Preface

The idea for the Translator’s Guide to the Industry was first conceived on October 19, 2015, when Liisa Laakso-Tammisto, one of this website’s authors, shared her vision in a closed Facebook group for language professionals. This is what she wrote:

“Hear me out, friends. We’ll write a book. Publish it online. It’ll contain advice for people who want to work in the industry, such as how to get commissions and make a living wage. The book would represent a wide variety of authors from translation agencies to translation entrepreneurs and interpreters. How does this sound? And for the record, I’m being completely serious.” 

This opening gambit led to a lively conversation. A shared online document was created, and all willing participants were free to start writing. Texts were edited throughout the winter, and some of the finished ones were presented at the XIV Symposium on Translation and Interpreting Studies in Joensuu on April 15, 2016. Audience feedback from the Symposium was taken into account when revising texts for this website.

The first two chapters of the book were published in September 2016, and another five by September 2017, bringing the current chapter count to seven. The authors have visited universities to spread the word of the Translator’s Guide to the Industry and have arranged role-play workshops. Further collaborative projects are currently underway. In addition to the website, the Translator’s Guide to the Industry has a Facebook page where you can discuss its contents with the authors and other readers, ask questions, give feedback, or suggest topics for upcoming chapters. You can also explore upcoming topics.

Although the website is primarily intended for students of translation and interpreting, newcomers in the industry, and anyone considering entrepreneurship, it may also be useful for those who are already working in the industry.

Happy reading!

The Authors