Expending client base in interpretation and translation
services: Have you ever thought of working w
Networking with another professionals and companies is the key
to grow freelance translation or interpretation business sector.
It is also very challenging to develop steady cooperation with
perspective clients since the market is overwhelmed with any
type of translation services. However, if one possesses
creativity, and knows which domains are demanding, and less
competitive, he or she may find networking and self-promotion
easier to conduct. By brainstorming an interpreter or a
translator may discover, for instance that a Speech- Language
Pathologist will need his or her services.
What does a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) do? SLP evaluates,
diagnoses and treats individuals who exhibit speech, language,
voice, fluency, and swallowing disorders. Now, you may wonder
why this professional needs your interpretation or translation
services. SLP who works in culturally diverse areas such as
Australia, Canada or United States (USA), he/she finds working
face-to-face with an interpreter necessary. For instance,
according to the U.S. Census Bureau there are approximately 50
million people in the USA who speak a language other then
English at home. (American Community Survey, 2002). In Los
Angeles, one of the most diverse cities in the USA there are 150
languages spoken in public schools, and many cultural
communities such as: African American, Armenian, Chinese,
Korean, Polish, Russian and other. When working in US public
schools, SLP is required by the law (Special Education
Legislation) to conduct assessment in student's native language.
That's when an interpreter or a translator plays an important
role. An interpreter can be involved in many different tasks
such as participating in process of evaluation, diagnosis and
treatment when collaborating with SLP. One of the
responsibilities is to translate spoken words from one language
to another when SLP performs the standardized or
non-standardized testing, and gives instructions to a patient.
In addition, an interpreter will be involved in some type of
analysis that will help SLP to distinguish between language
difference and language disorder. An interpreter therefore, will
not only interpret words but also pay close attention to the
production of sounds, language competence such as grammar,
pragmatics of given culture and cognitive behavior of a patient.
An interpreter will help SLP to determine if a mother tongue of
a client is deviant, and if the "errors" that occur in second
language are due to interference of first language. Moreover, an
interpreter will be needed during an interview when SLP collects
background information from a client such as medical,
developmental history, speech/language acquisition history, and
family and social history. Furthermore, an interpreter may be
needed during treatment when SLP or a client decides that
therapy in native language is necessary and beneficial. A
translator may offer his/ her services to SLP since the
questionnaire forms, consent forms, evaluation, diagnosis,
treatment and progress reports should also be presented in
native language of a client who may not be able to read in his
second language. How can I network with those professionals?
First of all find places that are cultural and linguistically
diverse. Promote your services by contacting or even visiting
public schools, private practices that offer speech/language
therapy, hospitals, local clinics, rehabilitation centers,
nursing care facilities, colleges and universities, state and
local health departments, state and federal government agencies,
home health agencies. Also, visit ASHA (American Speech Hearing
Association) website.