If you are looking for ways to make money online and considering online translation as the option you are in the right place.
Online translation is one of the most favored ways to earn side income for bilingual people.
Back in school, I could never understand the concept of learning multiple languages. English was my primary language, and I was comfortable with it.
Being an Indian, I also had to learn Hindi and Urdu. As I wasn’t affluent with both, I used to get frustrated when I scored poorly.
Today, I realize the importance of being bilingual. With the world globalizing being multilingual is increasingly getting important. It’s an asset, especially when you look for online ways to earn money.
Globalization has compelled the local businesses to international markets. More and more businesses are getting online to gain international customers, and so they need online translators to help them achieve this.
Online translation is a good job for anyone who is bilingual, curious, detail-oriented, and a phenomenal writer in their native language, and enough expertise with his second-language.
Now since you know the basics of online translation, let’s dig a little deeper into it.
Skills Required For Online Translation
As an online translator, you need not have hard tech skills or prior work experience, but to start as a beginner takes some preparation.
Here is the list:
- As we discussed earlier, the first and foremost thing is to be fluent in at least two or more languages.
- Some companies prefer a college degree (even if a minor) in a foreign language, but not required.
- If you don’t have a college degree in the language you wish to translate, you will need to show your linguistic skills in other ways such as previous job experience.
- Expert translators don’t rely on word-for-word translations. So go with an approach of understanding the concept and converting the ideas into the language naturally.
- An ability to generate business through networking, marketing, relationships, or excellent customer experience.
- Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills in the primary language.
- A home office space or working space, a primary computer, and high-speed Internet.
- Basic computer skills.
- Basic knowledge of translation-related Softwares at advanced levels.
- Timeliness and ability to meet deadlines.
- Organizational skills.
- Acute attention to detail.
How Much Can You Earn As An Online Translator?
Translation rates vary as there are no standard rates for translation tasks. Tasks can range from translating hundreds of pages of technical or legal documents to small email correspondence or social media.
The amount you make depends on how difficult the translation is, but is always subject to your negotiations.
To generalize, the rates can be $.20 or $.30 per word. Hourly rates can vary from $10 to $100, depending on your speed and abilities.
You can charge much higher rates if you have a professional certification in translation.
Going by the market studies and statistical analysis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics claims the median pay for translators in 2014 was $43,590 per year, which roughly comes to $30 per hour.
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Best Companies For Online Translation
1- Translate.com
Translate.com is the first website that comes to my mind.
The site put companies and online translators together on its platform to fulfill their requirements.
Common tasks include translating blog posts, social media posts, support tickets, emails, newsletters, etc.
They serve tasks on a first-come basis, so you must be on your toes to grab them.
You can work anytime and from anywhere, provided you meet the deadlines.
They pay you via PayPal.
2- One Hour Translation
The company requires you to take an online exam before they make you eligible to apply.
Once they approve your application, you can start your assignments.
They have a One Hour Translation MasterCard which you can use to withdraw your earnings directly to it, anywhere in the world.
Besides, they also offer payments via PayPal and wire transfer.
3- Unbabel
Unbabel offers translation services to companies and individuals.
The content can range from blog posts, product descriptions to customer service, and newsletters translated.
They pay you a per hour rate that about $8 an hour.
4- Rev
With Rev, you mostly translate documents or captions from one language to another.
They pay you per word rate that ranges from $0.05 to $0.07.
On their job board, they also offer transcription and caption jobs.
Your PayPal account can be the payment mode. You can withdraw the amount weekly.
5- Tethras
Tethras provides services to mobile app developers, offering them translations for their apps in different languages.
After signing up as a translator, you will receive notifications of newly available jobs. You can review the job and accept or reject it.
They pay you via PayPal.
6- American High-Tech
This company Florida based and provides transcription to law enforcement agencies and the government.
They mainly look for native English speakers to translate from other languages.
To apply you must be a US citizen or legal resident, living and working in the US.
Besides, they look for certified translators through a state or federal court interpreters program, or other nationally recognized certifying agency.
