English Chinese Translator Interview Part 2: Meet Siaoning, Translator English to ChineseMeet an English Chinese translator. Siaoning, Translator English to Chinese discusses the craft of translation in Part 2 of our interview. Click here to go to Part 1. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find links to more information about translation, including a guide to typical translation prices. (No, I was looking for a free online translation.) Conversation with Siaoning Jhang, Professional Translator English to Chinese
Q: Why is it that no two translators will come up with the same translation for a text?A: Some translators are more experienced in translation or better informed on the topic than others. But also, translators are almost like writers, and each person has a different style. With technical texts, the translations are more likely to be similar. But in the field of the arts and literature, translation results can be radically different between two translators. Q: As a translator, you are highly specialized in the field of art. How did you develop this specialization? A: I was always drawn to the arts. I do translations for both fine arts and performance arts. When I started working, I worked for a fine arts magazine, and the people I came into contact with were mostly artists and performers, and that's how I developed a specialization in art translations. "Translators are almost like writers, and each person has a different style. " - Siaoning Jhang, Professional Translator English to Chinese Q: What are the advantages of hiring a translator who is a specialist in the subject matter? A: If there are a lot of particular terms in the specific field, the translator will be very familiar with the terms and the topic. It would take a lot of energy and time for another translator to familiarize himself with the field, and he still might not be able to accurately express the text and the sense it intends to convey. A translator who is more familiar with the field will do the job more efficiently, and the result will be more in tune with the client's demands. Q: What background information can clients provide to help with the translation process? A: In terms of fine arts, it's always best if clients can provide some of the pictures or examples of the art objects that the text is about background information about the artist. I sometimes also work on film subtitles. It is very helpful if the client can provide a sample of a rough cut. It makes a huge difference in the translation process. Q: In addition to being a translator, you are also a fire dancer. How did you get started with that? A: I ran into a group of fire dancers in a park. A group of friends brought their own instruments, drums, guitars and didgeridoo, to the park and there was a campfire, and the fire dancers were performing. This was at night, under the stars, and I looked at them and thought, this is so beautiful -- I want to learn to do it. After a couple of months, they said to me, "Wow, you're pretty good. You can come perform with us." That's my night job. Return to Part 1 of our conversation with Siaoning Jhang, Professional Translator, English to Chinese See typical English Chinese translator rates. Get advice on how to choose an English Chinese translator. Go to the main English Chinese Translator category page.
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