Interview with a translator at Ciklopea Ltd

Maja Jelčić is a Senior Translator at Ciklopea Ltd and she has been with us for five years. You can read more about her experience and career in this week’s interview with a translator.

Why did you become a translator and what path did you take to get to this point in your career?

Becoming a translator was an alternative to being a teacher. Although I tried that path, too, it was clear to me from early on that teaching was not for me. Teaching others was interesting and rewarding but also quite stressful. On the other hand, a translator gets the chance to learn.

Maja Jelčić, Senior Translator @ Ciklopea

How did you land your first translation job?

After graduating, I was freelancing and teaching English part-time. As I was looking for something more concrete than that, I applied for the position of a secretary/translator in a law firm. I got the job and the relatively short time I spent there actually directed my career. Being a lawyer is quite stressful but translating law-related texts keeps you close to justice but away from the stress. This was the closest I got to realising what I wanted to do in my life. So I took the court interpreter test and became a full-fledged full-time translator/court interpreter for English.

What has been your biggest professional challenge?

Three days consecutive interpretation with no preparation, no partner and little or no prior experience. It was on the island of Brač, I worked from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Talked my brains out. It turned out the job required at least two interpreters. Who knew what they were doing. I did well, nevertheless. And ended up feeling even better.

On that note, what has been your biggest professional reward?

My greatest award is being commended by my colleagues and peers.

What advice would you give to an up and coming translator?

Make sure you do all the moving, walking and exercising before you start translating. Because there’s going to be a loooooot of sitting from then on.

Are there any pitfalls to avoid in the translation business?

The way you translate depends on your client, the type of text and your resources. It also depends on the weather outside… Make sure you consider all of the above and do it right.

What are the personal qualities or skills that make a successful translator?

A successful translator is well educated, experienced, intelligent, analytic, organized, fast-typing, fast-thinking and knows his languages well.

What is your funniest translation story?

As a PM, I once got a translation submitted by a translator (just in time to submit it to the client) saying that he just couldn’t finish it entirely, that he had left some blanks… It was a bulky job, some 20 or 30 pages. I was hoping a word or two were missing. I started scrolling and then, after the first page, there was NOTHING.

What do you do when you are not working?

I walk, think and spend time with my children.

Write the first 10 words that first pop into your head

Now, never, ever, me, you, past, present, future, if, not