Speaking of Translation

Surprise, we’re back! Speaking of Translation comes out of retirement only for very special occasions; when our friends and colleagues Madalena and Veronika at Smart Habits for Translators asked us to record a joint episode about hybrid conferences, we couldn’t resist! In this fun conversation, we discuss a topic that many of us are faced with (yet again!) this fall as many of our favorite conferences are going virtual or hybrid. As much as we look forward to returning to fully in-person events, unfortunately, we’re not quite there yet because of the pandemic and travel restrictions. But hybrid conferences aren’t quite the same thing as an in-person event or a virtual event. So, how can attendees and speakers prepare for hybrid conferences? Listen in to hear our thoughts on: What we think will be different when attending a hybrid conference vs. a fully in-person one or a fully virtual one Which smart habits come in handy when preparing to attend a hybrid conference What in-person and virtual attendees should keep in mind when attending a hybrid conference What speakers should be mindful of when they present in a hybrid format What factors we personally take into consideration when planning which conferences to attend next year Download the audio file here.

After 13 (!!) years of regular podcasting, Speaking of Translation is going on hiatus while we pursue some new directions in our professional and personal lives. We’re planning to be back for some special episodes from time to time, and our recent archives will still be here if you miss us! Thanks to all of our listeners for your support over the years, and we’ve recorded a short “pressing pause” episode for you. Direct link to this episode: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/speakingoftranslation/GMT20210620-164524_Recording.mp4

In this episode, Eve and Corinne discuss a favorite topic among translators: books, and what we’re reading: what genres we enjoy, how we make time for reading, how we choose new books, what formats we enjoy and don’t enjoy reading or listening to, how we track what we read, and book recommendations for our listeners! \r\n\n\n\n\nWebsites mentioned in this episode:\r\n\n\n\n\nEve’s Global Reads book club\r\nReal Simple magazine’s best books of 2020, and 2021 \r\nLetterfolk’s Book Passport (“another book in the books”) \r\nBoulder Book Store (our local, independent bookstore!) \r\nLibrairie Gourmande, an all-cookbook bookstore in Paris\r\nPeppercorn, a cooking store that sells cookbooks in Boulder, Colorado\r\nThe Tattered Cover, a large independent bookstore in Denver, Colorado\r\nThe Read Queen bookstore and cafe in Lafayette, Colorado\r\nArticles on the closing of the iconic Paris bookstore Gibert Jeune, in English and in French \r\n\n\n\n\nOur book recommendations (we are deliberately not including links, so that you can purchase them from the outlet of your choice!) \r\n\n\n\n\nTransformations: Harriet and Helena Scott, Colonial Sydney’s Finest Natural History Painters by Vanessa Finney\r\nMemorial Drive: A Daughter’s Memoir by Natasha Trethewey\r\nPersepolis by Marjane Satrapi\r\nMy Life in France by Julia Child\r\nShady Characters: The Secret Life of Punctuation, Symbols, and Other Typographical Marks by Keith Houston\r\nThis Close to Okay: A Novel by Leesa Cross-Smith\r\nIt Would be Night in Caracas by Karina Sainz Borgo\r\nFrench Like Moi: A Midwesterner in Paris by Scott Dominic Carpenter\r\nUltralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career by Scott H. Young\r\nBorn a Crime by Trevor Noah\r\nHumans, by Brandon Stanton\r\nThe Translator, by Nina Schuyler\r\nSay Nothing, by Patrick Radden Keefe\r\nL’Arabe du futur/The Arab of the Future, by Riad Sattouf\r\nWolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, and The Mirror and the Light (Henry VIII trilogy) by Hilary Mantel\r\nA Place of Greater Safety, by Hilary Mantel\r\nIcebound, by Andrea Pitzer\r\nGood Words Fast, by Oliver Dirs\r\nPancakes in Paris, by Craig Carlson\r\nAll the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr \r\n\n\n\n\nListen on the audio player below, or subscribe to Speaking of Translation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. \r\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDownload the audio file here. \r\n

As the coronavirus pandemic drags on, self-care and mental health are increasingly important to us as freelancers, moms, partners, and friends. In this episode, Eve and Corinne discuss: -what self-care means, and why it’s not selfish -tools and strategies we’ve used to stay safe and stay sane during the pandemic -self-care and mental health maintenance techniques we’d recommend to our listeners -what to do if you or someone you care about needs professional mental health help Links mentioned in this episode: -Eve’s Global Reads book club -The fitness tracker apps Corinne uses: Fitbod and My Fitness Pal -A couple of guided meditations to try: Tess Whitehurst’s meditation to clear limiting beliefs, Jeannine McGlade’s Five minute meditations podcast, and Yoga with Adriene’s Seven-minute meditation to start the day -If you or someone you love is having a mental health crisis, you can call (in English or Spanish) the SAMHSA national helpline 24 hours a day:1-800-662-4357 Download the audio file here, and don’t forget that you can subscribe to Speaking of Translation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher!

