For these bhasha pundits, each and every word means money
Proficiency in multiple regional languages is a sought-after skill, especially in the corporate world, and is attracting talent across disciplines
A decade ago, she started dabbling in
translation assignments to put to use her educational qualifications, which
includes a master’s in English and a post-graduate degree in translation.
Soon, R. Prasanna Lakshmi, now 51, began
getting assignments from Malaysia, the United States of America, United Kingdom
and France to translate material from English to Hindi and Tamil.
“I started translating material online for
flight brochures and announcements, medical questionnaires, etc. I have been
freelancing as a translator for a decade and I work from home,” said the
Kancheepuram-based teacher, who also holds Hindi tuition classes for students.
These days, she is as much in demand for translation skills as her tuition
classes. She earns anywhere between ₹2 and ₹5 per word.
Not long ago, a foreign language skill was
something to flaunt on people’s job profiles, while proficiency in multiple
regional languages was only a matter to brag about to friends and family. Now,
the ability to understand and write content in regional languages is a skill
that is becoming sought after, especially in the corporate world.
There has been a steady rise in the demand
for translators specialising in local languages in the past few years, said
Ravi Kumar, President, Indian Translators Association, New Delhi. “There has
been an average 20% rise year-on-year in demand for translators in Indian
languages, especially so in the last five years,” he said.
Languages in demand
Translators specialising in Hindi, Marathi,
Gujarati, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Punjabi are said to be the most sought
after. Many of those who are registering themselves as translators are
full-time professionals: from lawyers to doctors, and are doing so for reasons
ranging from love for languages to the prospect of additional income.
What is causing this spurt in demand for
translators in regional languages? The boom in online business, the experts
say. “The purchasing power of Indians has increased, so has access to the
Internet. So, companies want to reach out to people in local languages.
Domestic companies also want to invest in search engine optimisation,” said Mr.
Kumar. He also said product-wise, translators for content for mobile
applications in local languages were sought after.
New entrepreneurship
Apart from this, the need for translation of
content for official documents, marketing and promotional material, booklets
and brochures and legal documents is also keeping what is being termed
‘language entrepreneurship’ going full steam.
Ludhiana-based Sandeep Kaur Gill (33) was
always proficient in Punjabi and had studied the language until Class 12.
However, it was when she was teaching English to non-English speaking students
from different nationalities in a university in the United Kingdom that she
realised the utility and monetary gain in being skilled at a second language.
“I started taking up translation work once I
came back to India a few years ago and began working as an English lecturer in
a college. I got my first assignment when someone asked me to translate some
legal papers from English to Punjabi,” she recalled.
Ms. Gill familiarised herself with a software
that allows users to type scripts of different languages using a regular
English-alphabet keyboard. As word of her skill spread, work started pouring in
for Ms. Kaur, who holds a Masters in English; today she even refuses work.
“Yes, it is freelance work, but the time it demands is a lot. The big
assignments will need you to put in around three to four hours each day,” she
said.
Not an easy task
Ms. Lakshmi also said the work was
time-consuming. “Each assignment needs at least two or three days. Between
teaching students and employees at home, it is sometimes difficult to manage,”
she said.
These assignments pay per word, usually
around ₹1 to ₹2. However, this is still only half of what
foreign language translators earn. “This is because to earn a reputation as a
foreign language translator takes time and involves higher levels of
proficiency,” said Mr. Kumar.
So, for those who paid good attention in
their language classes, it’s time to cash in on those skills.
Source | The Hindu | 3 April 2017
Regards
Pralhad
Jadhav
Senior
Manager @ Knowledge Repository
Khaitan & Co
Upcoming Event | MANLIBNET 17th Annual
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