The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
Issue link: https://thelinguist.uberflip.com/i/1077738
FEBRUARY/MARCH The Linguist 31 OPINION & COMMENT I have wanted to be an interpreter since my first English lesson at the age of 10, but after completing my studies in Spain, Russia and England, I started working as a marketing administrator, which was not quite the career I'd imagined. Although I set up as a freelance translator 10 years ago, I still had my eyes on the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI), and in spring 2017, I finally registered for a preparatory course with London Metropolitan University. I enjoyed meeting like-minded students from different backgrounds, but the experience wasn't without its challenges. For six months, I carried my laptop on the 5.40am train to London every Friday to attend the four-hour class, struggling with the on-board wifi to access online materials from both the university and CIOL's members-only web pages. Enlisting colleagues to help with my translation workload, I spent time interpreting YouTube videos and practising role-play interviews with my husband. A visit to a Magistrates Court, arranged by our course Links online JO ROURKE Founder of transcreation and translation company Silver Tongue Translations, Jo Rourke explains how to plan blog content in order to market your business. When it comes to blogging, the key to engagement is consistency. And if you want consistency, you've got to plan your content. Over the years, I've tried every blogging routine out there – monthly posts, weekly posts, daily posts. One thing I've learnt from all these schedules is that posting at least once a month is crucial. I recommend planning one year of blog content in advance. I know: it sounds scary. But do you know the best thing about planning your content for a whole year? The head space it creates. As entrepreneurs, that's essential. Planning and consistency are important for your readers too, so they know what to expect and when to expect it. Content flows naturally when it's to the beat of your business. The first step, therefore, is to look at the next 12 months. Think about holidays (national, international, local), industry events, monthly fixtures (e.g. a Q&A or book review) and guest blogs. If you already blog, hooray! It's easier to plan when you've got a base of posts to analyse. Dive into Google Analytics, Instagram and Pinterest to see what's performing well. Which of your posts have the most shares? Are there any common comments? Have readers suggested topics? If you don't have the stats, don't worry – just use the amazingness that is l'internet to see what's working in your industry. Think about recent trends: can you fill a gap in a competitor's content or cover a topic from a different angle? Are you asked the same questions over and over? Use this information to select a theme each month; choose post types (interviews, reviews, guides); and create a working title per post. Taking the time to plan your posts for 2019 will give you confidence and structure for communicating with your ideal audience, providing value and information they can use. Isn't that worth the effort? Share your thoughts @Linguist_CIOL using #TheLinguist. The successful student © CHRIS CHRISTODOULOU How a preparatory course, and a lot of practice, can help candidates to top marks in the DPSI MARION LAMBERT-NUDING organiser, was particularly helpful, as I gained a valuable insight into the job. The DPSI (Law) exam, which I took at Greenwich University, comprised five units, all in a British law context. As an established translator, I found the translation units relatively straightforward, but the role-plays were nerve-racking. I had to interpret a conversation between a French speaker accused of purchasing magic mushrooms and a British duty solicitor, using both simultaneous and consecutive modes. Now a qualified public service interpreter, I am very aware of the challenges that lie ahead, both for individual interpreters and for the industry as a whole. Being a member of CIOL is a way to stand together against such challenges, and I have upgraded from IoLET Affiliate to full member. Through adhering to industry standards and attending CIOL events, we can discuss ongoing issues and educate clients on what to look for in a good language provider. Marion Lambert-Nuding MCIL won CIOL's Susan Tolman Award and CPD Prize in 2018 for her performance in the DPSI. TL @Linguist_CIOL