Global Journal of Human Social Science, G: Linguistics and Education, Volume 23 Issue 8

Translation in turn is divided into three stages: 1. Pre-transfer; 2. Transfer; 3. Post-transfer. Pre-transfer includes all operations leading up to the actual 'translating', including preparation of the material, documentary searches, alignment, memory consolidation, terminology mining, deciding on options, etc. The transfer is the well-known core activity of shifting to another language-culture combination; Post- transfer covers anything that has to be done to meet the quality requirements and criteria before delivery of the translated material. It mostly pertains to quality control and upgrading. It also includes formatting and various preparations for delivery. (Ibid) Indeed, the translator analyses the material, clarifies ambiguities, and retrieves necessary information including dictionaries, memories, templates, and terminology databases. S/he is free to get back to the work provider to ask important questions regarding company terminology and policy documents. Existing publications in both source language and target language are very helpful. It is important to visit the company's website if there is one. It is equally important to relate to a contact person in the company that can provide some useful information on the company's policies, procedures, terminology, and others. Depending on the size and nature of every material, the translator can even train on specific aspects of the work. When the translation is completed, it is imperative to proofread and revise it. At the post-translation stage, the finished translation is validated. Thereafter, it is formatted, integrated, or embedded and set up on a relevant medium. Furthermore, the need to operate and update a translation memory cannot be overemphasized. After delivering the translation, the translator follows up on the payment after issuing a bill. Post-translation covers all activities that follow the delivery of the translated material. These include possible integration of the translated material (as in the simulation of subtitles, layout prior to publishing, integration in a Web site or an international soundtrack, etc.) but also, of course, all the "administrative" business of getting paid, setting up an archive of the project, consolidating the terminology for future uses, and much more. (Ibid) Some work providers give feedback on the quality of translated materials. This is a welcome development that enables the translator to take note of the company's remarks on the errors found in the translation. These remarks are most of the time related to issues pertaining to terminology, interpretation, acronyms, etc. Indeed, when I was working for the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) in Nairobi, Kenya as a consultant, the Secretary-General instructed the secretariat to always show me all the corrections made in my translations to ensure that the same errors were not repeated in subsequent translations. After this overview of the translator's job, Gouadec describes freelance translators. b) Freelance translators Gouadec (2007) describes freelance translators as follows: Freelance translators, or so-called 'independent' translators, are self-employed, meaning they are not in any legal sense 'bound' to their clients or work providers. They either work for 'direct' clients (whom they invoice directly) or for agencies (or brokerage firms) that actually get the contracts and subcontract them to the freelancers. (Ibid, p. 99) Furthermore, he states that freelance translators are expected to pay all mandatory taxes and social security contributions. However, in several African countries, many self-employed professionals and informal sector workers do not pay taxes because the income tax policies are lax and most of these workers are not registered. In several countries, especially in West Africa, some freelance translators manage to avoid taxes by refraining from opening translation bureaux. Given that they are very mobile because of the nature of their work, tax offices find it difficult to spot them. Having said that, there are bona fide translators and interpreters who do pay taxes even if they fail to declare all their incomes. In any case, it is important to stress that health insurance and occupational pension schemes are vital matters that every freelance translator needs to subscribe to. On this same score, Gouadec explains that freelance translators enter into voluntary contractual relationships with their clients. In some African countries, there is no actual legal framework for freelancing and individual translators as well as the few existing translators' associations are not registered. However, some translators' associations are making an effort to register and claim status for their members. Some of the opportunities of the profession include flexibility and the freedom to decide the working hours and places. By contrast, the challenges include uncertain and irregular income, fierce competition, the tendency of some translators to charge very low tariffs, unfamiliarity with their clients' terminology and policies, especially at the beginning of the working relationship, etc. A freelance translator confessed one day at the end of a five-day conference that he had no social security scheme. Therefore, he normally spent most of the money he earned during conferences to buy plots of land hoping that in the future, the plots would generate enough income to sustain his life. It is a bet. In this particular case, it may be recommended to subscribe to a national social security and pension scheme even though in some countries private social security schemes are rather problematic. Given that freelance translators are very mobile, whenever they decide to terminate or transfer the schemes to another country, they lose a lot of money. Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Profession of Translator in Africa © 2023 Global Journals Volume XXIII Issue VIII Version I 103 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2023 G