MoonBaby

I was wondering if anyone has any information on this? A friend of mine is moving to the Valencia area in the next few months and is looking for translation work (preferably not autonomo - I know this is a tall order) or any kind of work involving language skills. She speaks Spanish and French very well, has a degree in languages and one in translation. Obviously work of any type is hard to come by in Spain, but I would be grateful for any advice!

steviedeluxe

I'm one of the more positive posters here, but I'd have to say there is little or no chance of her finding work in this field, at least in the short or medium term.
Even before the web became so powerful, it was difficult for translators to earn a decent living - they generally had to build up contacts and/or specialise in niche sectors. I know someone who's earnt a good living as an English teacher for years - he's tried to get into the translation area, but it's tough. Too many people who need translations make the mistake of using Google translate, or they use cheap resources on the web via the likes of Fiverr
English teaching - it's been in demand despite (or because of) the recession - something that is pointed out by this recent article:
http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-ne...rise-in-spain/
But do you know what? This sector no longer has a bright future; well the lucrative Business English sector is definitely in trouble. Again the web is providing cheaper alternatives (skype and the like) that will entice cost-conscious firms.
Sorry to be so negative - maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way, and others can provide more optimistic solutions.

steviedeluxe

It's funny - I was just thinking of people I know personally in the Valencia area (1 English guy who works in IT at the car complex, 4 Spanish people), and with only one exception, they can speak 3 languages, Spanish, English, and Valenciano. Well, one of them also speaks German!
I suspect the OP's friend will find her skills are not unique in the area at all.

MoonBaby

I know it would be tough going but just to point something out - being able to speak several languages doesn't make you a translator. I know quite a few people who are doing quite well in the translation industry in Spain, but most of them are working INTO Spanish. I really have no idea about the demand for translation into English. I thought there might be a chance of proofreading translations done by non-native English speakers or something like that.

Dick Dasterdly

I have a friend who is a translator by profession but work seems to have almost dried up and what little she last did, the rates of pay were rubbish.

Much better opportunities giving English lessons.
I have another friend in the Valencia area who can hardly manage the demand for private lessons.
There is a lot of dissatisfaction amongst locals about teaching standards in the Spanish schools around here, so many are looking elsewhere, realising their future may lie abroad.
I've been asked myself on a couple of occasions but I don't need it and wouldn't be up to it anyway.

Rosemary

I know a young lady who is a translator and an interpreter in 4 languages yet has had to resort to working in a call centre due to the lack of work.

Rosemary

Domino

translating and proof reading surely require some technical knowledge in the subject being discussed ??
even in English you will find that a legal secretary will not be any good at being a medical secretary - or vice versa.

surely the name of the game is not to restrict yourself but to use the transferrable skills of languages in other fields.
people are becoming very blinkered, only learning the one narrow subject and become reasonably good at that - but at nothing else.

where would we be if Stephenson had just worried about the efficient burning of coal and hadnt thought about steam and harnessing the energy.??

overall i would suggest that if someone was coming to Spain to be a translator without a job purely on the offchance - they would be better of staying in the UK.
Sorry

agoreira

We had a lady from Barcelona here in UK as a teacher, she was an interpreter in Spain but failed to find work. She was working in a sports shop here and giving private Spanish classes, and according to her earning far more than she ever did in Spain when she was working. We use to pay her £30 for an hour and a half, she was loving it Shop work doesn't pay well, but she was more than happy. Well, happy with the money, but it was hardly making use of her qualifications, but that's par for the course now with so many graduates.

JLFS

Most translators I hear of are they can speak Spanish and will go to the Docs and police with you type of thing.

they work in cash and it is very hit and miss, the only advantage is they keep their head above water, and their Spanish does not have to be great, only beter than the person the accompany,

cricketman

My wife has some official translating qualifications and does it from time to time. She works for big companies translating marketing material and official documents

It is OK paid if you are quick. 8c per word or 20-25 euros per hour. And all invoiced and legal

She decided not to go into the expat market because it pays very badly and is a lot of messing around

There are actually very few Spanish people who can speak and translate English to a native level. And most who say they are translators have no qualifications

jackytoo

For official documents you need to be accredited by the Junta so they can put the official stamp on. We had to pay around 40€ for each one-sided A4 in the 1990's even though I could have done it myself.

As someone said having a second language doen't make you a good translator or a language teacher. The best translators, and the highest paid work for the EU.

agoreira

Friend of mine did some for the police, and by her own admission her Spanish is not brilliant, but it was well paid. Spanish fishing boats dock near us and one of the crew was charged with a serious crime and they asked me to translate whilst he was in prison, I told them he needs the best, not me!

jackytoo

I have heard the rate is about £80 per hour in the UK. is it true?

steviedeluxe

My partner does interpreting work in London. The rate varies between 10 and £20 per hour, depending on the agency (although there is often a call-out add on of £8 or £10).

cricketman

Yep each province requires additional exams and creditations

My wife can only do official translation work for Asturias although obviously you can do work for private companies anywhere in the world