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André Lisboa

About the Course

The number one Freelance Translation course in the world, now in English.

This course was created by André Lisboa, a Brazilian translator with over 25 years of experience. André is the author of the bestseller 'How to Become a Successful Translator. The course is based on the book, designed for individuals aspiring to enter the translation market and establish themselves as professional freelance translators, subtitlers, proofreaders or in similar areas.

EXTRA RESOURCES:

Read more

About the Course

The number one Freelance Translation course in the world, now in English.

This course was created by André Lisboa, a Brazilian translator with over 25 years of experience. André is the author of the bestseller 'How to Become a Successful Translator. The course is based on the book, designed for individuals aspiring to enter the translation market and establish themselves as professional freelance translators, subtitlers, proofreaders or in similar areas.

EXTRA RESOURCES:

- In this course, you will learn the step-by-step process to become a successful translator and earn a living working for companies worldwide, from the comfort of your home or anywhere you wish.

You will explore the practical aspects and market dynamics of translation, subtitling, proofreading, transcreation, website localization, gaming and app translation, copywriting, and transcription.

Additionally, you'll also get access to a wealth of downloadable resources, including glossaries, books, CV templates, and dictionaries.

What do you need to become a translator? A laptop or PC, fast internet, and proficiency in a second language.

Why should you become a professional translator?

- Opportunity for an excellent monthly income.

- Freedom to set your own schedule and work from anywhere.

- No need for a university degree to work in the field.

- A great alternative for those unemployed or seeking higher income. If you're a language teacher, you can earn much more as a translator.

- Opportunity to work for industry giants like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Netflix, and many others.

- Low investment to enter the profession, with potential for quick returns on your first project.

Course Content:

Explore the practical aspects and market dynamics of translation, subtitling, text revision, transcreation, website localization, gaming and app translation, copywriting, and transcription in this course. Additionally, access a wealth of downloadable resources, including glossaries, books, and dictionaries.

Author Background:

Born in Lages, Santa Catarina, André Lisboa boasts over 25 years of experience as a translator and interpreter. In the latter role, he collaborated with esteemed companies and artists, including singer Glenn Hughes (formerly of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath), Souza Cruz, and Omex.

His professional journey extended into education, where he served as a language teacher and pedagogical coordinator across various language schools. André is committed to continuous improvement, pursuing educational opportunities at institutions such as Pearson, Cambridge, the International Business Management Institute of Berlin, Harvard, and others. Certified in TEFL/TESOL and proficient in English at a C2 level, he crafted his own language teaching method, officially recognized by the Ministry of Education and implemented in municipal schools in SC.

Andre is also the director of Lisboa Translations, excelling in various capacities, including translator, interpreter, copywriter, proofreader, subtitler, web content writer, writer, audio producer, and professional musician. His expertise extends to providing translation and linguistic consulting services to leading global companies, collaborating with over 120 translation agencies worldwide.

Furthermore, he actively contributes to subtitling and voice-over translation projects for major entertainment platforms such as Netflix, Discovery

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to the translation field
Meet the instructor
Requirements, necessary equipment and more
Quiz
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers insights into market dynamics for translation, subtitling, proofreading, transcreation, website localization, and more, which are all essential for a freelance translator
Includes downloadable resources like glossaries, books, and CV templates, which are helpful for those starting their translation career
Taught by an instructor with over 25 years of experience as a translator and interpreter, which can provide valuable real-world insights
Explores MateCat, Trados, and memoQ, which are CAT tools that are older than 2022, so learners should be aware of newer versions
Covers sworn and technical translation, game and mobile app localization, and transcreation, which are all specialized areas within the translation field
Includes podcasts on topics like top-paying languages and errors to avoid, which can offer practical advice and insights for translators