Thanks to our friends Veronika Demichelis and Madalena Sanchez Zampaulo at Smart Habits for Translators, for asking us to record another joint episode! Our topic this time around is boundaries and sticky situations: How to handle non-paying clients, especially if you know them personally What to do when a dream client wants to work with you…but can only pay a fraction of your normal rate How to respond to rude/unprofessional feedback from an editor What to do when you pour your heart and soul into a translation test…and you fail it How to handle drama and misunderstandings when you volunteer for a professional association How to set boundaries so that stress and negativity don’t affect your self-esteem or your personal life Download the audio file here.

In this episode, Eve and Corinne wrap up 2020 (a truly unforgettable year by any measure!), and look ahead to 2021. We discuss topics such as: Highlight accomplishments of 2020, and what helped us get there Disappointments this year, and how our businesses have been affected by the pandemic How we’ve followed Eve’s motto, “Stay safe and stay sane” in this crazy year What our goals are for 2021 If you’d like to do this along with us, we’d recommend: Reviewing your accomplishments for the year, and identifying what helped you reach those goals Reviewing your disappointments, and identifying how you can do better in the future Identifying ways to stay safe and sane, within the confines of the situation Setting some goals for 2021 Links mentioned in this episode: Eve’s Global Reads book club: free, and now voting on a new book! Training for Translators, Corinne’s online course platform Listen on the audio player below, or download the file by right-clicking here.

Thanks to our awesome friends and colleagues Veronika Demichelis and Madalena Sanchez Zampaulo over at Smart Habits for Translators for this very fun joint episode on handling the holidays as a freelancer! We discuss topics such as: -How we all handle vacations over the winter holidays; and how this very atypical year is the same or different -How to decide whether to work or not work over the holidays -How to take a real vacation without losing clients -How to use the holidays to your advantage, especially if you’re actively looking for work -How to use post-holiday marketing techniques to remind clients you’re back in the office in January -And the dreaded topic: what to give colleagues and clients as a gift! Click the audio player to listen online Right-click the link to download the audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/speakingoftranslation/SoT_holidays.mp3

Eve and Corinne discuss how to make the most of LinkedIn as a freelance translator or interpreter, including: Tips for optimizing your profile (specifically for our industry) How we use LinkedIn in our own businesses Eve’s ongoing use of LinkedIn Premium Corinne’s recent experiment with the LinkedIn Premium free trial Links mentioned in this episode: Eve’s Global Reads book club Eve interviewed by Isabella Massardo for her blog and #SmartReads newsletter See your LI profile as others see it and modify what they see (if you are logged in) Customize your LinkedIn profile URL Miriam Hurley’s article on LinkedIn profiles for translators Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo’s articles on LinkedIn profiles for translators 7 Ways to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile and Gain More Leads These Simple Tweaks to Your LinkedIn Settings Could Help You Get More Translation or Interpreting Work 4 Things You Didn’t Know LinkedIn Could Do for Your T&I Business Article comparing LinkedIn plans Maeva Cifuentes’ article on LinkedIn for freelance translators Canva’s LinkedIn banner templates Corinne’s blog post on the free trial month of LinkedIn Premium Click the audio player link to listen online Making the most of LinkedIn Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Making the most of LinkedIn

Eve, Corinne, freelance translator Karen Tkaczyk, and freelance conference interpreter Alex Gansmeier discuss life as a freelancer during the COVID pandemic, including: -How the pandemic initially affected their businesses in March through May of 2020 -How things are looking now -Is anything going better during the pandemic? Any silver linings? -How to maintain your sanity and your work volume as the pandemic continues over the long term Links mentioned in this episode: -Karen’s professional website -Karen on Twitter -Alex’s professional website -Alex on Twitter –Troublesome Terps, the excellent podcast that Alex co-hosts Click the audio player link to listen online https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/speakingoftranslation/SoT_pandemic_panel.m4a Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Panel discussion: freelancing during the COVID pandemic

