Elena Kravichenko, English/German to Ukrainian/Russian translator, tells BeWords more about her thoughts on translation.
Dear readers please feel free to react and discuss/comment on this interview (here on the blog)
1. Could you kindly tell us and our readers about your personal and professional background in a few words?
I actually started my translator’s and interpreter’s career path when I was about 15 years old. I used to translate excursions for foreign visitors of our town. I also made different translations for my and parents' friends. Though “formally" I started working as a translator in 2006, when I was already a student of the Translation department in a technical university. Since that time I've been working as a communications manager, technical translator, localization QA and technical writer.
2. Tell us please a bit more about your current professional situation and status. What does it feel to be independent and what are the associated advantages and limits?
Currently I'm an in-house translator. I've also been working as an independent translator, and judging from my experience can say that being independent translator is actually a great feeling, as you realize that you are in charge of yourself, you work the way you like it and the way you think it right, you become more self-organized, as you feel absolute responsibility for yourself. Though what you lack if you are a totally independent freelance translator is a real, not virtual communication and involvement in the real translation life. Of course, many independent translators still visit specialized conferences, participate in translation events. But many of them do not, and I think it is not right, as one stops to develop professionally to some extent.