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to professional translation

According to learners, this course is a highly practical and comprehensive guide for those looking to start a career as a freelance translator. Students praise the instructor's extensive experience and clear teaching style, finding the content easy to understand and follow. The course offers a step-by-step approach covering various types of translation services, including subtitling and localization. Learners particularly value the wealth of downloadable resources and the practical demonstrations of CAT tools like MateCat and Trados, which many find essential for getting started. While some mention that continuous learning and self-study are necessary, the course is widely regarded as providing a solid foundation and actionable strategies for finding clients and managing translation projects.
Provides solid base but requires further study.
"This course provides a solid foundation, but you'll need to do more learning on your own."
"It's a great starting point, though continuous self-education is essential for growth."
"I feel ready to take the first steps, but I know there's still much more to master."
"A good introduction, but don't expect to be an expert solely from this."
Content is easy to understand for beginners.
"The explanations are clear and easy to understand, even for someone new to the field."
"I found the language used in the lectures very accessible."
"The course content is well-structured and simple to follow along."
"It's presented in a way that makes sense, even for those with no prior experience."
Explains and demonstrates essential software.
"The tutorials on CAT tools like MateCat and Trados are invaluable for beginners."
"Learning how to use CAT tools was a key takeaway for me."
"The demonstrations of MateCat are particularly clear and easy to follow."
"Understanding CAT tools is crucial, and this course explains them well."
Includes useful downloadable materials.
"The downloadable resources, like glossaries and templates, are incredibly helpful."
"Access to resources such as CV templates and dictionaries is a major plus."
"I found the extra resources provided to be very practical and useful."
"The wealth of resources significantly adds value to the course."
Covers broad range of translation topics.
"The course covers a wide variety of topics, from getting started to using CAT tools and finding work."
"I was impressed by the breadth of services covered, including subtitling, localization, and proofreading."
"It provides a comprehensive overview of the translation industry and different specializations."
"The content is thorough and touches upon many aspects essential for a freelance translator."
Instructor is highly experienced and knowledgeable.
"The instructor is clearly very experienced and shares valuable insights from his career."
"André Lisboa's expertise shines through, making the complex world of translation accessible."
"I learned so much from the instructor's real-world examples and advice."
"His extensive experience in the translation field is evident throughout the course."
Offers clear, actionable steps for starting out.
"This course is a fantastic step-by-step guide for anyone looking to start a career in translation."
"It provides clear, actionable steps on how to get started, find clients, and manage projects."
"I appreciated the practical approach and the detailed steps outlined for different scenarios."
"Everything is laid out in a very simple, step by step way for anyone to follow."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Become a Professional Translator: Step-by-Step Guide with these activities:
Review Basic Grammar Concepts
Strengthen your understanding of grammar rules to improve translation accuracy and fluency.
Browse courses on Grammar
Show steps
  • Review grammar rules.
  • Complete online grammar exercises.
  • Identify and correct grammatical errors in sample texts.
Review 'The Translator's Handbook'
Gain insights into the translation industry and best practices by studying a comprehensive handbook.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read selected chapters on key translation topics.
  • Take notes on important concepts and techniques.
  • Reflect on how to apply the knowledge to your own translation work.
Translation Memory Exercises
Improve your proficiency with translation memory software by completing targeted exercises.
Show steps
  • Import sample texts into a CAT tool.
  • Translate segments using TM matches and MT suggestions.
  • Analyze the quality and efficiency of TM usage.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Translate for a Non-Profit Organization
Gain practical experience and contribute to a worthy cause by volunteering your translation skills.
Show steps
  • Identify a non-profit organization that needs translation services.
  • Offer your translation skills to the organization.
  • Complete translation projects for the organization.
  • Gather feedback on your work.
Attend Translation Industry Webinars
Stay up-to-date on industry trends and connect with other professionals by attending webinars.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant webinars on translation topics.
  • Register and attend the webinars.
  • Take notes and participate in Q&A sessions.
  • Connect with speakers and other attendees on LinkedIn.
Create a Translation Portfolio
Showcase your translation skills and experience by creating a professional portfolio.
Show steps
  • Select your best translation samples.
  • Write compelling descriptions of each project.
  • Design a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate portfolio.
  • Publish your portfolio online.
Read 'Is That a Fish in Your Ear?'
Deepen your understanding of translation theory and cultural nuances by reading an insightful book.
Show steps
  • Read the book and highlight key arguments.
  • Reflect on the author's insights and their relevance to your work.
  • Discuss the book with other translators or language enthusiasts.

