Justin Bearden, Russian & German to English translator, tells Bewords more about his 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?
Originally born in Oklahoma and raised on a farm, I received a scholarship to study opera at university, but gave it up to study Russian and International Relations. Lived in St. Petersburg, Berlin, and Seoul, received a Master’s degree from Kent State University and worked as a Linguist for Lionbridge Technologies, and a freelance translator from German and Russian in the IT, medical, legal, and oil and gas sectors.
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?
Working as a freelancer for agencies tends to be quite difficult at times for different reasons. Lack of knowledge of the industry or language in general of LSP owners is a growing problem. The lack of a need for quality or professionalism in the industry seems to be growing. Money is the most important, and it seems to be at the cost of quality and critical thinking on how to save costs, rather than paying translators little more per word than a fast food employee.
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