[ArcheM]

...(fiction and maybe non-fiction). Unfortunately, "wouldn't mind" doesn't cut it there because of high competition (as far as I've been able to glean)... Neither in any other translation field really.

...So I got gifted the last Harry Potter book before it officially came out in Russia, in Russian. And I had a friend - fellow fan, who didn't know much (any?) English, and I decided to read it, while translating to him aloud. That was what? 2007? I really didn't speak English as well as needed, but that was a fun and fulfilling experience. Especially under the circumstances of doing it in a village, outdoors, in the summer, with grass and fresh air...

I don't think those factors come into any job description, though.

I guess in the same vein is reading books aloud, where there's also giant competition (not to mention that people are ready to do it for free)...

Of course, my experiences occurred in a close circle of friends and relatives who didn't want to offend me, but to encourage...

Well, back to a soul-draining data entry job.

[bpforever1]

I am planning on doing interpreting and translating too. I think translating is very competitive because there is software that can translate the material to certain extent. Thus, one does not have to be fluent in two languages to translate from one language to another. The software does half the job for you. For example, if you translate from your second language to your native language, all you have to do is edit and proofread mostly. Interpreting is even harder but there is still a market for it. The main thing to obtain jobs is to have connections. Whether you work as an in-house translator or free lance, you have to have the connections to be able to make a living as a translator. Connections are hard to make. I encourage you to go to meetings or join a translators organization to market yourself.

As for me, I am still learning my target language which is Japanese. I am going to see if I can become fluent in the next few months with private lessons. I have already passed the most advanced level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Thus, I just need to push myself to become fluent in the next few months. Then, I plan to take courses in interpreting and translating and see if I can succeed. The schools here in Japan offer jobs to successful graduates. It is such a long haul but this is the path I want to take. I may or may not make it but at this point am extremely motivated to succeed.