Career center

Learners who complete Become a Professional Translator: Step-by-Step Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Freelance Translator
A freelance translator converts written material from one language to another. This course directly aligns with a career as a freelancer, and it is specifically designed for individuals aspiring to become professional freelance translators. With its step-by-step approach to entering the translation market, this course helps you explore the practical aspects and market dynamics of translation. The course curriculum covers translation, subtitling, proofreading, transcreation, and more. It introduces essential resources to help you succeed as a freelance translator, such as glossaries, computer assisted translation tool tutorials, and dictionaries.
Subtitler
A subtitler creates captions for videos, films, and other visual media, ensuring accessibility and understanding for diverse audiences. If you want to become a subtitler, this course is designed for individuals aspiring to enter the translation market and establish themselves as professional freelance subtitlers. The course explores the practical aspects and market dynamics of subtitling while providing access to downloadable resources. In addition, you’ll explore the intricacies of working with platforms like Netflix, as the course mentions experience with subtitling and voice-over translation projects for major entertainment platforms.
Proofreader
A proofreader reviews translated content to identify and correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style, ensuring the final product is polished and accurate. If you want to become a proofreader, this course is designed for individuals aspiring to enter the translation market and establish themselves as professional freelance proofreaders. The course explores the practical aspects and market dynamics of proofreading while providing access to downloadable resources. The course's focus on translation stages and quality reports helps build a foundation in the skills needed to excel as a proofreader.
Localizer
A localizer adapts content to a specific target market, considering cultural nuances, regional dialects, and other factors to make it resonate with the local audience. If you are interested in website, game, or application localization, this course is designed for you. It explores these areas as well as the practical aspects and market dynamics of localization, giving you access to downloadable glossaries and terminology resources. The course defines differences between translation, localization, and transcreation, which helps you learn what is required to succeed as a localizer.
Transcreation Specialist
A transcreation specialist adapts marketing and advertising content across languages and cultures, maintaining the original intent, style, tone, and context to evoke the same emotions in the target audience. This course explores transcreation and the practical aspects and market dynamics of translation. It introduces valuable resources and tutorials, including glossaries of terms, computer assisted translation tools, and more. Because the course also defines the differences between translation, localization, and transcreation, you'll learn what is required to succeed as a transcreation specialist.
Transcriptionist
A transcriptionist listens to audio or video recordings and converts them into written text. This course may be useful if you are looking for work as a transcriptionist. You will explore the practical aspects and market dynamics of transcription. The curriculum also touches on transcription guidelines and provides downloadable resources.
Terminology Manager
A terminology manager is responsible for creating, maintaining, and disseminating consistent terminology across an organization or project, often using specialized software and databases. This course may be useful if you are looking for work as a terminology manager. The course provides an introduction to translation memories and termbases and explores translation and more.
Machine Translation Post Editor
A machine translation post editor reviews and corrects output from machine translation engines to ensure accuracy and fluency. This course may be useful if you are looking for work as a machine translation post editor. The course covers topics and introduces tools that are helpful for editing automatically generated translations. You will explore translation stages and more.
Language Quality Assurance Tester
A language quality assurance tester evaluates translated software, websites, or documentation for linguistic accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and adherence to quality standards. This course may be useful if you are looking for work as a language quality assurance tester. The curriculum touches on quality reports and explores translation and localization. It builds a foundation in the quality assurance skills needed to succeed as a language quality assurance tester.
Copywriter
A copywriter writes persuasive and engaging content for advertising, marketing, and promotional materials. This course may be useful if you want to become a copywriter. You will explore the practical aspects and market dynamics of copywriting. Because the course also introduces translation, you may gain additional insights applicable to copywriting.
Content Writer
A content writer creates informative and engaging written material for websites, blogs, articles, and other online platforms. This course may be useful if you want to become a content writer. You will explore the practical aspects and market dynamics of website content writing. Given that the course also introduces translation, you may gain useful skills.
Project Manager
A project manager oversees translation projects from initiation to completion, coordinating resources, managing timelines, and ensuring quality standards are met. This course may be useful if you want to become a project manager. You will also develop insights into the translation process, which are especially useful for a project manager overseeing translation.
Interpreter
An interpreter conveys spoken messages accurately and fluently between two or more languages in real-time, facilitating communication in various settings. This course may be useful for someone who wants to be an interpreter, as the course creator has an extensive background as an interpreter. The course also introduces translation, subtitling, transcription, and transcreation.
Technical Writer
A technical writer creates clear and concise documentation such as manuals or guides to explain complex technical topics. This course may be useful for someone who wants to be a technical writer. It covers technical translation and explores technical translation websites. The course provides valuable insights into the process of communicating technical information effectively.
Linguist
A linguist studies language, its structure, history, and how it is used, often conducting research and analysis. This course may be useful for someone who wants to be a linguist. You will be acquainted with translation, subtitling, transcription, and transcreation. You will also gain insights into language-related services.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Become a Professional Translator: Step-by-Step Guide.
Explores the theory and practice of translation, examining the challenges and complexities involved in conveying meaning across languages and cultures. It provides a deeper understanding of the translation process and its impact on communication. This book is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference. It provides a broad overview of the field.

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