The Tao of the Guerrilla Translator

Overview

Welcome to the Tao of the Guerrilla Translator! The TotGT is a step by step itinerary describing the full journey of a translation project. The Tao is primarily centered on our pro-bono translation work and for material destined to be published in our web-magazine. On the other hand, much of the procedure described herein can be applied to the paid translation work we take on as an agency.

How to use this guide

Each of the different sections below detail all the different steps a “project” takes, from reading and article and considering it for translation/curation, through translation and copyediting to, finally, formatting, publishing and promoting it. We will be looking both at the workflow tools we use and the protocols we employ to optimize their usage.

Every section in this page contains a brief overview of each step in the process and a links to more thorough wiki entries detailing the concrete aspects of each section. All sections will be accompanied by short screen-cast videos explaining these processes. Keep in mind that the figure of the “Guerrilla Translator” described herein will be akin to the Hero with a Thousands Faces. We will show it taking on different roles (Curator, translator, copyeditor etc) although, in reality, some of these processes will be carried out by different persons.

Finally, given the variety of material we have, this is not a one-size fits all guide. There ‘’will’’ be exceptions, projects with different needs and changes over time. The intention here isn’t to present an inviolable template but an expedient way to get yourself familiarized with our method so you can expand on it an adapt it to both your own needs as a Guerrilla Translator as well as to the needs of each project. For this itinerary we have, as a working example, chosen a Standard Translation with no video content.

Is everybody in? The ceremony is about to begin….

Main steps in the Tao of the Guerrilla Translator

Before getting down to the nitty-gritty, we’d like to highlight four distinct areas in the process. They are as follows:

1: Content curation, assignment of operatives – Wherein the Guerrilla Translator reads something outstanding and want to share it with the group to organize this material as a project.

2: Pre-production, translation and copyediting process – Wherein the Guerrilla Translator inputs the material into our workflow system. Authors are contacted for permission and the material is translated and copyedited. This is the stage where additional tasks related to the project get put in place to be acted upon later (images, extracts, additional needs etc)

3: Formatting, proofreading and publishing – Wherein the Guerrilla Translator takes the translated an copyedited texts and formats it for publication in our web-magazines and, before releasing it to the world, proofreads it.

4. Social Media, post-production and re-publishing Wherein the Guerrilla Translator promotes the hell out of the great task he or she has accomplished, ties up any loose ends in this tale and gives the project new life (for lucrative sequels?) by trying to republish it in different outlets.

Content curation, assignment of operatives

Selecting material

This is how every