Spanish or French to Portuguese - Which one to chose, having in mind market demands? Autor de la hebra: Vitor Visconti
|
|---|
Hello everyone,
I'm currently working as an English to Br Portuguese translator, mostly in marketing, general and legal fields, and I'm willing to learn a second language (French or Spanish) to work on the same fields. My idea is that this will help me getting more jobs since I'll have more to offer to agencies and clients. I would like to know what are your ideas concerning this point of view, and also, if you have any knowledge/experience on the markets I've mentioned.
... See more Hello everyone,
I'm currently working as an English to Br Portuguese translator, mostly in marketing, general and legal fields, and I'm willing to learn a second language (French or Spanish) to work on the same fields. My idea is that this will help me getting more jobs since I'll have more to offer to agencies and clients. I would like to know what are your ideas concerning this point of view, and also, if you have any knowledge/experience on the markets I've mentioned.
thank you very much. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mark
Local time: 19:28
italiano al inglés
| | French X Spanish | Feb 21, 2014 |
I will say what I think based on my opinion, not in facts cause I really don't know the reality.
I have the impression that there are more translators from Spanish into PT than FR-PT.
So - if my idea is correct you would have many more jobs with you deal with French.
I think the following replies will bring some facts that will clarify what I guess.
Hope it helps.
Cheers!
| | | | Vitor Visconti 
Brasil
Local time: 14:28
inglés al portugués
+ ...
PERSONA QUE INICIÓ LA HEBRA
Thank you guys, I appreciate your comments.
| | |
|
|
|
| Please do know what you are starting! | Feb 21, 2014 |
Learning a whole new language being 'Braseilero'? I don't know where you live, but if you want to learn French ......
I translate, as Dutch citizen, from English, Spanish and German, but it took me years and a lot of studies to master those languages (and thank god I live in Europe).
I also speak French and Portugees, i.e enough to come by when I am there, but to make my profession of it????
So my advice would be: 'every man to his trade'. In other words, d... See more Learning a whole new language being 'Braseilero'? I don't know where you live, but if you want to learn French ......
I translate, as Dutch citizen, from English, Spanish and German, but it took me years and a lot of studies to master those languages (and thank god I live in Europe).
I also speak French and Portugees, i.e enough to come by when I am there, but to make my profession of it????
So my advice would be: 'every man to his trade'. In other words, do what you are good at.
[Edited at 2014-02-21 18:53 GMT]
[Edited at 2014-02-21 18:53 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | ATIL KAYHAN
Turquía
Local time: 20:28
Miembro 2007
turco al inglés
+ ...
| Not the Market Demands | Feb 22, 2014 |
I agree with Robert. I will say pick a language not because of market demands, but because you would really like to do it. If you like to do a language, then chances are that you will be successful at it. Market demands might change in time. Another reason you should go with a language you would like to do. Good luck.
| | | | | I don't mean to discourage you... | Feb 22, 2014 |
Let me start by saying that being Portuguese I don't know what the market demands are in Brazil regarding French and Spanish, but my experience in Europe is that, though I live in a francophone country, I translate more and more from English and less and less from French, Spanish and Italian (my source languages). As the saying goes: o saber não ocupa lugar (for those of you who don't speak Portuguese, it means something like "You can never learn too much"). Best of luck!
| | | | Henry Hinds
Estados Unidos
Local time: 11:28
inglés al español
+ ...
In Memoriam
You say you're willing to LEARN a second language (French or Spanish)? All I can say is that if you are not fluent in those languages already, forget it. There are plenty of people out there who can beat the socks off you. Stick to what you know; trying what you don't know is a discredit to our profession and causes potential clients to not trust us.
| | |
|
|
|
| I also agree | Feb 22, 2014 |
ATIL KAYHAN wrote:
I agree with Robert. I will say pick a language not because of market demands, but because you would really like to do it. If you like to do a language, then chances are that you will be successful at it. Market demands might change in time. Another reason you should go with a language you would like to do. Good luck.
I also concur, kayhan. Success at a language comes first before market demands. With the Internet, the market and market opportunities have increased for the major languages.
| | | | | It makes sense to keep learning! | Feb 22, 2014 |
Henry Hinds wrote:
You say you're willing to LEARN a second language (French or Spanish)? All I can say is that if you are not fluent in those languages already, forget it. There are plenty of people out there who can beat the socks off you. Stick to what you know; trying what you don't know is a discredit to our profession and causes potential clients to not trust us.
I think that learning a third or fourth language from scratch makes total sense for a translator. Of course one should not advertise services in that language after four months of classes, but widening your knowledge and possibilities is a sound long-term strategic decision.
If I had the time, I would start learning Finnish and/or Japanese, but of course I would not dare to offer translation from those languages without a solid knowledge and plenty of free-of-charge experience.
| | | | Vitor Visconti
Brasil
Local time: 14:28
inglés al portugués
+ ...
PERSONA QUE INICIÓ LA HEBRA
Robert, Atil, Tereza, Nnaemeka and Tomás, thank you very much for sharing your experiences and thoughts. I will study hard to learn and become proficient in one of those languages. It will take some time, but I think it will be worthwhile.
best regards.
| | | | Henry Hinds
Estados Unidos
Local time: 11:28
inglés al español
+ ...
In Memoriam | It makes sense to keep learning! | Feb 22, 2014 |
It does make sense, in languages in which you are already proficient. As for others, they are good for widening your horizons but not for translation. The languages you already know go on forever, and if you forget that, you will never be good at anything except as a "Jack of All Trades and Master of None".
| | |
|
|
|
Vitor Visconti
Brasil
Local time: 14:28
inglés al portugués
+ ...
PERSONA QUE INICIÓ LA HEBRA
Thank you Henry, that's very reasonable.
| | | | Terence Noonan (X)
Estados Unidos
Local time: 13:28
alemán al inglés
+ ...
| RE: "Jack of All Trades and Master of None". | Feb 23, 2014 |
Henry,
There are translators out there that translate from languages learned later in life. I started learning German at age 20, in 1997, and have been translating DE-EN for over 10 years now without complaint. I started learning Mandarin Chinese at age 29 and have been steadily building a portfolio in CN-EN since 2010. Some people have a gift for language that doesn't diminish rapidly in the post-adolescent years, as is common with the general population.
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Spanish or French to Portuguese - Which one to chose, having in mind market demands? | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
| | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
