alexpgp | Observations about the business...

Interpretation is one of those businesses where, if you have an inclination for it, you can get in ankle deep before going for the whole immersion treatment. I started my "career" simply by hanging out with some of the new immigrants while I was at college, helping them here and there with ordinary tasks, such as bickering with landlords. Later, I got a job as a local "escort" interpreter for the Hurok organization back in the day when having the Moiseev dance company in the country was a big deal, and there really wasn't much to do.

I suppose you can do the same thing in the translation end of the business, too, but it's harder. Here, tiptoeing means doing translations on your own, and unless you have a specific inclination or interest, or happen to be marvelously disciplined, the result is likely to be haphazard.

In a way, being a paid translator or intepreter is a little like being a public "computer consultant," where your bread and butter consists of a stream of people with predictable problems: hardware and software upgrades, virus and malware scans, and just "making it work." It's one thing when you're just a friend or a neighbor, because ultimately, if things don't work out, you can shrug your shoulders, smile, and be on your way. As a paid performer, though, you've got to get results!

That's the whole deal in about any endeavor: as soon as you land a paying job, you've got a tiger by the tail.

In that regard, the recent French work has been of enormous benefit, and I expect that benefit to repercuss down the road.

Cheers...