The world has gotten better-connected. People from different nationalities and cultures regularly correspond, whether it’s for business, education, or for socializing. There are already apps that translate voice inputs into another language, but they leave much to be desired. That is why there’s a high demand for human translators. Humans will be able to pick up the nuances and meanings that a computer system cannot. A human translator can adapt certain figures of speech or colloquialisms that can’t be translated literally - and this is something computers can’t do either.
I have a mix of South American and Chinese ancestry. While I’ve never visited my homelands, the languages were very much a part of my life growing up. As an adult, I learned that I could use my multilingual background as a professional, home-based translator.
If you’re also looking to find work as a translator, look no further. Below is a list of sites where you can work as a translator. As with any field, there are a lot of scam sites out there. But the ones I’ve listed are pretty legit. I highly recommend you start your journey as a translator with them!
1. Verbal Ink
Website: https://verbalink.com
Verbal Ink works with over 200 languages. Whatever languages you speak, I’m pretty sure there’s a demand for it here. The tasks involve translating and transcribing everything from written documents, audio recordings, videos, and other forms of media. Your translations will have to effectively capture the meaning, syntax, and subtleties of the source material - simply translating the word literally won’t cut it.
To work as a translator for Verbal Ink, you will have to pass a pretty rigorous screening process. This includes passing language- and computer-based tests.
2. SDL
Website: https://www.sdl.com
SDL is a pretty huge company - they operate 55 office in 38 countries. They provide both human- and machine-based translating services. But even with computerized translation, there’s still a pretty big demand for human translators - SDL works with over a thousand independent and in-house translators.
The company focused on some pretty technical fields, such as life science, legal, automotive, and finance. If you have a background in any of those industries, that would be a huge advantage.
3. Argos Multilingual
Website: http://careers.argosmultilingual.com/
Argos Multilingual has a pretty cool name; it sounds like a company you’d read about in a spy thriller. They first opened shop in Poland back in the 1990s, and they’ve since opened offices in the United States.
They currently work with over 2,500 translators, and put a premium on people they call Subject Matter Experts. In addition to translation skills, these Subject Matter Experts have extensive knowledge in highly technical fields such as software, biotechnology, biochemistry, financial and manufacturing.
4. Telelanguage
Website: https://telelanguage.workable.com
Telelanguage is a US-based company that provides multilingual services, including customer service and call center representatives. Their jobs are not home-based, but I felt it was worth including them in this list. On Telelanguage, you’ll have the opportunity to work in-person or phone-based.
Their clients are from the healthcare, insurance, and legal fields, so you need to be able to understand and translate technical terms. It’s not easy (I’ve tried), but if you’re up for the challenge, there might be a rewarding career for you here.
5. Welocalize
Website: https://www.welocalize.com
Like the sites listed above, Welocalize also puts a premium on translators who are comfortable translating documents from technical fields. Notice a trend here? There’s a high demand not just for translators, but translators who can translate documents and files from highly specialized industries such as science, legal, finance, and education.
6. VerbalizeIt
Website: https://www.verbalizeit.com
It’s pretty easy to work as a translator on VerbalizeIt. Tasks are sent to your phone, and once you’re done, your work will be subject to approval and quality check. When it passes muster, you will receive a completion credit (which reminds me of the points you earn on a survey site).
On VerbalizeIt, you can also earn badges the more you work, which opens up higher-paying jobs and incentives.
The Verdict: Legit or Scam?
All these sites are legit ways to begin your career as a translator! If you’re multilingual, I suggest you give these a try!
Your Turn
This review is based on my own experiences working as a translator. Now it’s your turn to share! Have you also worked as a translator? Which sites did you work with, and what languages did you translate?
Let’s hear your stories!
