Returning to translation, symptoms of

Even thought my official return to the job will not be for several weeks, my organism has decided to switch back into translator mode.

In other words, my back hurts as hell, my eyes are sore and charmingly bloodshot, and my head is being pounded by a thousand John Bonzo Bonhams on speed.

Welcome back.

The Inevitable Conclusion

As stated above, I'm returning to my profession. The circle is now complete and the inevitable conclusion is as follows:

Once a translator, always a translator.

Sounds a bit Narnian to me, but then again, translators do operate on the border of two or more different worlds.

Out of curiosity, is there anyone actually reading this?

Return of the prodigal son

I have tried not being a translator.

Didn't work.

So as of the middle of February, I'm back in business. Or rather, starting my own. What awaits me is a gargantuan pile of paperwork, close-call skirmishes with bureaucracy and the ever-growing, ever-thirsty Charybdis of taxation.

And you know what?

I already can't wait.

On becoming something else

Due to a number of reasons too dull to be worth mentioning here I 've recently found myself pondering on my future. Particularly my future as a translator. To make my ponderings somewhat organized, I've prepared a list. Here goes:

Why continue translating:

1. I'm not good at anything else. Actually, I'm not very good at that too but at least it's familiar.
2. The crisis is still out there which means that drastic career changes are probably not a very good idea at the moment.
3. Despite all the nights and weekends lost to the job, it still feels pretty cool to see your translation on a bookshelf.
4. I don't think I would be able to become a regular nine-to-five-behind-the-desk kind of employee.

Why abandon translation and pursue something else:

1. Money.
2. Having nights and weekends off.
3. Money.
4. Leaving work at 5 PM on Friday and starting to think about it again on my way back on Monday morning. Yes, I know this is redundant to item 2. Still, it's important.
5. Having some firm ground beneath my feet, understood as permanent employment.
6. Have I already mentioned money?

I'll have to think about it.

On translator's integrity

A few posts ago I made a declaration that if somebody was ever to ask me to translate one more Footprint guide, I would tear their heart out and eat it.

Well, I didn't.

Circumstances aside, I once again proved to myself that integrity is not a preferable trait of character in this profession. Even though I still consider translating Footprint guides as a premature damnation for the sins of my youth, I realized that a good translator (understood as a translator able to make a living off translation without the need of taking side jobs such as distributing leaflets or robbing liquor stores) cannot afford too much integrity. In other words, the sole principle a translator should abide by is the lack thereof. You are offered a text to translate, you accept it. And any time you feel like making statements about what you will and will not translate in the future, remember this simple truth: there are dozens of people who would love to take over your job. Their quality may be lower, their efficiency not even close to yours... but they don't bitch about the job. So this is my message to myself: shut up and do your work. And stop deluding yourself that you're something more than a muscle (or head) for hire.

Here's a little something to illustrate the point:

On CAT Tools

Recently I've been forced to learn the use of a certain CAT tool, namely Wordfast. Reason: all the competition is already using CATs, so we must catch up. Right. So I got properly (snigger) trained in the ways of the Wordfast and told to immediately commence aligning Translation Memories, compiling glossaries, etc.

And you know what? I actually enjoy it.

I've always been rather sceptical about translation-facilitating tools, seeing them as yet another obstacle to overcome. I thought to myself, what the fuck do I need Trados or Wordfast for? I'm perfectly fit with my C-workset: coffee, computer, cigarettes. I don't need any software. Software is for loosers. Real men use nothing but word processors.

So my point is, I've been proven wrong. Again. Working with a CAT that automatically translates all the iterative vocabulary and phrases, even whole paragraphs (and trust me, you learn to appreciate that when you translate agreements and contracts) greatly improves your efficiency. So you can work faster and process more text. Much more text. In fact, whole tons of text. Which basically returns you to the starting point, i.e. considering rest as a rare privilege.

Still, I enjoy it. For now.

Currently on my working playlist:
The Stills "Oceans Will Rise"
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness "Fear Is On Our Side"
N.E.R.D. "Seeing Sounds"
The Subways "Young For Eternity"

Update

Nothing new to report. Apart maybe from marriage, landing a permanent job and becoming a respectable, responsible member of society.

Phew.

Currently translating: Robin Gauldie "Amsterdam: History, Mystery, Walks". It's short, it's well-written, it's not all about coffee shops and Red Light District. I am a happy, happy translator, yes I am.