Love it or hate it, online networking is the only networking we’ve got (in the US at least) for the foreseeable future. To help you embrace the opportunities that online networking offers, Eve and Corinne discuss topics such as: -Online training, and how to make the most of the increased opportunities we’re seeing during the pandemic -New takes on “legacy” platforms such as LinkedIn -How to follow up with people you meet in online networking or training sessions -How to use video for remote networking purposes -“Moon shot” ideas that just might work during the pandemic Links mentioned in this episode: -The Cambridge Conference Interpretation Course –Nimdzi’s article on planning virtual events -Forbes article: 21 ways to network remotely in B2B -Website for the upcoming ATA61 fully virtual conference Click the audio player link to listen online https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/speakingoftranslation/SoT_online_networking.m4a Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Online networking in the age of COVID

In this episode, Eve and Corinne address the topic of tools; not necessarily CAT tools, but tools of all kinds that help us work more productively and keep us happy. We talk about tool categories such as editing and proofreading, images and image manipulation, incorporating, hiring service providers to work with you, and listening to music (important during a quarantine!). Links mentioned in this episode: Dragon Fly Editorial Copy Editing Checklist: PDF for download at the end of the article PerfectIt editing software ACES (the Society for Editing) Webinars –(free for non-members too, through July 31, 2020) How to set up the Speak feature for Microsoft Office To access Microsoft Read Aloud from Review > Read Aloud on the toolbar in Word or type READ ALOUD in the Search button at the top of the Word interface. TextAloud text to speech tool https://pixabay.comm – royalty free image site https://unsplash.com/ – royalty free image site https://www.pexels.com/ – royalty free image site https://stocksnap.io/ – royalty free image site https://www.canva.com/ – to create your own graphic designs Marion Rhodes’ article on AB5 and company structures http://asana.com – project management tool https://basecamp.com/ – project management tool https://todoist.com/ – power to do list and pm tool https://plan.toggl.com/ – project management tool Wonderboom – Eve’s favorite portable, bluetooth speaker AirShokz bone-conducting headphones–Corinne’s new favorite thing for phone interpreting Click the audio player link to listen online https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/speakingoftranslation/SoT_tools.m4a Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Tools that keep us happy and productive

In this episode, Eve and Corinne address the topic of translation technique, and how to actually do a translation. Thanks very much to our listener Mireille for suggesting the topic for this episode! She e-mailed us and asked, “My question is how to improve your translation in order to make it flowing, instead of literal, where to stick to the text and where to take some liberty? What tips would you give?” We address issues such as: What steps to include in your translation process The tension between staying faithful to the source and wanting the translation to not sound like a translation How to identify typical “sounds like a translation” constructions in your source language Examples of translation technique issues we’ve struggled with How to align your translation technique with the purpose of the translation Click the audio player link to listen online http://traffic.libsyn.com/speakingoftranslation/SoT_technique.m4a Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Speaking of translation technique

Eve, Corinne, and special guest Madalena Sanchez Zampaulo discuss how and why (or why not!) to diversify your freelance business beyond translation. We discuss: -Non-translation lines of work that the three of us have pursued throughout our careers -The pluses and minuses of having multiple business lines -Copywriting as an additional business line -Book publishing as an additional business line -Additional revenue streams that you might want to consider Links mentioned in this episode: –Madalena’s T&I website blueprint course -Eve’s Global Reads Book Club -Corinne’s online courses and master classes Click the audio player link to listen online http://traffic.libsyn.com/speakingoftranslation/SoT_diversification.m4a Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Diversifying your freelance business beyond translation

In this episode, Eve and Corinne interview French to English translator Michèle Hansen about her experiences using client-side conferences as a marketing tool. A self-professed “introvert who hates selling,” Michèle has increased her freelance income by more than $40,000 over the past two years through this strategy. Links mentioned in this episode: -Michèle’s website Global Health Language Services -To be alerted when registration for Eve’s “supercharge your second language skills” challenge group opens, join the Training for Translators mailing list -Upcoming Training for Translators online courses Click the audio player link to listen online http://traffic.libsyn.com/speakingoftranslation/SoT_clientside.m4a Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Client-side conferences as a marketing tool

In this episode, Eve and Corinne discuss volunteering for professional associations and groups, at the local, national, and even international level, including: -The benefits (to you and to the association) of professional volunteering -How to set limits on your professional volunteering/avoiding burnout -How to identify volunteer roles that fit your strengths and your strategic purposes -Choosing different volunteer roles at different phases of your career Click the audio player link to listen online http://traffic.libsyn.com/speakingoftranslation/SoT_volunteering.m4a Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Contracts and service agreements for translators

