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Necessity of more than one source language in order to set up freelance business?
Thread poster: S_89
Maria S. Loose, LL.M.
Maria S. Loose, LL.M.  Identity Verified
Belgium
Local time: 18:34
German to English
+ ...
Go to Belgium or the Netherlands and do a language course, then take a test Feb 9, 2017

If you can't study Dutch at University level, study German plus a technical subject as a minor, such as economics or law. After your studies, take an intensive language course in Belgium or the Netherlands and take a test to get certified for your level of Dutch. This is how I did it, and I get lots of offers for Dutch even though I didn't study Dutch at Uni. It's better to have one language plus a subject matter and then later learn the second language elsewhere. Don't worry about accommodation... See more
If you can't study Dutch at University level, study German plus a technical subject as a minor, such as economics or law. After your studies, take an intensive language course in Belgium or the Netherlands and take a test to get certified for your level of Dutch. This is how I did it, and I get lots of offers for Dutch even though I didn't study Dutch at Uni. It's better to have one language plus a subject matter and then later learn the second language elsewhere. Don't worry about accommodation in Belgium, there are lots of jobs for English native speakers here. Dutch is a great source language. Lots of work. But most people translating from Dutch didn't learn it in Uni. Also, it's very similar to German. Once you know German really well, you won't have a problem learning Dutch.

One more thing: if you ever want to work for the European Institutions, you need two source languages to pass the competition. Rumor has it that even after Brexit English will be an official language of the European Union. At the moment, it is the language of communication number one and I don't think it's role will diminish after the UK will have left.


[Edited at 2017-02-09 19:28 GMT]

[Edited at 2017-02-09 19:29 GMT]
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S_89
S_89
United Kingdom
TOPIC STARTER
Does this apply to freelance work specifically? Feb 10, 2017

Thanks for all the great replies, they're much appreciated.

I was wondering though, are these also applicable to freelance?

Whilst working for a company in-house, they may require/desire only one source language, but to make income specifically as a freelancer, is one source language enough?

Also, quite a few answers mention the UK specifically, but given the increasingly global nature of translation, is there much Dutch work?


 
Sheila Wilson
Sheila Wilson  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 17:34
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
Almost all ProZ.com members are freelancers Feb 13, 2017

S_89 wrote:
Whilst working for a company in-house, they may require/desire only one source language, but to make income specifically as a freelancer, is one source language enough?

In fact, almost all translators are self-employed nowadays. There is very little in-house work available. The few jobs that are available will be in translation agencies (as proofreaders/PMs mostly), government institutions such as the EU and the UN, and maybe a few companies, but not many. They will all want as many languages as possible, and in both directions. It makes sense as they have invested in a certain amouny of your time per week and want you working flat out. They'll accept less-than-perfect translations if they have to, although the limited subject area normally means in-house translators can cope. OTOH, A freelancer's client has all the world to choose from and is investing in the translation, so he or she expects the best possible one.

I don't know about the Dutch market but I'm sure if you're good you'll find enough work. There's certainly a need for proofreaders in that pair.


 
Michael Wetzel
Michael Wetzel  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 18:34
German to English
Absolutely no need for two languages. Feb 13, 2017

As a freelance translator, there is absolutely no need for another language in addition to a major language like German (not to mention a world language like French or Spanish). I do very well translating in one direction (German > English) within one given field.

This statement may not hold true for smaller languages and, if you plan on interpreting, it would probably be a very good idea to have more than two languages.

As a translator, I would worry much more about fi
... See more
As a freelance translator, there is absolutely no need for another language in addition to a major language like German (not to mention a world language like French or Spanish). I do very well translating in one direction (German > English) within one given field.

This statement may not hold true for smaller languages and, if you plan on interpreting, it would probably be a very good idea to have more than two languages.

As a translator, I would worry much more about finding a convincing area of specialization (knowledge, experience, credentials and contacts) than a second language. Competition is fierce, it's just that two languages doesn't usually seem to offer many actual clients much advantage.

On the other hand, being fluent in German and English, it looks like it would be so easy to develop a very advanced level of reading comprehension in Dutch. Coupled with the fact that there probably actually is a significant number of clients who would love to have someone for both German and Dutch, it might make sense to choose to pursue this combination. (= The fact that is not necessary, does not mean it is never sensible.)

