As the old
saying goes, “If you plan to fail, you fail to plan.” Like any other jobs or
businesses out there, doing something without a plan is like suicide. Resigning
immediately from your previous job and looking for a subtitling job without at
least a basic knowledge or previous experience is the most regretful act that
you have done if ever. Maybe you have thought of this as easy as 1,2,3 because
you have been using subtitles since securing an account from Netflix while
watching your favorite TV show. I’m sorry to tell you this but there is no easy
money out there. Everybody should undergo the process and should never focus on
the results.
If you really
want this and passionate
to do subtitle translations, then you should consider these things:
1. Develop your Love for the language.
As the famous quotation says, “Do
what you love and love what you do.” Seems right isn’t it? If you will be
working on something that you love, surrounded with the people you love, you
won’t be sacrificing for the rest of your life on something that you don’t want
to do. And if it is the case, passion on what you are doing will follow. There
is no other recipe to success than this one which is also applicable to
translation/subtitle translation.
To be able to do what you need to do
in subtitling, you have love the language first, love the work and the process
of doing it. Subtitle translations are
not just direct translations of the audio that comes from the film but it is
also a translation as a whole in the context from the language translated to
the new one.
2. Specialize.
If you want to be great at something,
master at least one skill that you are good at. Focus and know what language
you want to master. Jack of all trades and master of none is not that good at
all unless you are a gifted individual who can handle such capability. Focusing
on one language at first will help you make your job easier, faster and on
point.
3. Level
Up and develop an edge.
If
you really want translating subtitles to be your main source of income, and is
really passionate in doing this not only as a career but a hobby as well, then
maybe you should consider to study translation studies .
Translation studies according to Wikipedia,
is an inter-discipline or combination of different studies in regards to
translation, interpretation and localization. This gives you a theoretical approach
and a good core knowledge of translation, interpretation and localization.
4. Get certified and familiarize yourself on software
used in subtitling.
Certification
definitely is a great boost to you subtitling career. It is like a promotion of
your subtitle translation skills that you have the ability to work as a
professional subtitle translator. Also, if you want to get the job done faster
and with accuracy, familiarize yourself on using subtitling software used by
professionals.
5. Get your On-the-Job-Training and Work
Experience
Apply on local
translation companies near you and learn from the professional themselves to
up-your game in doing translations. Get the good habits done by professionals
and unlearn some bad habits that might affect your performance.
this is how a good subtitle translator can save you
ReplyDelete