As a freelance translator you are one of the few lucky ones who have a lot of freedom when it comes to when, where and how long to work each day. You are your own boss. You can wear your pajamas at work and have a cup of tea or hot chocolate whenever you feel like it.
A growing number of freelance translators even go a step further.
Most translators have regular clients, work for an agency or pick up work from one of the freelance portals. We download a document, translate it and upload it again. Sometimes we need to clarify some things via e-mail or Skype but that’s it. We do not have to meet clients face to face. Therefore thanks to the internet, we can work remotely from everywhere in the world.
Have you ever worked under a palm tree on the beach with the waves crashing on the shore or in a wooden house in the middle of the jungle, listening to the birds and monkeys?
As long as there is working internet from time to time and juice for your laptop, you can travel the world or live in exotic places. More.
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Germany
Local time: 01:17
Member (2010)
English to German
+ ...
Also, I am not sure if I wanted to do without first world amenities all year-round. I also work with my mobile phone, and fast and reliable wifi and internet are things I absolutely rely on.
But it is anyone's... See more
Also, I am not sure if I wanted to do without first world amenities all year-round. I also work with my mobile phone, and fast and reliable wifi and internet are things I absolutely rely on.
But it is anyone's choice what they do with their lives, of course. So if you feel like nomading, go ahead... ▲ Collapse
Canada
Local time: 19:17
Member (2008)
French to English
+ ...
Why do people always promote working in your pajamas as an ideal to be sought after? Sounds like a recipe for mistakes and unprofessional work.
I find that if I do my work on the beach or in the middle of the woods, disturbed by waves or birds, I get distracted and make mistakes.
United States
German to English
+ ...
I find that if I do my work on the beach or in the middle of the woods, disturbed by waves or birds, I get distracted and make mistakes.
I think we should celebrate the freedom this unusual job gives us. It's frequently boring and frustrating, and I came into it almost by accident, but it's the best decision I ever made. My wife and I travel for about four months a year, and I've been to well over a hundred countries, but I still work full time. You couldn't do that if you were a stockbroker.
A couple of weeks ago I went for a drink with a group of translators, most of whom I hadn't met before. I asked one where he lived, and he gestured vaguely and said "over there". I was very impressed, since we were on one of the most elegant and expensive residential streets in America.
"Where exactly?", I asked.
"See that RV?" he said. "I just drive around all over the country, and when I find a place with a nice view I stop and do some translating."
Spain
Member (2014)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Which basically means that our home is our office, "ni más ni menos".
When I have to travel during the week,... See more
Which basically means that our home is our office, "ni más ni menos".
When I have to travel during the week, I am worried (if you're flying, there is no internet there, and even if there were internet, you cannot work squeezed in a narrow chair without power, dictionaries, screen, etc.).
Palm trees? Oh yes, I have that in Tenerife, but I find I spend most of the business days sitting in from of my computer at my "home office". I just cannot afford going to see volcanos unless I organise a trip on Sunday (and am free).
"I work 40 hours a week...". Come on, you can't say that. Sometimes you work less and sometimes you work more. It depends on projects, deadlines, seasons, your relationship with your customers, you name it.
We do have more freedom as opposed to a, say, office clerk, but it's all about the freedom to select work rather than the freedom to work less (unless you're doing it on the side and not as a full time activity).
Consequently, I only work in hotels, cafés, under palm trees or volcanos very occasionally, most of the time being spent in my home office either in Belgium or in Spain. And from what I know, most of the full time translators do pretty much the same. ▲ Collapse
United States
German to English
+ ...
Come on, people. Our home is our office. we need a large screen or two
Yes, it's called a laptop.
A printer (otherwise, how do you print, sign and scan NDAs and SAs?)
You say to the customer I'm not near a printer right now, please wait a few hours till I am.
You're rarely far from either of these. Computers have batteries, phones have internet.
And what about dictionaries that aren't digital?
I haven't used one of those since 2006.
Italy
English to Italian
+ ...
Come on, people. Our home is our office. we need a large screen or two (you cannot do without it if you are editing a text with reference material), a printer (otherwise, how do you print, sign and scan NDAs and SAs?), constant source of power and fast internet. And what about dictionaries that aren't digital? Do you also carry them about the canyons and volcanos?
Which basically means that our home is our office, "ni más ni menos".
When I have to travel during the week, I am worried (if you're flying, there is no internet there, and even if there were internet, you cannot work squeezed in a narrow chair without power, dictionaries, screen, etc.).
