Are you a natural speaker of another language? Are you fascinated by the way various cultures express themselves in their own native tongues? Do you find yourself correcting friends and family members about their grammar and usage, perhaps even without realizing it at first?
If so, then you may be well-positioned to launch a career as a linguistic freelancer. Working from home as a linguistic freelancer has many benefits. As an independent contractor, you set your hours and can choose which projects to work on, when to take time off, and how much money you want to make.
In short, launching this type of business is potentially very rewarding. However, there are also challenges associated with being self-employed that many people don’t anticipate until they’ve sunk some serious money into office space or equipment.
What is a freelance translator?
A linguistic freelancer is an independent contractor who works primarily with written content, such as translation, editing, and proofreading. This term is normally used in the context of the language services industry, and it applies to people who don’t have professional-level qualifications in the languages they use for work.
However, linguistic freelancers are often desirable because they can provide services on a short-term or project-specific basis, rather than committing to a full-time position. Linguistic freelancers primarily use their language skills to work in three fields: translation, interpreting, and localization.
Translation is the process of taking written content in one language and converting it into a different language. This can apply to written works, websites, and even software. It also normally requires the use of specialized software that is designed to help linguists make sure that their work is as accurate as possible. Translation can be used in a wide variety of industries, such as marketing, publishing, and scientific research.
Finding work
As a linguistic freelancer, finding work is one of the most important things that you can do. You will ultimately be judged on your ability to generate revenue, so your top priority should be to find clients who are eager to pay for your services.
To get your business off the ground, you can network with other linguistic freelancers, including those in your area, as well as with translation agencies.
Working with a translation company can be enjoyable and rewarding. This is mainly because they do all of the hard work of finding and keeping clients, which can be time-consuming and challenging in comparison to approaching clients directly.
Local universities and language schools may be potential clients — or they may have departments that can refer work your way.
You can also reach out to businesses and organizations in your area or focus on international companies that may need your services. Local and international organizations that need translation, editing, and interpreting services may have websites that list their requirements and indicate the type of work they are seeking.
The advantages of being a freelance linguist
There are numerous advantages to working as a linguistic freelancer. Chief among these is the fact that you can potentially earn more money than you would in a full-time position, without the associated stress and loss of personal time.
Additionally, if you have a natural skill for languages, being a linguistic freelancer can help you find a unique niche that may be hard to find in other professions. Finally, working as a linguistic freelancer can open up opportunities to work with people of various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
The disadvantages of being a freelance linguist
Of course, there are also potential downsides to working as a linguistic freelancer. For example, the self-employment and time-management challenges that many people struggle with are particularly challenging for linguistic freelancers. You will almost certainly have to invest a significant amount of money upfront in order to have an appropriate setup for language work, such as having the right software, a quiet and distraction-free environment, and office equipment. Additionally, you may have to wait longer for payment from clients, as they might not be paying via a more traditional system like direct deposit. Finally, linguistic freelancers often work with tight deadlines, and they may find that their work hours extend far beyond typical business hours.
How to get started
Once you’ve decided to take the plunge and launch a linguistic freelancing business, there are a few things you should do in order to get started. First, make sure you are properly licensed and certified. Then, build your network and ensure that your name is listed on websites like oDesk and Upwork. Finally, start looking for work and do what you can to generate an income. It will take time before your business becomes profitable, so be patient and focus on quality. Once you’ve started working as a linguistic freelancer, you may realize that you’ve discovered a passion. This is a highly rewarding line of work that allows you to work from home and pursue your linguistic interests at the same time. Whether you’re new to this line of work or a seasoned expert, the tips in this article can help you thrive in your new career.