In this episode, Eve and Corinne discuss contracts and service agreements for freelance translators. Thanks to listener Erin Riddle for suggesting this show topic! If you have a topic you’d like us to discuss, drop us an e-mail at speakingoftranslation@gmail.com. We discuss: When do you need a full written contract for a translation? When is an e-mail OK? How do you specify the terms of use for a translation? What about subcontracting agreements? What terms should be included in a contract? Should you sign indemnification clauses? Links mentioned in this episode: -ATA’s translation services agreement guide and model contract -ATA’s interpreting services agreement guide and model contract -The PEN model contract for book translations Click the audio player link to listen online http://traffic.libsyn.com/speakingoftranslation/SoT_contracts.m4a Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Contracts and service agreements for translators

In this episode, Eve interviews Corinne about her recent milestone–passing the Colorado court interpreter certification exam for French. Eve and Corinne discuss how Corinne prepared for the exam, what resources she used, what the exam consists of, and how she plans to use this credential. Links mentioned in this episode: -Athena Matilsky, interpreter and trainer for French and Spanish -Eve’s book Maintaining Your Second Language, with tips on how to improve your language skills in general -ACEBO, publishers of The Interpreter’s Edge home study course -The National Center for State Courts’ practice exam kits (available in Spanish or English-only) -Judy Jenner’s blog post on passing the Federal court interpreter certification exam –ORCIT, the European Commission-funded self-study course on basic conference interpreting techniques –Speechpool, a repository of speeches for interpreting practice -The Colorado Judicial Branch’s information on how to become a court interpreter in Colorado Click the audio player link to listen online http://traffic.libsyn.com/speakingoftranslation/SoT_court_interpreting.m4a Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Preparing for the state court interpreter certification exam

In this episode, Eve and Corinne interview English to Spanish translator Mercedes Guhl and French to English translator Kate Deimling about translating books: a topic our listeners often ask about. Kate and Mercedes give us their thoughts on: Where to start if you would like to translate books What skills a book translator needs Whether book fairs and other in-person events are valuable for book translators The pluses and minuses of self-publishing your translations of public domain books How to approach the financial aspects of book translation Resources and tips for aspiring book translators Links mentioned in this episode: –Kate’s website -Mercedes’ LinkedIn page (in Spanish) –Mercedes’ blog, about to be reactivated -Kate’s Twitter feed -Susan Bernofsky’s blog Translationista –PEN America’s Heim grants, open to emerging translators -The American Translators Association’s Literary Division webpage –The archive of Source, the ATA Literary Division journal -The American Literary Translators Association’s resources page –Publicar con calidad editorial, a primer on the publishing process, in Spanish –The PEN list of publishers of works in translation Click the audio player link to listen online http://traffic.libsyn.com/speakingoftranslation/SoT_books.m4a Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Translating books: with Kate Deimling and Mercedes Guhl

In this episode, Eve and Corinne interview German<>English translator and certified yoga and Pilates instructor Eva Stabenow. After developing repetitive strain issues from her translation and interpreting work, Eva found relief in Pilates, which led her to pursue a 500-hour certification as a Pilates instructor specializing in prehab and prehab. She now runs Sunroom Pilates, a private studio in the Nashville, Tennessee area, in addition to working as a translator and interpreter (with a lot less pain!). If you’ve attended the ATA conference in recent years, you might recognize Eva as the instructor for the early-morning stretch and move sessions! Eva enlightens us about: -How Pilates helped resolve her own repetitive strain and chronic shoulder pain issues -How to set up a standing desk without spending tons of money -Why you should incorporate “movement snacks” into your work day, even if you exercise outside of the work day -Ideas for movement snacks, even if you can’t stand up or move around (like in an interpreting booth) -Whether ergonomic products like yoga ball chairs and split keyboards are worthwhile Click the audio player link to listen online http://traffic.libsyn.com/speakingoftranslation/SoT_Eva.m4a Right-click the link below to download the audio file. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” Staying healthy when you work at a desk all day

In this episode, Eve and Corinne discuss how to learn from and share information with colleagues, in a way that is both helpful and appropriate. How can newbies learn from colleagues without being invasive? What is (and is not) appropriate to ask from colleagues? How can colleagues learn from each other through peer-to-peer professional development sessions? When should you offer to pay someone who gives you advice? And how can experienced colleagues give back to the profession through mentoring? Links mentioned in this episode: -Eve’s book Maintaining Your Second Language -Corinne’s online courses for translators -The ATA mentoring program -The Colorado Translators Association mentoring program –Athena Sky Interpreting Click the audio player link to listen online http://traffic.libsyn.com/speakingoftranslation/colleagues_audio_only.m4a Right-click the link below to download the MP3. Chrome/Firefox: Choose “Save Link As” Internet Explorer: Choose “Save target as” Safari: Choose “Download Linked File” How to learn from colleagues