Translators should express an interest in all parts of the process of translation, not just their own role. Maintain a proper home office, complete with a real computer, current versions of word processing software and other business applications, a fax and modem, and a proper printer which produces clean, clear, crisp, quality text and graphics. Learn how to use word processing software and the modern conventions in desktop publishing. Learn the subtle art of telecommunications and modem transmissions. Agencies and clients complain regularly about translators who can t deliver work properly to their email accounts or FTP sites.
Translators have to be able to deliver their work in a timely fashion.
Having a good ISP or corporate Internet and giving translators reasonable access will go a long way to minimizing delivery delays. Translators represent an integral facet of international communication and the emerging global village. They have to be able to talk to each other about what they do and how they do it. Letters are too slow, telephone calls and faxes too expensive. However, on-line, messages and files can be sent and received almost instantly, plus information on virtually any subject imaginable is available for the asking.