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The Savvy Newcomer aims to serve newcomers to the translation and interpreting professions by publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed content on a weekly basis. We strive to provide you with the answers to the many questions you face as a new or aspiring translator or interpreter.

Embracing the Future: Why New Translators and Interpreters Should See AI as an Ally, Not a Threat

By The Savvy Newcomer | February 25, 2026

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries, many translators and interpreters are asking themselves: Is there still a place for me? The answer is a resounding yes, but it comes with an important caveat. The future of translation and interpretation belongs to those who can do what machines cannot, that is, bring cultural competence, empathy, and context to language. At least, thus far. Cultural competence has always been at the heart of effective communication. It enables professionals to interpret meaning beyond words, including humor, idioms, tone, and intention within specific cultural frameworks. While AI can process vast amounts of…

Nine Questions from Language Majors on Their Next Steps to Becoming a Translator or Interpreter

By The Savvy Newcomer | October 4, 2022

If you are a language major considering your next steps, you鈥檝e come to the right place! The translation and interpreting field is growing rapidly, and ATA is the largest association of its kind in the world. Whether you鈥檙e looking to become a successful solopreneur, interpret for the president of the United States, or work at a medical clinic in your…

Savvy Diversification Series 鈥 How I Became a Medical Writer

By The Savvy Newcomer | September 20, 2022

The Savvy Newcomer team has been taking stock of the past year and finding that one key priority for many freelance translators and interpreters has been diversification. Offering multiple services in different sectors or to different clients can help steady us when storms come. Diversification can help us hedge against hard times. With this in mind, we鈥檝e invited a series…

Avoiding Your Biggest R茅sum茅 Mistake – How to Target Your R茅sum茅

By The Savvy Newcomer | September 13, 2022

We send r茅sum茅s out all the time, in response to direct requests and in hopes of getting work. R茅sum茅s (or 鈥淐Vs鈥 for European clients) can be a vexing topic 鈥 but they don鈥檛 have to be. The Basics Let鈥檚 start with what you should include: Your name Your language combination Your contact details Your skills Your relevant experience The technology…

Savvy Diversification Series 鈥 How I Became a Mobile App Localizer

By The Savvy Newcomer | July 26, 2022

The Savvy Newcomer team has been taking stock of the past year and finding that one key priority for many freelance translators and interpreters has been diversification. Offering multiple services in different sectors or to different clients can help steady us when storms come. Diversification can help us hedge against hard times. With this in mind, we鈥檝e invited a series…

Savvy Diversification Series 鈥 Copyediting 101: What It Is, What It’s Not, and Who Needs It

By The Savvy Newcomer | July 12, 2022

The Savvy Newcomer team has been taking stock of the past year and finding that one key priority for many freelance translators and interpreters has been diversification. Offering multiple services in different sectors or to different clients can help steady us when storms come. Diversification can help us hedge against hard times. With this in mind, we鈥檝e invited a series…

The Devil is in the Details: Why You Need to Start Using a Corpus to Localize and Translate Better

By The Savvy Newcomer | June 28, 2022

This post was originally published on Ana Lis Salotti Translations. It is reposted with permission. Do you know what a CORPUS is? Have you ever used a corpus before in your translation career? Have you ever felt stuck with a simple phrase in your source language and can鈥檛 find an equivalent that runs as smoothly as your original? If you…

Healthy Relationships with Translation Agencies and Project Managers

By The Savvy Newcomer | June 7, 2022

This post was originally published on A Translator Thinking Outside the Box. It is reposted with permission. December鈥檚 always been a crazy month for me. Work pours in ahead of the Holiday Season, the house and the pool get more crowded and noisy than usual with my two teenage boys out of school, not to mention preparations for Christmas鈥 Eve,…

Editing Translations: Tips for Cultivating a Collaborative Mindset

By The Savvy Newcomer | May 31, 2022

Most translators I know also work as editors. There seems to be an industry assumption that translators do both by default. This makes sense, of course: the translator-turned-editor knows the source and target languages and is also an excellent reader and writer. However, revising one鈥檚 own work is different from revising someone else鈥檚. And without training or clear expectations for…

Make Yourself Ridiculously Referrable

By The Savvy Newcomer | May 24, 2022

This post was originally published on the 15 Minute Freelancer Podcast. It is republished with permission.听 Tell me, is there any better feeling as a freelancer than getting that little ping in your inbox from someone saying they need someone who provides your services, and they heard from someone else that you were the number one person to ask? I…

Global Talent Networking Session: Acing the Application Process Edition

By The Savvy Newcomer | May 17, 2022

The Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) is planning a series of events for students on soft skills. The second event is May 20th and focuses on interviewing and CV prep. Standout as a Job Candidate Are you ready for a career in the language industry? Students and new professionals are invited to learn how to create a compelling CV and…

Recent Posts

Embracing the Future: Why New Translators and Interpreters Should See AI as an Ally, Not a Threat

Independent Contracting from A to Z: Everything Translators & Interpreters Need to Know

Professional Etiquette to Lower Your Stress and Improve Work-Life Balance

Embracing the Part-Time Paradigm: Empowering Part-Time Professionals to Adopt the Small-Business-Owner Mentality

Cultivating Connection: 8 Tips for Interpreters and Translators to Tackle Loneliness

Keep Track of Your Translation Time

Savvy Diversification Series 鈥 Advice I Wish I Had Followed on How to Become a Medical Translator

A Translator’s Value(s) in a Shifting Market

The Best Google Search Tips for Translators

Conference Countdown: Your Guide to Preparing for Success at ATA64

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