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If you just plan on pitching up and trying to pick up work as you go, then your chances are virtually nil. Connections are everything in Ecuador.
The best way to learn is probably to rent a motorbike and generally practice by doing interesting stuff. Im not much good learning in formal classroom situations.
Edited by: Geak
In that case, for the next couple of years at least, and without a lot of hard work and immersion during that period, you've got two hopes: Bob Hope and no hope. Until then, I doubt any potential client would touch any professional translation services of yours with a bargepole, myself included. Your chances are zero or less, putting it bluntly.
Post back on here in two years time with some samples of your work and I'll give you an update. Also, spending time studying Spanish rather than posting these questions, is definitely the first step you need to take, in terms of both your own time management and wasting other people's time on this board.
Can't decide: on Earth to make the numbers up, or troll? Vote below.
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translation work
what are the chances of getting translation work in Ecuador?3
Assuming you are talking about Spanish>English translations, then it depends, if you stay long term and make the connections, there's a fair amount of work around. So if people like you and you have a good reputation you'll generally find work (though probably not enough to live on without a second job).If you just plan on pitching up and trying to pick up work as you go, then your chances are virtually nil. Connections are everything in Ecuador.
7
What have you got in mind? There are sometimes hostels and tour agencies looking for bilingual staff, but it's generally low paid/under the table work. (It's almost impossible to get a proper visa for work like that). For those jobs it's just a question of being in the right place at the right time. There's plenty of English teaching work around, and you can make decent money if you have the right qualifications and experience, or scrape by if you don't.8
thats good to know. Not my long term career plan but could be useful to stretch out the travel budget and get more out of the trip. Im not going to teach English yet though as I feel I should spend more time training to do it. There could also be various work for keep arrangements although it is important to be careful with these.10
Its hard to say. Ive not had much practice recently but can normally get by and explain myself/ understand in most situations. As Im sure youve experianced it depends a lot on the person youre talking to. Written Spanish is a different issue. I can understand most newspaper articles but still use a dictionary for some words and tend to take time reading.The best way to learn is probably to rent a motorbike and generally practice by doing interesting stuff. Im not much good learning in formal classroom situations.
Edited by: Geak
12
So what you're saying is, you're still months away from being even reasonably fluent?In that case, for the next couple of years at least, and without a lot of hard work and immersion during that period, you've got two hopes: Bob Hope and no hope. Until then, I doubt any potential client would touch any professional translation services of yours with a bargepole, myself included. Your chances are zero or less, putting it bluntly.
Post back on here in two years time with some samples of your work and I'll give you an update. Also, spending time studying Spanish rather than posting these questions, is definitely the first step you need to take, in terms of both your own time management and wasting other people's time on this board.
Can't decide: on Earth to make the numbers up, or troll? Vote below.
13
Unfortunately I find myself agreeing with Standanista at this stage because to be a successful and really good translator or interpreter you really should be fluent in the languages involged and you don't really seem to fit that category yet. So take the advice of others and do the necessary studies to qualify.14
I did some work translating advertising signs for a Spanish school in Guatemala. These got excelent results and everyone involved was very satisfied.
