Working as a Volunteer Translator

It’s the weekend again and the end of another slightly chaotic week at work. I’ve been given some more translation work to do so posts may be a little sporadic over the next few days. I have two new language learner interviews to post on the blog, one of which will probably be posted later tonight or tomorrow, and I think it’s high time for another podcast review…so watch this space.

As I may have mentioned, I don’t work as a freelance translator any more due to financial reasons and the desire for (relative) job stability but it certainly is a profession I would love to return to when the conditions are right. All of the translation work I do at present is on a voluntary basis. I may not get paid for doing it but it’s something I enjoy doing and is a great way to keep my Chinese language skills alive. You’d be amazed how quickly you can forget words and characters when you’re not exposed to the language on a daily basis…

I wrote a brief article about volunteer translation work for my translation blog, Kelly Translates, some time ago. I’m currently debating whether to delete that blog or give it a new lease of life by starting from scratch, so I thought I’d post that article here for posterity’s sake. Aspiring translators may find this quite useful.

Translating documents or web pages on a pro bono basis is something that some professional translators enjoy doing and something that other translators feel can be detrimental to the profession. Charities, educational organizations and NGOs often recruit volunteer translators to help them reach a wider audience.

There are numerous reasons for and against offering translation services for free. Aspiring translators and those who are hoping to re-enter the translation market will find that volunteer work will help them build up a portfolio, gain valuable work experience without the pressures of strict deadlines, and may even see it as an opportunity to specialise in a certain area (e.g. environmental issues, medical care in the developing world, rural education). Others, however, see it in a different light. Some believe that the time spend translating for free could be better spent on an assignment that actually pays, while some feel that offering translation services for free would prompt companies to offer work to the lowest bidders and jeopardize the translation market.

As someone who has had to take on job which is unrelated to translation in order to make ends meet, volunteer translation work is a good way for me to hone my translation skills and gain experience in my speciality fields. I intend to re-enter the translation market in the not-too-distant future so it is important for me to keep my skills sharp and prove to my future clients that I can offer quality service. Volunteer work gives me the chance to grow professionally and it allows me the flexibility to fit translation work into my busy schedule.

On a more personal level, volunteer work allows me to combine my translation skills with my hobbies and interests, which makes the whole experience fun and educational. I am currently helping the staff at the Institute of Archaeology (China Academy of Social Sciences) translate staff biographies and news articles in order to flesh out their English-language site. I have a personal interest in Chinese archaeology so this work allows me to learn more about the subject area as well as gain a deeper understanding of the terminology used in this field.

Volunteer translation work isn’t for everyone but I would certainly recommend it as a way for junior translators to learn more about their chosen profession, develop the skills that they will need to succeed as professional translators, and contribute to a good cause. If you are looking for volunteer work, feel free to check out the sites below :

• Ashoka
• China Dialogue
• International Children’s Digital Library
• Kiva
• Translations for Progress
• Translators for Kids
• Translators Without Borders

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