I would think that in-house translating positions are much more likely to demand multiple languages and translating in both directions (as Sheila said, they need to be sure they can always keep you busy).

And there is a ton of demand for translations out of any language into English. Globalization ought to work in your favor. And I don't think that the efforts of a handful of men suffering from poor hairstyling choices can do much to change that any time soon.
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Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 18:34
French to English
I wish I had more than one Feb 13, 2017

As a former PM in an agency, I always preferred translators with more than one source language. For example, we very rarely needed PT-EN but if we did, I had a translator in my database. I knew she was very good in FR-EN and it was quite safe to presume that she would deliver to the same standard in PT-EN.

Also, if you want to seize one of the few opportunities to work as a translator in institutions such as the UN, the EU etc. you'll need at least two.

You already
... See more
As a former PM in an agency, I always preferred translators with more than one source language. For example, we very rarely needed PT-EN but if we did, I had a translator in my database. I knew she was very good in FR-EN and it was quite safe to presume that she would deliver to the same standard in PT-EN.

Also, if you want to seize one of the few opportunities to work as a translator in institutions such as the UN, the EU etc. you'll need at least two.

You already have several languages, if you keep them up by dint of going to live where they are spoken, either to study or work, you will be able to achieve a good level of proficiency (provided of course that you don't just hang out with other native English speakers while there - just remembering an intern I was supposed to train who made precious little progress in French because of that).

Even mundane jobs working in retail for example can be an opportunity to learn something of that line of business. A colleague of mine worked in a shoe shop for a few months and managed to get a job translating for a prestigious footwear trade fair on the strength of it. The previous translator had mixed up her Mary Janes and moccasins, when the client saw the name of the shoe store on her CV, they called immediately.
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Rachel Waddington
Rachel Waddington  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:34
Dutch to English
+ ...
Dutch Feb 13, 2017

Dutch-English is a great combination to have and a great complement to the German-English pair. As you already have some knowledge of Dutch I would definitely recommend pursuing that if you can (as Maria has already said, this doesn't have to be at uni).

As others have said, you also need to be thinking about a specialism - if you can do something like business studies or law as a second subject instead of Italian that has a lot to recommend it. Specialist knowledge will be more o
... See more
Dutch-English is a great combination to have and a great complement to the German-English pair. As you already have some knowledge of Dutch I would definitely recommend pursuing that if you can (as Maria has already said, this doesn't have to be at uni).

As others have said, you also need to be thinking about a specialism - if you can do something like business studies or law as a second subject instead of Italian that has a lot to recommend it. Specialist knowledge will be more of a selling point than a second language.
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Angie Garbarino
Angie Garbarino  Identity Verified
Local time: 18:34
Member (2003)
French to Italian
+ ...
Doesn't matter Feb 13, 2017

S_89 wrote:
I have the option to study is Italian, but the Italian economy isn't doing great at the moment. My only worry is that I wouldn't have another opportunity to go and live in Italy for 6 months, hence why I'm leaning towards German and Italian instead of just studying German.

Any thoughts?


There is a lot of work for Italian, don't worry...

More than one is better imho.


 
S_89
S_89
United Kingdom
TOPIC STARTER
Work for Italian Feb 22, 2017

Angie Garbarino wrote:

S_89 wrote:
I have the option to study is Italian, but the Italian economy isn't doing great at the moment. My only worry is that I wouldn't have another opportunity to go and live in Italy for 6 months, hence why I'm leaning towards German and Italian instead of just studying German.

Any thoughts?


There is a lot of work for Italian, don't worry...

More than one is better imho.


Hi Annie,

Do you sustain a living doing just Italian to English?

I'm very confused because people who translate Italian are saying it's fine but a lot of people are saying that it's a bit risky due to poor economy in Italy but I take it you have first hand experience that it's not? I'd have a huge outlay if I decided to study Italian too, so just wondering if it's worth it in your opinion?

Many thanks!


 
Angie Garbarino
Angie Garbarino  Identity Verified
Local time: 18:34
Member (2003)
French to Italian
+ ...
My advice Feb 24, 2017

If I were you, in your present situation, my choice would be German and Italian (both are not easy languages but at least there is no risk of confusion).

And yes there is work for Italian, despite the bad economy there is.

Good luck!


 
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Necessity of more than one source language in order to set up freelance business?







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