Translation: Starting Out

So, after a much awaited arrival, you finally got your results. Now what?  What To Do If You Did Not Pass First of all, I am very sorry. I know you put in a lot of hours, stress, sweat and blood into this. So now what?  If you managed to pass even one of them, good for you! For the translations you did not pass, here is what I recommend: have it regraded. For starters, you never know. But the main reason for this is that with the new grade, they actually give you feedback. It is not too costly, but you first have to apply for a clerical check, which costs 20 pounds and takes two weeks. You get the results sent to your email. Once you have done so, and I don't imagine too many people have ever been affected by this, you apply for the remark. For the general translation it is 65 pounds, and for the two specialized it is 50 pounds. It still hurts, I know, especially after all you have spent. But the information given back to you can be invaluable. During the exam, how d...

So, you have signed up and prepared for the exam. What comes next? As I am sure you are feeling right now, the panic is starting to set in. That nasty pit in your stomach. No matter how prepared you are, any exam as large as this, especially one that could define your career, the nerves will set in. Mine did about a month before the exam. Personally, I had just been promoted AND was then told that my SO was being transferred to the States at some point in the near future. Our lives had been turned upside down AND I had this massive upcoming exam weighing on my shoulders. As many people who take this exam instead of going back to school, we all have busy lives that may interfere. My suggestion is the week before the exam, take time off to really focus. The exam is always on a Tuesday, and especially for those who need to travel to get to the exam, you need time to be able to focus and get everything prepared. Material to Bring You are allowed to bring any and as many dictionar...

So, you have decided to take the CIOL DipTrans exam. Good choice! Now what?  Regardless of whether or not you have been working as a translator, I highly recommend taking an exam prep course. It is a massive exam, after all, and the grading criteria is specific. And the good news is that the prep courses give you previous exam articles to work from so you get an idea of the level you will be required to translate. The CIOL DipTrans exam consists of the following:  General Text: 600 words  This text is 'general', meaning whatever the topic, a specialised knowledge is not required. However, you will be required to have a substantial vocabulary. Topics can include and are not limited to politics, the arts, business, and more. You have three hours to complete this. Semi-Specialised Text 1: 450 words  You will have the choice of three articles of the following topics: Literature, Technology, or Law. You have two hours to complete this. Semi-Specialised Text...

Once you have decided that you want to be a translator, what is your next step? This answer can vary, depending on your individual circumstances. For example, you could be at a university that offers such a degree. What I have found is that a lot of people joining the translating world often stumble into it, as I did. Circumstances, such as living in a country that does not speak your native language and you become fully immersed into it, can often lead toward a translation career. Now, for those of you out there who already have degree in something else and would like not to go through all of that again, there are other choices. Translation Degrees If you do have the opportunity, this would naturally be a great way to both see what the field is about and if you really like it. As you can read in my introduction, I changed my major three times, so I know all about having grandeur ideas, or even just inklings.  Pros would be coming out with a degree in translation, of co...