To verify your credibility, they will run background checks.
7- Lionbridge
Lionbridge claims to be in the translation service for over 40 years. I have found many other companies using their translation platform.
It has 2500 linguists worldwide using the Unify Technology software platform.
To work for Lionbridge, you must apply on their website.
Once approved you can straight away pick your project and become functional.
8- Acclaro
The company provides business translation and localization services in over 60 languages.
The website lists full-time positions around the world, and a comprehensive list of freelance opportunities.
9- TextMaster
TextMaster offers its clients the services of content writing, translating, and proofreading.
You can earn up to ¢15 per word.
They make payments via PayPal once your account balance has reached €50.
10- CSC Translation
CSC claims to offer the best quality of services to its clients.
To apply as a translator, you must submit your resume via email.
If they find you qualified, they will get back to you.
11- LanguageLine Solutions
LanguageLine offers interpreting, translation, and localization services.
You can interpret over the phone, by remote video, or face to face.
It also offers interpreting training for individuals and companies.
12- Pacific Interpreters
This company specializes in healthcare, public safety, government, and business projects.
It also does telephonic, remote video, and on-site interpretation, including the American Sign Language.
You can apply for a translator position on the parent company website, LanguageLine Solutions.
13- Aberdeen Languages Services Ltd
Aberdeen is a Canada-based company and provides business translation services.
Quick and competitive delivery of services is their forte.
They hire freelance translators worldwide. You can apply on their website for translators’ jobs.
14- NetworkOmni
Network Omni hires highly experienced translators as independent contractors.
You must have at least three years of translation experience and a higher education degree.
If you meet the minimum requirements, they will take you through a screening process.
15- GlobaLink Translations Limited
The company specializes in healthcare, including pharmaceutical, medical, psychological, and research translations.
It’s keen to expand the network of translators and translation reviewers.
To apply you can visit their website or even contact them by phone or email.
16- Languages Unlimited, LLC
The company claims to have over 10,000 registered interpreters and offers a range of certified translation services.
To apply, register in the company’s database online.
17- WordExpress
WordExpress offers translations worldwide in over 100 different languages.
Besides offering full-time positions in California, it uses professional interpreters for a variety of tasks, including legal and simultaneous translation.
You can start by emailing a resume to the company.
18- Linguistic Systems Inc.
LSI has over 7000 translators on its panel and specializes in manufacturing, pharmaceutical, publishing, legal, and information technology fields.
It requires a bachelor’s degree plus at least two years of translation experience
The online application includes quick tests for translation between language pairs.
19- SDL
SDL also offers paid translation besides its automated software translation.
The company requires a minimum of two years of freelance translation experience or a one-year in-house translation experience.
If you meet these requirements, you can apply on the website.
20- ProZ
ProZ claims to be the translation industry’s leader.
After signing up, you can browse the available jobs, and offer a bid on any for which you are qualified and interested.
The company also has a paid subscription that maximizes your opportunities for obtaining jobs.
21- Clickworker
Clickworker offers a varied range of services like data entry, copywriting, customer service, and online translation.
The company claims to have over 700,000 click workers available on demand.
To be a Click worker, you need to register and take an assessment.
22- Translation Directory
This is an online job board, which facilitates translators connecting with clients.
Clients include translation agencies and freelance jobs.
23- TRADUguide
TRADUguide is a platform that brings together translators and potential clients.
After signing up, you can browse through a list of jobs and provide a quote.
You get the work if the client hires you.
24- Gengo
This is another good company that gives to several translation jobs.
All you need is to become a member and browse the list of jobs available.
They pay you twice a month.
25- WorldLingo
World Lingo offers free online computer translation services and professional translations.
It classifies translators into two groups, the generalist, and the specialist.
To work for the company, you must have five years of continuous translation experience in a commercial environment.
You also a degree and membership in a professional association.
26- 1-800-translate
This company looks for both freelance translators and on-site interpreters.
You can see a list of job opportunities on their website.
