Translating Things

Nearly 20% of Americans speak one or more languages other than English. The four most prevalent languages are Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic.

If this is something you can relate to, then translating things as a side hustle can be right up your alley. It’s easy to find work on any of the numerous freelance or translation service websites.

Plus, you can translate from anywhere, at any time, and the pay isn’t too bad either. Combining job flexibility with a good payout is what makes translating a highly sought-after side hustle.

An Overview of Translating Things: A Primer

If you enjoy working with people and have a knack for languages, then why not consider translation as a side hustle? With some experience and the right skills, you can set yourself up for a rewarding career path.

Working as a part-time translator, you’ll be responsible for translating audio recordings, written documents, or live speeches. Though, because it’s only a side hustle, you’ll be required to work less than the standard full-time 40 hours a week.

Yet, the good thing about translating is that it doesn’t matter where or when you do the job. So, if you’re working on your translation project at 2 a.m. in your pajamas.

The important thing is to turn in the work on time and that it meets the client’s approval.

This last part is where things can get a little tricky. Because translators can’t add any creative touches to the work, they need to make sure that the content being translated follows the same outline and context as the original work.

It doesn’t have to follow word-for-word. However, the meaning has to be represented exactly as it’s portrayed in the original language as well as any connotations and implications that could help further illuminate the main idea of the text.

How Much Can Translating Things Earn You?

According to ZipRecruiter, professional translators make an average rate of about $29 per hour, while some can reach as high as $48, depending on the difficulty and length of the translated piece.

Other clients prefer paying translators by the word. According to the American Translators Association, the minimum rate per word averages between $0.15 and $0.18.

This rate depends on a few factors, including the language pair being translated, the turnaround time, and the quality of the translation. In addition, the more industry experience you gain as a bilingual person, the more jobs you’ll be able to get.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Side Hustle Translating Things?

Fortunately, translating doesn’t require a lot of time-consuming qualifications or heavy expenses.

Startup costs will be in the range of $200 and $1,000. The most obvious thing you’ll need to embark on this exciting new career is a laptop, a quality printer, and lightning-fast internet service.

You don’t even need to have a formal office setup; just a quiet place where you can work without any distractions.

Some translators prefer to invest in reference materials like grammar books and dictionaries. Another option is buying quality software that contains translation tools and features. They guarantee that the output provided is authentic, upheld to a high professional standard, and delivered on time.

They can also provide intelligent translation suggestions and boost your knowledge of the translation process as a whole.

Where Can You Find Translating Things Gigs?

Becoming a translator means you need to build a strong online presence to help you gain leads and grow your gig economy job. While it won’t happen overnight, you can start taking the right steps toward having a successful career in translation.

Here are some places where you can find translating jobs.

Where to Independently Find Translating Things Work

Short-term basic translation jobs can be found on various freelancing websites. A couple of the more well-known sites include Babbletype and LanguageLine.

PeoplePerHour is another freelance translation website that pays well. It features hundreds of high-quality translation services, which can help boost your career.

Gig Economy Companies That Offer Translating Things Work

Alternatively, if you want more long-term language-related work, it’s better to register with translation agencies. They’ll be able to provide you with steady work, competitive rates, and 24/7 availability.

One example is Tomedes. This agency offers a wide range of human translation services.

Before you get started, you’ll need to pass the preliminary requirements and test first. After that, you can begin searching for jobs on their extensive database.

Why You Should Consider Translating Things As a Side Hustle

Here are a few benefits of working as a human translator:

• You set your own schedule: Translation can be done anytime, anywhere. It’s not restricted to a specific time of day. You decide when to start and stop working according to your schedule.
• Diverse work environment: Because translation is an essential part of almost every sector, you’ll often find yourself dealing with a broad range of industries. Plus, you’ll get to meet new people with different backgrounds.
• Demand for translators is on the rise: Many businesses are opening up operations overseas and require translators to get them settled in their new locations. Also, people are traveling abroad more than ever, and they need reliable translators to help them make the most of their holiday abroad.

Problems With Translating Things

Check out these possible drawbacks of translating:

• Some consider it to be a stressful job: Because of the pressure often put on translators to provide accurate, high-quality translations, it can cause moderate to high levels of job-related stress.
• May not be ideal for creative types: Translators can never take creative liberties with their work. Plus, depending on your qualifications, you might get offered to translate important or sensitive documents that need to be translated accurately while maintaining an identical context.
• Possible revenue instabilities: One of the biggest translation difficulties is that there’s always the possibility that you won’t find work next month. You could also face the problem that work in your language of specialization won’t be in demand.

Frequently Asked Questions