Palm trees? Oh yes, I have that in Tenerife, but I find I spend most of the business days sitting in from of my computer at my "home office". I just cannot afford going to see volcanos unless I organise a trip on Sunday (and am free).
"I work 40 hours a week...". Come on, you can't say that. Sometimes you work less and sometimes you work more. It depends on projects, deadlines, seasons, your relationship with your customers, you name it.
We do have more freedom as opposed to a, say, office clerk, but it's all about the freedom to select work rather than the freedom to work less (unless you're doing it on the side and not as a full time activity).
Consequently, I only work in hotels, cafés, under palm trees or volcanos very occasionally, most of the time being spent in my home office either in Belgium or in Spain. And from what I know, most of the full time translators do pretty much the same.
Canada
Local time: 19:17
Dutch to Slovak
+ ...
I have yet to see a Thai AirBnb (bungalow on the beach for 5 EUR/night, anyone?) that does not offer fast wi-fi connection and is further than a 5 min. walk from a printer.
United States
Local time: 19:17
Member (2002)
Spanish to English
+ ...
... you can do quick, sloppy "translations" with no research, you don't have to stress about quality, deadlines or accuracy, you guarantee yourself a steady stream of work from clients who don't care about what they are buying as long as it's cheap.
Then in 20 years, you realize you have no assets, no savings, no place to live, no job experience...
[Edited at 2016-06-30 21:45 GMT]
Italy
Local time: 01:17
Italian to English
The truth is, we're all different. I prefer to work in my own office, then head out to the park or wherever to relax, rather than miss the two. I know that I could not work on a tropical beach - it's just not me. But I bet there are tons of people out there who can. But it's not a competition - the important thing is finding a lifestyle that suits you personally and professionally.
France
Local time: 01:17
Spanish to French
+ ...
I am a "digital nomad", I like my job and I focus on quality, but I do not criticise other translators because they prefer to work in their office...
I charge fair rates and I even make some savings.
What is wrong with that?
United Arab Emirates
Local time: 03:17
Arabic to German
+ ...
How this accuracy will be achieved, is a combination of individual circumstances and preferences and should not be judged upon.
Whether this happens at the beach or in someone's office is up to each individual. Producing an accurate translation requires more than just sitting in an office. Sitting at the beach does also not mean that a t... See more
How this accuracy will be achieved, is a combination of individual circumstances and preferences and should not be judged upon.
Whether this happens at the beach or in someone's office is up to each individual. Producing an accurate translation requires more than just sitting in an office. Sitting at the beach does also not mean that a translation turns out bad.
Let's agree that everyone is different. ▲ Collapse
United Kingdom
English to Hebrew
Sounds great if you have no other commitments in life. If you have a family to care for, such a lifestyle is not an option.
Not necessarily.
I know a family who travelled around the world for one year. They have 2 children in elementary school and made an arrangement with the school to teach the children while traveling.
Canada
Local time: 19:17
Latvian to English
+ ...
Your story sounds like a fairy tail to me. Being for so many years in translation industry (30+), I have never felt it was a dream job I had. I have cried at computer, yes, when... See more
Your story sounds like a fairy tail to me. Being for so many years in translation industry (30+), I have never felt it was a dream job I had. I have cried at computer, yes, when I was literally passing out and there was a risk of not meeting the deadline.
I also could not work under palm trees.
Even if I could focus on translation while traveling I have never had that well paid jobs. Last 3 years have been a disaster. Well, this is somebody's dream come true, but I have also never met a translator who sees the translation and typing, and wrist cramps (large jobs, short deadlines) as a pure entertainment.
I have never felt too happy being a freelancer either. Realistically, the only freedom one has is being able to accept, decline offers and work during any hours and wherever one chooses. There are no benefits, no sick leaves and vacations paid by the boss, and I personally have experienced a lot of advantage taking. A lot.
Well, enjoy your dreamy life! I certainly cannot share your excitement because there hasn't been any for me. While I like dealing with tricky terms and getting jobs done decently, I am translating to earn whatever money. I work at the desk unfortunately. ▲ Collapse
France
Local time: 01:17
Spanish to French
+ ...
[quote]Inese Poga-Smith wrote:
Well, enjoy your dreamy life!
I never pretended to have a "dreamy life" and I feel sorry for you.
[Edited at 2016-07-04 07:42 GMT]
[Edited at 2016-07-04 07:47 GMT]
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