Volunteering as a translator is not merely a task; it is a noble calling that enriches lives, bridges divides, and paves the way for a more harmonious future.
Why Volunteer as a Translator
Volunteering as a translator is also a great way to gain experience, build your portfolio, and network with other professionals in the field. You want to get better at translating? Volunteer. You want to meet people from different places? Volunteer. You want to feel good about yourself? Volunteer. It’s simple. It’s satisfying. And it’s good for kickstarting your freelance career. Still wondering why you should volunteer as a freelance translator?
Key Qualities of a Successful Translator
A successful translator must possess a mastery of languages. You need to know your languages. You also need to write well. You need to understand cultures. And, you need to be careful about the subtle issues and details many would ignore. That’s how you become a good translator.
Here are some reputable websites where you can volunteer your translation skills and kickstart your freelance career:
Websites for Volunteer Translation
1. Translators without Borders:
Mission:
Translators Without Borders (TWB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing professional translation services to humanitarian and development organizations worldwide. TWB’s mission is to break down communication barriers and empower organizations to achieve their goals by facilitating effective communication.
Types of Projects:
TWB focuses on projects that have a direct impact on people’s lives. They do it by primarily focusing on providing humanitarian and development translation services to its partners. This includes a wide range of materials, such as:
- Medical and healthcare documents: Manuals, guidelines, patient information, and medical research papers.
- Educational materials: Textbooks, lesson plans, and training materials.
- Legal documents: Contracts, legal agreements, and human rights reports.
- Humanitarian aid materials: Emergency response plans, relief efforts, and fundraising appeals.
- Community development materials: Project proposals, reports, and evaluation documents.
- Public health materials: Health campaigns, educational materials, and research papers.
- Disaster relief materials: Emergency response plans, relief efforts, and fundraising appeals.
Requirements:
To volunteer with Translators Without Borders, you must be fluent in at least two languages, have strong writing and editing skills, be committed to TWB’s mission, and have access to a computer and internet connection. Here you can know the specifics about TWB volunteer role.
Application Process:
To apply, visit Join the TWB Community page or register directly to the TWB Platform.
2. Translate for TED:
Mission:
TED Translation is a volunteer-based initiative that aims to make TED Talks accessible to a global audience by providing translations into various languages. Their mission is to break down language barriers and ensure that inspiring ideas can be shared with everyone, regardless of their native language.
Types of Projects:
TED Translation primarily focuses on translating TED Talks into various languages.
Requirements:
TED has different requirements for different linguist roles e.g. translators/transcribers, reviewers, language supervisors, and mentee/mentors. Overall you will need to be good at both the original and the target languages, pass an onboarding quiz, and be familiar with all TED-specific guidelines and best practices.
Application Process:
Get started as a TED translator here.
3. Khan Academy
Mission:
Khan Academy is a non-profit organization that offers free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. Its mission is to provide a free and high-quality education for anyone in the world through its online platform. Khan Academy’s goal is to help learners of all ages and backgrounds achieve their educational goals.
To achieve its mission Khan Academy invites volunteer translators to translate Khan Academy’s educational videos and exercises into multiple languages, enabling learners from diverse backgrounds to benefit from the platform’s high-quality education.
Types of Project:
Khan Academy Translate primarily focuses on translating Khan Academy’s educational videos and exercises into multiple languages. These materials cover a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, science, history, English language arts, computer science, and humanities.
Requirements:
If your language is available, usually you are required to translate in your native language, if the language is available. To learn more it’s translators FAQ page here.
Application Process: Start your application here to join Khan Academy as a volunteer translator.