To apply you have to submit a resume along with a cover letter.
27- OneSky
OneSky specializes in the translation of apps, games, and websites.
They are looking for translators, but they have little information about the job.
28- Lingosaur
This is an online translation agency and they undertake translation assignments from all over the world.
After an initial screening and test, you can work for the company.
You have the option to accept or reject any task. After you accept a job, you can download the documents, translate them, and upload the completed work back to the website.
Once the client accepts your work, the company pays you.
29- TranslatorsCafe
TranslatorsCafe is another marketplace for finding translation jobs.
Once you sign up, spend some time looking through the offers that suit you.
If you’re starting out and just looking for experience, this could be the place you must try.
30- VerbalizeIt
VerbalizeIt is another translation agency on this list.
You just sign up, take a test, and if you qualify, The company notifies you of suitable jobs.
They pay you every two weeks, which is useful for lots of translators who might otherwise chase payments.
31- Bureau Works
Bureau Works provides translation services and hires translators regularly.
As you work with them, they extract data from the reviews so they know which jobs best suit you.
32- TheOpenMic
The company is more of a publication platform than a marketplace.
You sign up and create a profile. Clients look through the directory and hire you based on their requirements.
33- Smartling
Smartling is another platform that provides translation services to innovative startups.
You must take a translation test to work with them.
34- Appen
Appen is one of the most famous work-at-home companies which has translator positions available in many languages.
They also offer other crowdsourcing tasks and evaluator roles. Prior experience is a must, and there is also a chance for career advancement.
35- CyraCom
This company hires interpreters and translators even from countries other than the US. Signing up is simple, and they require a degree in translation.
36- Transparent Language
This is another company providing language interpretation services to consumers, brands, etc.
They require a minimum of 1 to 2 years of experience in translation and a knowledge of translation software.
37- Verbal Ink
To work for the company, you must register and take a translation test.
Send your resume along with the choice of language. They also do a background check before hiring you.
38- Pactera
Pactera is a crowdsourcing company that has many roles open for translation and transcription.
The recruitment process involves going through a test along with training if you get hired.
Other Place To Get Online Translation jobs
39-Upwork
40- Freelancer
41- Fiverr
42- Guru
43- PeoplePerHour
44- FlexJobs
45- SmartCat
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A Few Tips For Online Translation
So, now you have an extensive list of the best companies for online translation jobs, let us have some tips to make your job hunt easier.
- Start by doing some free (non-commercial) translations. You can do that for NGOs or volunteer organizations. That’s an excellent way to get hands-on and getting feedback on your translations.
- In most translation jobs, a degree isn’t essential, but it’s a big plus. If you decide not to take any course on translation officially, you still need to learn translation techniques.
- Keep practicing, find texts online in the subject-matter you want to specialize in and translate them. Compare them to other official translations and learn how to improve.
- If you can afford it, never hesitate to pay another translator to review your work and get feedback. When you have a small portfolio with positive, you can start applying for translation jobs.
- Create a website or LinkedIn profile. Put every effort to make it look professional. You can impress the clients when you pitch to them.
- Market your skills on Social Media.
- Meet people locally and spreading the word that you’re a translator.
Be A Certified Translator
You will find various training and certification programs online, but the best one I refer to here is the American Translators Association (ATA).
Once you get certified they allow you to use the designation CT (certified translator) after your name.
This provides the potential client with a measure of your worth, and will usually mean that they pay you more.
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Wrapping Up
So, now you know, online translation being can give a great income stream with amazing flexibility.
However, you must realize, professional translation is not something that’s meant for everyone. You just can’t wake up one day and dream to become a translator.
Translation requires that you have the right background and multilingual ability.
It requires that you speak the destination language like a native.
If you are fortunate enough to grow with a second language or have later become bilingual, then there are many opportunities for you to start a full time or part-time online translation career.
That’s it from me. Now, it’s your turn to try these online translation jobs and share your feedback comments.
If you have questions, please feel free to reach out, I am glad to answer your queries!
Best of luck!
