The Linguist

@CIOL_Linguists SPRING 2023 The Linguist 29 OPINION & COMMENT get established. Revisers must spot errors and suggest improvements but less experienced revisers tend to make too many edits, maybe trying to demonstrate their worth. The best ones know when to hold back, and are decisive about errors and inconsistencies. It's not just an eye for detail that's required; they also need to be experts at following protocols and style guides. This is a very marketable skill, and it's easy to prove its value by comparing versions. If you start small and stake your reputation on availability and consistency, this can be bread-and-butter work, or more. Agencies tend to favour revisers they already know, so if you have a long-standing relationship with a particular agency, it is likely they will value your revision skills as much as your translations. But what's the best way to charm agencies and get your best rates? Obvious qualities include always delivering on time, doing your best research and running all possible checks working for agencies Kate Trotman MCIL is Chair of The Linguist Editorial Board and a Legal Project Manager for Questel Language Solutions (morningtrans.com). TL before you submit. I also really like it when a linguist finds ways to communicate their added value. Maybe they have a useful observation, or they've completed the job early and are ready to pick up revisions, or they've submitted a translator's note for a linguistic issue. If they've particularly enjoyed an assignment, it's also great to hear this. Send enough short emails to remind a PM of your reliability and availability without generating a stream of marketing-type blurb. This helps us to differentiate between names on a list, and sometimes that's all it takes to establish the connection that will get you the next job. As so many linguists are freelance, often working from home, we have long felt the importance of networking. But the pandemic really highlighted the importance of social interactions, and the pleasure of spending time with people who work in similar areas. The relaunch of CIOL's London/South East Network couldn't have come at a better time. Our first post-lockdown event was a guided walk to explore the hidden corners of Hampstead Heath, followed by a meal at a nearby restaurant. Our events are mainly cultural – guided tours of historic buildings and visits to exhibitions – but we also organise walks and social events, all with the option of gathering for a drink or meal to chat and network. In 2022, we had guided tours of the theatre at Alexandra Palace and historic Charterhouse in the City, revealing the fascinating history of these very different buildings, which are not generally accessible to the public. We also visited the Africa Fashion exhibition at the V&A and ended the year with festive drinks at the Sky Garden (pictured), London's highest public garden, with fabulous views over the city. I volunteered to take over the network because I had enjoyed the events and networking it offered and wanted them to continue. We now have a small group of volunteer CIOL members who meet informally to plan and organise events, and we would be delighted for more people to get involved. Join our Facebook group for details of future events (cutt.ly/FbLonSEnet) and find out about volunteering at www.ciol.org.uk/ london-and-south-east-network. Get connected GILL BEVINGTON CONSIDERS HOW THE LONDON/SOUTH EAST NETWORK IS HELPING LINGUISTS IN THE AREA TO KEEP IN TOUCH © SHUTTERSTOCK

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