ATA Savvy Linguist

The Savvy Linguist serves a worldwide community of translators and interpreters who are looking for practical solutions to everyday problems, ideas for growing their business, and support as they achieve their career goals. With high-quality, peer-reviewed content, you will find the answers to the questions you face as an innovative language professional.

Grief: Staying alive and kicking when people are dying around you

By The Savvy Linguist | April 1, 2026

… in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes Ben Franklin, in a letter written in 1789 How can we prepare to get through the storms of life? My mother-in-law, my husband and my mom died in the last six years. While I was deeply saddened by this, I still had to take care of most administrative issues for them and keep looking to the future. I wanted to have work and clients after this was over. As freelancers, our clients disappear when we disappear. How did I keep clients through these crises? Years…

Linguist in the Spotlight – John Milan

By The Savvy Linguist | September 26, 2023

There is much to be learned from our colleagues, but it can be intimidating to strike up a conversation with the “pros.” For that reason, we at Savvy have done the work for you in our Linguist in the Spotlight interview series, where we pick the brains of experienced translators and interpreters and bring their stories right to your screen.…

Understanding Worker Classification: The ABC Test, Misclassification, and Tips for Professionalizing Your Language Services Business

By The Savvy Linguist | September 20, 2023

Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only. Consult a reputable professional for financial, legal, and tax advice related to your situation. Translators, Interpreters, and Worker Classification: Why Now? Translators and interpreters have existed ever since humans have spoken and written. The first recorded proof of language interpretation dates back to Ancient Egypt in 3000 B.C.E. If translators and interpreters…

A Short Guide to Gender Inclusiveness in Italian Translations

By The Savvy Linguist | September 19, 2023

This post was originally published at Mirta Boschetti Traduzioni. It is reposted with permission.  Do you wish for your Italian translations to be up-to-date and without fault when it comes to gender inclusiveness? As you might already be aware, nowadays one of the most discussed issues in communication – and therefore translation – is the use of gender-inclusive language. But while marketing content…

FAQs: Questions I Frequently Ask Clients

By The Savvy Linguist | September 5, 2023

This post was originally published at TAGS-Language Solutions. It is reposted with permission.  Frequently Asked Questions on a website are a great way of addressing any potential doubts without the need for any time-consuming back and forth. But, in my years working as a freelance translator, I’ve found that just as or maybe even more important than the questions that…

10 Lessons From Kitesurfing That Apply to Life and Business

By The Savvy Linguist | August 22, 2023

This post was originally published on Martina Russo’s LinkedIn. It is reposted with permission.  I’ve been learning how to kitesurf recently and these are a few things it’s taught me… 1. When 💩 hits the fan, LEARN TO LET GO… (…of the bar, which is connected to yourself through a harness and to the kite in the air through a…

Moving to Pompeii? What GPT-4 Means for New Translators and Interpreters

By The Savvy Linguist | August 15, 2023

I’m just going to open with it—this article was not written by ChatGPT. It might be the only one on the topic not to close with that twist since the release of the Large Language Model (LLM) in November of last year. We’ve read a lot of speculation in that time, from hype to hysteria. Here, I’d like to look…

How to Make a Better Clientscape

By The Savvy Linguist | August 11, 2023

On our Copyediting-L email group through the University of Indiana, someone asked the following question, which elicited a number of responses: “Does anyone have any general ideas on how to do proper intel and to “screen for pay,” so I’m more strategic in my client hunting?” I’ve been on social media with editors and translators for more than 20 years now, and…

How to Make More Money Fast – the 80/20 Principle for Freelance Translators

By The Savvy Linguist | August 9, 2023

This post is a reblog, originally published on Marketing Tips for Translators. It is reposted with permission from the author. Do You Know the Easiest Way to Make More Money Right Now, With the Least Effort? I often listen to audiobooks through Audible on my phone when walking the dog, exercising or driving in the car. I recently started listening…

Translators – The Importance of Investing in Equipment

By The Savvy Linguist | August 8, 2023

This post was originally published on the FAZT Blog. It is reposted with permission. As professional translators, we often discuss the significant investment required in our field. This includes expenses on training, software, work equipment, association fees, and time spent on day-to-day business management, such as paying taxes, managing social media, and meetings. 📚 However, the misconception that a translator…

Book Review: So You Want to Start a Podcast

By The Savvy Linguist | August 1, 2023

Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned translator or interpreter, you’ve probably spent a lot of time thinking about marketing yourself and making meaningful connections to build a fulfilling career. Social media, LinkedIn, and professional websites have their merits, but there is another avenue that linguists are exploring: podcasting. If you’ve been inspired by the growing number of top-notch podcasts…

Recent Posts

Grief: Staying alive and kicking when people are dying around you

Unlock Your Potential: Join the ATA Mentoring Program

Embracing the Future: Why New Translators and Interpreters Should See AI as an Ally, Not a Threat

A (Former) Boston Local’s List of Things to Check Out Around ATA66

ATA66 Conference Preview: Business Practices Education at ATA66

Independent Contracting from A to Z: Everything Translators & Interpreters Need to Know

Retirement Planning for Freelancers

Professional Etiquette to Lower Your Stress and Improve Work-Life Balance

Translator Profile: Lucy Gunderson, CT

Embracing the Part-Time Paradigm: Empowering Part-Time Professionals to Adopt the Small-Business-Owner Mentality

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