“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.” —Dalai Lama
When I discovered this inspirational quote just a few months ago, it immediately resonated with me, and I posted it on the wall next to my desk. I frequently reread this quote while going about my day-to-day work-related activities, and these poignant words helped me to take the plunge and accept this role as the new editor of the Translation Journal.
If you are a frequent reader of the Translation Journal, you no doubt know of the previous editor, Gabe Bokor. Gabe, the founder of the Translation Journal, is a legend in this industry. Gabe is a true polyglot – in fact, one might call him a hyperpolyglot – fluent in at least eight languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Hungarian, German, Swedish, Russian, and likely others!
The Translation Journal was started over 17 years ago and, except for one brief hiatus this past year, has been published quarterly ever since. That’s a whole lot of publications, and quite impressive! It has evolved into what is now a prestigious international publication with over 19,000 page views each month.
Each issue of the Translation Journal has historically contained 10 to 15 feature articles exploring different aspects of the translation industry: business advice, tools, tips and tricks written by industry experts, and articles dealing specifically with legal, medical, literary, and technical translation. The Translation Journal also has articles addressing many controversial issues facing the translation and interpreting industry today.
The Journal’s contributors include many well-known experts in this community, such as Chris Durban (known for the Fire Ant and Worker Bee articles), Danilo Nogueira, Kelli Semolini, Jost Zetzsche, and Cathy Flick. Some of these contributors have been writing for the Translation Journal since its inception.
The topics covered here are varied, including translation basics, multilingualism, translation theory, ethics, and machine translation. Some articles even provide links to glossaries and useful websites for translators. There are also articles in which translators and interpreters share their stories and firsthand experiences. These pieces, often dealing with how and why people became translators and what they have learned along the way, are my personal favorites.
I am thrilled to be a part of the Translation Journal and am humbled and in awe of the rich history and legacy that precedes me. This is a very special place for translators and interpreters genuinely interested in helping each other succeed. I admit to feeling a bit apprehensive about whether I will prove worthy of this undertaking, but anxieties notwithstanding, I have been handed the baton and am running with it!
Whether you stumbled upon this website through a Google search or deliberately typed in the Translation Journal URL, welcome! I hope you find what you are looking for here, whether it is information about translation and interpreting, resources for translators, online tools, advice for your translation agency, or high-quality articles and dissertations for your reading enjoyment.
We have updated the website with new features, but although there may be a new coat of paint, the foundation of this house still remains intact. I encourage you to look around, to read the articles in the current issue, and also to peruse previous issues. With articles dating back 17 years, you undoubtedly will encounter something of interest – as the saying goes, “Everything old is new again.”
New Features and Benefits
We surveyed translators and interpreters in order to find out what information and features they would like from an online journal, and we have designed this website around the feedback we received. The coming months will bring even more new offerings, but for now, here are a few of our new features:
The Translation Journal forum: Due to overwhelming response, we have established a discussion forum where members can post and answer questions on various topics of interest. Registration is easy and free. I believe this will be a very popular section of the website, as the seeking and sharing of knowledge is so valuable to our community. As of this writing, the Forum is still a blank canvas in need of participants – I hope you will give it a try!
Free e-books: We currently have over 40 free e-books uploaded and available on the website, with over 200 more on the way!
Calendar of events: Perhaps you are you looking to meet up with your colleagues at an upcoming event or participate in professional development course. Check out our new calendar of events to see what’s going on.
Email newsletter: Sign up for a free subscription to the Translation Journal newsletter, and you’ll never miss any of the posted articles or special discounts – they will be delivered straight to your inbox. You will also have access to exclusive offers available only to email subscribers. As an added bonus, when you subscribe, you will receive a free e-book on the top 100 apps.
We have made significant strides, but we still have so much more to do and offer!
Please stay awhile and enjoy the site! I am convinced that the knowledge you find here will make you more productive and successful, both in your career and your personal life. Read the articles, take advantage of the online tools and resources, and come back often, because there is a lot to look forward to here in the coming months: more articles, more free e-books, more event listings – more everything! We would also like to learn about your interests and hear your feedback, so please let us know what would be most useful to you.
As the Dalai Lama said, today is the right day. Take a deep breath, and let’s begin! |
