The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-16
WORK OF TRANSLATORS
But FEW PERSONS FIND THE OC-
CUPATION LUCRATIVE.
German and Spanish the Cheapest
Languages COmmerciaIly-Mor
Than Book Lore Needed.
New York Sun.

the export and import trades. AS a result
the translators are usually found in offices
in the shipping district in Pearl and Will
lam streets, and the neighboring localities.
Uptown there are also few translators,
who confine themselves almost exclusively
TO translating foreign plays, legal docu-
ments and matter of a literary character.
They charge fancy prices for their services.
A noticeable feature about the business is
that very few translators are Americans, at
least by birth. Indeed, the greater part of
them are Germans and Spaniards.
Another noteworthy fact is that there are
only very small number of women in the
business.
Although the average translator generally
complains about the smallness of his earn
ings, his pay compares favorably with that
OF other professional men in business for
themselves. The usual rate is % cents
hundred words, and in some cases 80 1-3
cents. But these rates huctuate.
Thus, before the Spanish war translator
in Spanish generally got one-third of a cent
a word but to-day, since a flood of Cuban
and Porto Rican cigarmakers have come to
New York, the price has sunk to the level
Of German translation. which is the lowest
paid on the market seldom fetching more
than 10 cents a hundred words.
Italian translations maintain a fair and
consistent rate, and Dutch and Scandina-
Wan tranlatOrs also command good prices.
OF all none is paid better than the French,
because American business men and manu-
facturers appear to be especially DESTROYS
OF capturing the French market, and
French, Of all the Continental languages, is
the most difficult to translate into.
a few translators. long established and
with notably fine connections, do business
which yields them, on an average $40 day.
There is, however. an element of uncertain
ty in the business. One translator said that
while there were days in which he took in
from $50 to S25, there were others, again, in
which ne didn't see red cent turn.
HARD TO GET ESTABLISHED.
AS in other lines of business it takes time
to establish oneself as a translator-time
and money One translator down on Nassau
street, who started in the business a year
or so ago, sent out in the first three months
more than 5000 letters, cards and an
nouncements to various firms. The cost
of doing this exceeded $125, not including
rent time and labor. In time he succeeded
in getting the customers he needed.
ut may be said that in translating the
start is the great thing, not alone because
competition happens to be keen, but also
because there are many people - smart
people, too, who ought to know better who
>
ice" said a translator. Indeed, there are
many business men whose foreign trade
runs up into the hundred thousands who
persist in considering the translator
luxury and not necessity.
Just look at the newspapers and you
will see plenty of advertisements reading
about as follows: 'Wanted-A correspond
ent and bookkeper VINO writes and READS
Spanish, French and German; salary, SO
yet the firms who have such eXpecta-
tionS are angels compared TO the fellow
q.
business. l was pretty green at the time
and inserted an advertisement stating that
a German, French and Italian translator
desired employment.
THE next day / received a telegram ask
ing me to call at a certain place, the office
of a very prominent export firm. was
ushered into the private office Of the head
of the concern, who asked me if l was a
typewriter and stenographer.
Il replied that l was the latter but not
the former, whereupOn he shook his head,
saying l would hardly do. For he added,
we want a man who can write down on
the typewriter in full i'm German or Span
ish what L dictate in English
THE vocation of translating is divided
into three divisions, TO w.t. commercial,
legal and technical. OF the three that of
technical translating is the hardest and
consequently also the best paid. Thus for
instance, where l would receive $3.50 for
the translation of a business letter of about
one thousand words l would charge at
least $3.50 for a translation of a technical
nature, say, Tor example, a catalogue Illus
trating a piece of complicated machinery.
Nor would this be more than just, for
a man in such case must be Infinitely
careful. must dig through multitudes of
dictionaries. and in all probability would be
obliged to read up a little on the subject
so as to be somewhat familiar with its
character.
MANY THINGS TO KNOW.
"Supposing, for example, manufacturer
wants a catalogue calculating the beauty
of a new American invention translated
into French Now. If the translator knows
nothing about the technique of this par
ticular invention, even assuming him to be
a reasonably good French scholar, the
chances are that he will make a mistake
somewhere which would entail a severe
financial loss to the manufacturer. not to
mention the perhaps more serious loss or
reputation.
Indeed, mere scholarship and mastery OF
language are not the only qualifications Of
d good translator. He should possess in
addition some sort of mercantile training
and smatterinS at least or technical edu-
cation. Without these qualities he Is more
than liable to commit blunders that will
mean in the end ruin TO himself.
Il recOllect one incident which VIII enable
you to realize the truth Of what l have just
said. Some time ago big German export
firm planned to introduce into this country
a new electrical appliance, and, in order 10
the invention properly translated, secured
the services of a Harvard professor.
1.-The professor prepared very literal
and grammatical translation, but it was
absolutely no use to the trade, and the
head of the firm was furious.
- 'Bosh, boshr he exclaimed. We can't
use that literary rot"
so they engaged a professional trans
lator who edited the professors copy. But
even after that the thing didn't read just
right, and the man who finally cleared up
a scholar
fessional man, but a JOurneyman electri-
clan VINO. while knowing nothing OF Ian
guages and grammar knew every feature
of the electrical business.
There are, or course, different grades or
translatOrS. Some are efficient and some
are not; and many big merchant bent
upon saving a few dollars on tranSlations
has ascertained to his sorrow that cheap
translator is dear investment
OF late years the field for the translator
has broadened considerably. one recent and
vertisng agency, with it's clientele of firms
from all over the country, who often have
catalogues translated into every language
from SiameSe TO Icelandic.
Although translators have been drafted
from almost every station in society, the
majority of them were originally drum
mers, and possess a varied and extensive
mer cantile training. Indeed. IL Is a curious
fact that, though translating demands a
gOOdly amount OF linguistic talent as well
as varied educational qualifications, only
the benefit of a college career.
Boston Mechanics.