Business skills provision in postgraduate translation courses

Transcription

1 Business skills provision in postgraduate translation courses University of Portsmouth 8 November 2014 Karen Stokes FCIL, MITI, CL (Translator)

2 Background and sources Working Successfully as a Freelance Translator Future-proofing the Profession: Equipping the next generation of translators Joint event and follow-up survey Survey of MA / MSc courses in the UK Discussion forums

3 Future-proofing the profession survey least well-equipped areas overall Business skills Interpersonal skills Subject (domain) knowledge 73 8 Technological skills 66 1 Research skills 44 4 Intercultural skills 38 5 Translation skills Not very equipped Not at all equipped

4 Future-proofing the profession survey: business skills by role % Not at all equipped Not very equipped Academic Freelance Translation agency Student In-house Other

5 Course survey 30 course descriptions 24 UK universities MA / MSc in translation, translation & interpreting and translation studies 14 European Master s in Translation (EMT) courses Classroom-based and distance learning

6 Business / professional skills module No 64% Yes 36% 88% 12% Optional / compulsory

7 Range of activities Setting up a translation company / simulated translation agency Seminars Work placement Shadowing translators Project management tasks

8 Skills Team working Reflection on own knowledge, strengths and weaknesses Negotiating Administration and business planning Theoretical framework of terminology and translation project management Use of CAT and other tools Editing, copy-editing and proof-reading Translating books Localization

9 Knowledge Industry-standard translation software Business awareness, professional standards and ethics Role of machine translation Translator roles Professionalism and professional organisations

10 WORKING SUCCESSFULLY AS A FREELANCE TRANSLATOR Four workshops: Feb/Mar and Oct/Nov Individual or whole series Small groups (maximum 10 participants) Follow-up tasks Getting Started in the Translation Industry Selling Translation Services Marketing Yourself as a Professional Translator Financial Management for Translators

11 Outline: WSFT I and II Getting Started in the Translation Industry Identifying sources of work Translation qualifications Developing and maintaining professional competence The translator s office Basic legal and tax requirements Networking and getting support Sources of information and useful resources Selling Translation Services Identifying and developing areas of specialisation Market research and identifying potential clients Writing a translation-specific CV and persuasive covering letter Pricing and productivity Pros and cons of working with agencies and direct clients Terms and conditions of business

12 Outline: WSFT III and IV Marketing Yourself as a Professional Translator Marketing translation services online Building a professional brand Establishing and maintaining a professional network Ethical dilemmas and professional codes of conduct Introduction to CPD for translators: planning and reflection Financial Management for Translators Keep clear business records Analyse the costs of a translation business Agree terms and conditions of business Calculate a profitable pricing structure Produce a cash-flow forecast Negotiate effectively Keep track of credit control and manage risk Deal with payment problems

13 FPP Recommendations Work collaboratively to provide continuing professional development opportunities to improve specialist domain knowledge and technological, interpersonal, intercultural and professional skills, for both recent graduates and established translators Increase support for newly established translators through formal and informal contact with experienced practitioners, particularly through mentoring programmes and internships Facilitate access to reliable and comprehensive information on training opportunities and resources

14 From classroom to practice Customised programmes One or two-day Short presentations Online options Informal support Formal mentoring Student membership

15 Links and contact details WSFT: > Training Future-proofing the Profession: > News > 21 October 2014 Student membership: > Membership > Membership grades > Student

16 Questions?