Poll: Would you recommend any books on freelance translation to beginners? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Would you recommend any books on freelance translation to beginners?".
View the poll results »
| | |
|
neilmac Spain Local time: 08:47 Spanish to English + ...
Confessions of a Freelance Translator by Gary Smith is an excellent practical guide on common sense tips and examples for freelancers starting out. The only other translation manual I have come across and rate is "The Translator's handbook" (with special reference to conference translation from French and Spanish) by Frederik Fuller, which I think was first issued in the 70s, so it might not be as up-to-date as it could be. | | |
The Bookmark ist in German, and is for those living in Germany | Nov 20, 2017 |
Überleben als Übersetzer von Miriam Neidhardt. | |
|
|
Mariana Perussia Argentina Local time: 03:47 Member (2005) Italian to Spanish + ... |
Maria Simmen Germany Local time: 08:47 English to German + ... For German speakers: Handbuch Translation | Nov 20, 2017 |
It was a compulsory buy at my uni, and even though it's a fairly dry read, there's lots of good advice. | | |
|
Alex Bell United Kingdom Local time: 07:47 English Not sure it qualifies as a proper "manual" but... | Nov 20, 2017 |
Mox: Illustrated Guide to Freelance Translation also available at http://mox.ingenierotraductor.com/ I have both volumes and they are just brilliant | |
|
|
Mario Chavez (X) Local time: 02:47 English to Spanish + ... One reason NOT to buy that book | Nov 20, 2017 |
Just the title in Spanish disinvites reading from serious professionals: “traducción freelance” is a clunky and amateurish rendition of “freelance translation.” Not to mention the bad habit of capitalizing every word in English is being transferred to Spanish. Yes, I judge a book by its cover. | | |
Mario Chavez (X) Local time: 02:47 English to Spanish + ... It is difficult... | Nov 20, 2017 |
...to make book recommendations on such general premises. Do youngsters who wish to become astronauts, doctors, political scientists, nutritionists, mechanics and so forth have a similar book out there? The image of children's books pop up in my mind like a Christmas earworm song. Besides, have others noticed the poorly written sentence? I would ask “What kind of books on freelance translation would you recommend to a beginner?” The part recommend any books is not very id... See more ...to make book recommendations on such general premises. Do youngsters who wish to become astronauts, doctors, political scientists, nutritionists, mechanics and so forth have a similar book out there? The image of children's books pop up in my mind like a Christmas earworm song. Besides, have others noticed the poorly written sentence? I would ask “What kind of books on freelance translation would you recommend to a beginner?” The part recommend any books is not very idiomatic in this construction either. I would happily recommend a book on writing to the poll's author. ▲ Collapse | | |
I won a book | Nov 20, 2017 |
from ProZ a couple of years ago (I think it was a raffle kind of thing for renewing my membership) called "The Prosperous Translator", which is a selection from twelve years' of a regular advice column on the translation business by Chris Durban and Eugene Seidel. I found it both revealing and humorous, and would recommend it to anyone thinking about getting into the business, or to any already established freelancer who wants a laugh and some "yeah, I've been there" moments. | | |
Mario Chavez (X) Local time: 02:47 English to Spanish + ... It's a blog compilation | Nov 20, 2017 |
Elizabeth Joy Pitt de Morales wrote: from ProZ a couple of years ago (I think it was a raffle kind of thing for renewing my membership) called "The Prosperous Translator", which is a selection from twelve years' of a regular advice column on the translation business by Chris Durban and Eugene Seidel. I found it both revealing and humorous, and would recommend it to anyone thinking about getting into the business, or to any already established freelancer who wants a laugh and some "yeah, I've been there" moments. It's rather a compilation of blog entries, not a book per se. I'm quite familiar with it because I also have a copy. There are better options out there. | |
|
|
Mario Freitas Brazil Local time: 03:47 Member (2014) English to Portuguese + ...
I could make several useful recommendations for beginners, but books on freelance translation would surely not be among them. I could recommend many other books and, as José Henrique mentioned below, Danilo's blog, which would be a lot more helpful than any book in any shelf. | | |
Kay Denney France Local time: 08:47 French to English
I'd say to read up a few noobs threads here, pay special attention to Sheila's answers and get stuck in. | | |