Jack of all trades – or: the many hats some translators wear

by | Sep 23, 2023 | communication, finance, legalese, market, specialisation, standard, success, tools | 0 comments

Well, not all the terms and professions above apply to me. Some of them do, though.

And it is all to my clients’ benefit.

Banker, Auditor, Copywriter, are just the three most obvious and valuable ones. Having started my career as a translator rather late in life means that the knowledge I have gathered in my previous job contributes to the solid foundation of my services as a freelance translator.

Ranking high among my peers, having a rock-solid reputation, and being sought-after for advice even beyond my own division not only fill me with a certain pride but also empowered me to opt for a freelance career.

I offer extensive knowledge only an all-rounder can provide in a world that grows ever more specialized – the pros and cons of which I will not discuss here. It is this in-depth, first-hand knowledge that sets human translation apart from the quick and often dirty results AI provides. If any potential client simply desires to comprehend the essence of a text, the utilization of these tools is acceptable. If they desire a reliable solution, they will be appreciative of the expenditures.

The notion of providing services without charge always entails a cost, whether it be the loss of privacy, the disclosure of confidential information, or the lack of individuality that results in heightened expenses in one manner or another.

In a world that grows ever more specialized – the pros and cons of which I will not discuss here – I offer extensive knowledge only an all-rounder can provide. It is this in-depth, first-hand knowledge that sets human translation apart from the quick and, sadly, often dirty results AI provides. If any (potential) client just wants to get the gist of a text, the use of these tools is just fine. If they, however, want something reliable, they will appreciate the expenses. “Free of charge” always comes at a cost, whether it’s the loss of privacy, the sharing of business secrets, or the lack of individuality that leads to increased costs in one way or another.

About Verena Zipperer

Internal Auditor @ LBBW / Freelance Translator (Eng-Ger) @ freelance / Reviewer, MCIL

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *