The Freelance Era: Evolving Resources in English Turkish Translation
A decade later, my journey in the world of translation took a new turn as I began working as a freelance English Turkish translator. During this period, the landscape of translation tools was still evolving. Paper dictionaries continued to be the primary resource, especially for specialty terms. They were the go-to for any complex or industry-specific language.
If there’s a common misconception about professional English Turkish translators, it’s that we don’t use dictionaries. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We do, in fact, use dictionaries extensively. They are an indispensable part of our toolkit. I mean, sure, we have a word or two in our heads for almost every English word. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The reality is that we often need to consult dictionaries. This is crucial to find the very best word to use in each context. It’s not just about translating words; it’s about conveying meanings, emotions, and nuances. The right choice of words can make all the difference. Hence, dictionaries remain a fundamental resource, even for seasoned translators. They help us refine and perfect our translations, ensuring accuracy and appropriateness in every context.
Enter the Crucial Tools for an English Turkish Translator
Alongside these traditional tools, we had a basic digital aid. It was a dictionary application named MoonStar. This application was particularly useful for quickly looking up common words. It saved us a considerable amount of time on simpler translations. However, for more specialised terms, we still relied heavily on physical dictionaries. These traditional tools had a certain reliability that digital ones hadn’t yet matched.
The advent of online dictionaries marked a significant shift in our work. It was a development that would change how we accessed language resources. The first online dictionary I used was Zargan. While it was a groundbreaking tool, it was not without its flaws. For instance, it incorrectly translated “döner varlıklar” as “revolving assets”. The correct translation is actually current assets or floating assets. Imagine the confusion of a British business executive upon reading this on a balance sheet. This example highlights our challenges and limitations with the early versions of online dictionaries.
Collaboration-based dictionaries, such as Tureng, emerged later on. These platforms were revolutionary. They allowed users to correct mistakes and propose translations. In this evolving landscape, I took an active role. I contributed hundreds of corrections and suggestions. Additionally, I made significant contributions to Proz.com. I provided term bases and glossaries in various subject matters. Some of these extended over 10 thousand words, showcasing a wide range of expertise.
The Rise of CAT Tools in English Turkish Translation
The early 2000s marked the rise of CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools. This period was a significant turning point. I initially used a tool called Dejavu. However, I eventually made a switch. This was to the more dominant Trados. The switch was made despite Trados’s high cost. At that time, its cost was substantial relative to Turkish economic standards (minimum monthly wage was around 150 Euros, Trados cost 800 Euros). Yet, there was a solution at hand. Wordfast, an add-on for Microsoft Word, provided a more affordable alternative. Notably, it was compatible with Trados. This compatibility made Wordfast an attractive option for many translators.
Terminology Management Help for an English Turkish Translator
Terminology management in the early 2000s was quite basic. It was a rudimentary yet essential part of our work. Typically, it involved using a simple text or Excel file. These files served as a basic repository of terms. We would consult these files, which contained between 20 to 100 words. Their purpose was to ensure consistency across various projects.
This approach to terminology management evolved over time. The development of MultiTerm marked a significant advancement. MultiTerm is a companion application for Trados. It significantly streamlined the process of managing terminology. With MultiTerm, the method of handling terms became more sophisticated. Thousands of specialty terms were imported into term banks. This process was a game-changer. It rendered the bulky, physical dictionaries of the 90s obsolete. As a result, we experienced a notable shift in how we accessed and utilized language resources.
