| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: What is the most important investment for a translator? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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A combination of all the above, starting with education as a profession cannot be characterized as such without an education, so:
Education+ training + experience
Workspace + office equipment
Memberships
Networking
My own website
And… using the services of a professional proofreader
(...)
Though some of my peers consider investing in CAT tools a must, I haven’t…
[Edited at 2019-04-02 08:52 GMT]
| | | | Marjolein Snippe 
Netherlands
Local time: 02:28
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
For me, at the moment, a CAT tool is something I would not want to do without, although as Teresa points out, this varies between translators.
I do not have a website and receive most of my work through existing clients. A fair few of those clients originally found me through Proz.com, and another few via the Dutch translators' association NGTV, so I also consider memberships an important investment (also, in addition to getting new clients, they are useful for networking, advocacy, learni... See more For me, at the moment, a CAT tool is something I would not want to do without, although as Teresa points out, this varies between translators.
I do not have a website and receive most of my work through existing clients. A fair few of those clients originally found me through Proz.com, and another few via the Dutch translators' association NGTV, so I also consider memberships an important investment (also, in addition to getting new clients, they are useful for networking, advocacy, learning etc. so definitely worthwhile for me).
Education and training are hugely important, with the amount to invest depending on the professional stage of the translator (maintenance costing much less than initial degree courses). ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 02:28
Spanish to English
+ ...
Different strokes for different folks. What works for me might not work for someone else. I suppose education would be the most important thing - although as I had a good upbringing in the UK and have a university degree, I tend to take that for granted.
CAT tools are becoming increasingly important nowadays, although many translators manage to do without them. My own basic requirements would be at least one PC and preferably one laptop as well.
Twenty years ago, I thou... See more Different strokes for different folks. What works for me might not work for someone else. I suppose education would be the most important thing - although as I had a good upbringing in the UK and have a university degree, I tend to take that for granted.
CAT tools are becoming increasingly important nowadays, although many translators manage to do without them. My own basic requirements would be at least one PC and preferably one laptop as well.
Twenty years ago, I thought having my own website would be a good idea, but never really got round to setting one up. It's never been an issue.
Networking and memberships can indubitably be useful, especially if you're starting out. ▲ Collapse
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| | HWAJIN CHOI
South Korea
Local time: 10:28
English to Korean
+ ...
| It did was such an investment, but... | Apr 2, 2019 |
So, it seems a lot of people thought it was a big investment that spending money on CAT tools. Well, I agree, but I don't think it is the most important thing.
In my opinion, the most important investment in translation is the experience that people get while living a very normal life.
Investing money isn't the only investment. Sometimes you invest time, space, memories, relationships, and something beyond them to gain such a great experiences.
| | | | Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 02:28
English to German
A combination of the above and getting enough sleep and sunlight (not at the same time). My most salient (although maybe not most expensive) investment is the one in my own well-being.
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All of them... 
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| | Julio Madrid
Mexico
Local time: 18:28
English to Spanish
+ ...
| A decent computer | Apr 2, 2019 |
Today, the most important investment for any translator, in any country, would be a decent and capable computer. Then, invest in getting clients: memberships for online directories. (Assuming you already have the most important investment: education, knowledge and experience).
| | | | Peter Simon
Netherlands
Local time: 02:28
English to Hungarian
+ ...
Well, yes, I don't suppose a serious translator would dare start a career without the necessary education so that can be discounted as a necessity - more than 40% of decently developed economies have higher education, which could, in one way or another, assure the holder of a certificate that, all else failing, he/she could use to get into translation.
As a direct investment, I'd call out the missing computer. Most people have some kind of a gadget but only a good computer allows o... See more Well, yes, I don't suppose a serious translator would dare start a career without the necessary education so that can be discounted as a necessity - more than 40% of decently developed economies have higher education, which could, in one way or another, assure the holder of a certificate that, all else failing, he/she could use to get into translation.
As a direct investment, I'd call out the missing computer. Most people have some kind of a gadget but only a good computer allows one to really work and that's also the most expensive proviso. The other conditions are not such priorities though a good CAT tool also comes in handy - on a good computer/laptop again. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Gitte Hovedskov (X)
Denmark
Local time: 02:28
English to Danish
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| Long-term immersion in life in other cultures | Apr 2, 2019 |
Without spending time getting to know other cultures first-hand, it's all just theory.
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Memberships, CAT tools and the rest.
| | | | Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
United States
Local time: 17:28
Spanish to English
+ ...
I would say:
- A good computer. a reliable backup system, a laptop, and possibly additional monitors.
- Immersion experiences in one's source languages. If one is not living in a country where the translator's target language is spoken, then regular visits, TV, and every other possible opportunity to stay abreast with the language. I lived in Mexico for 2 years, speaking my source languages on the street and at home, and I definitely found myself out of date in my native language whe... See more I would say:
- A good computer. a reliable backup system, a laptop, and possibly additional monitors.
- Immersion experiences in one's source languages. If one is not living in a country where the translator's target language is spoken, then regular visits, TV, and every other possible opportunity to stay abreast with the language. I lived in Mexico for 2 years, speaking my source languages on the street and at home, and I definitely found myself out of date in my native language when I returned to the U.S. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 22:28
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| CAT + ProZ + Equipment | Apr 3, 2019 |
There are three vital investments for us: A CAT tool, the ProZ signature and good-quality equipment/accessories. These three are what you need to succeed.
The others, experience tells you, are money straight into the garbage can.
The others:
1. Courses are overly and provenly inefficient for their purposes. There is nothing you will possibly learn in a course, paying for it, that you will not learn better by yourself at home and with experience. Plus, you'll always find out 90... See more There are three vital investments for us: A CAT tool, the ProZ signature and good-quality equipment/accessories. These three are what you need to succeed.
The others, experience tells you, are money straight into the garbage can.
The others:
1. Courses are overly and provenly inefficient for their purposes. There is nothing you will possibly learn in a course, paying for it, that you will not learn better by yourself at home and with experience. Plus, you'll always find out 90% of what they taught in the course are not quite as explained and represent 10% of what you need in your profession.
2. Certificates are required or considered by such an infimous number of clients, it really does not make any difference. It won't hurt, but you'll never get ROI.
3. Memberships: I tried several. The only one that offsets is ProZ. Memberships in associations/unions/etc. are just like the certificates: you'll never get the ROI, not even close.
4. Website: provenly useless in our profession. Many people have them as an "extra" or an advertising thing, but with very little positive outcome. ▲ Collapse
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