.
A bit scattered, but I hope that helps.
Topic: Becoming a full-time JP-ENG translator
Poster: Sarai Pahla
Post title: I think your estimate is off
I think the estimate of the number of characters you can read is probably wrong - you're probably way higher than 1000 - if you took N2, you'd have to know at least 2 - 3 thousand (because it covers N5 - N2), not to mention that you say you can translate newspaper articles (I haven't tested you and choose to believe you ;) ).
I agree strongly with other posters that you need to choose an area of specialisation - in fact, that is how I started my work as a translator without a translation degree as I have a medical degree. Patents are the most lucrative area to work on, followed by business and finance, and then the sciences (medical, engineering, computer science, etc.). Choose something that you are interested in. You could also consider working in-house rather than going freelance straight away.
Some more thoughts:
You can, of course, set up a website to show your language skills - it obviously can't hurt - but have a look on Proz at some of the turnaround times required and see if you would be able to match them or beat them. You could also start by working as a proofreader and gain experience before you start translating. You could also look under the Proz Exchange if anyone is looking to mentor a JP to EN student translator (you might even get paid) and see how they can help you.
A bit scattered, but I hope that helps.