Join the Common Language cooperative

 

Join Us

The Common Language cooperative for translation and editing has completed the initial recrutement of its members. At this stage we invite freelance translators, editors, interpreters, proof readers and transcribers to sign up for our waiting list.

 

 

Why should I join?

As freelancers, we’re all used to our independence. We are used to picking our own clients and controlling our workloads; we run our businesses by ourselves, from marketing to payment collection; and we debate how to translate each and every sentence ourselves. Our independence is great - but why be alone at it?

 

One day we made up our mind and said to our colleagues: we don’t have to be alone! We started discussing it and finding ways to be alone together. That’s how Shared Language first started: with the purpose of being together without losing the benefits of independence.

 

• We are together in running the business - we do marketing together, help each other work with difficult clients, give legal advice when necessary, and soon we will also have unique discounts on purchasing professional software and services, only for members of the cooperative.

• We are together in translating and editing - we have a mutual, inner system of proofreading, which allows each of our members to supply their clients a better quality product, and at the same time learn from his or her colleagues.

• We are together in promoting our shared profession - the Shared Language cooperative strengthens the current status which clients see in translators and editors, and provides a quality alternative to the agencies who tend to sell their professionals cheap.

• We are together in maintaining our independence - in rates, in client choice, in receiving projects outside of the cooperative and in our working style.

 

 

Eligibility requirements

It is important to note that we are not looking for people for whom translation and editing are just a way to make some extra cash, a hobby or an occasional side project, but serious professionals who are committed to their work.

Additionally, we are sorry to say that at this point translators who only do literary projects or subtitle translating will not be able to join the cooperative. The reason is that the current market structure does not allow us to provide them with work via the cooperative.

Since we are a professional cooperative, we’ve decided on basic requirements to join. They are based on the number of years of experience in the field and an academic degree or official certificate in translation or editing.

 

 

Basic requirements

• If you don’t have an academic degree: two years of experience in the profession (translation/editing), as a half-time employee at minimum

• If you have a Bachelor’s degree, including one in translation or editing: one year of experience in the profession (translating/editing), as a half-time employee at minimum

• If you are a certified translator or linguistic editor: no experience is necessary

 

*Translators recognized by the Israel Translators Association can join the cooperative regardless of these basic requirements.

 

*Other language professionals will be asked to provide proof of high education and experience equivalent of the ones stated above.

 

A further requirement of members of the cooperative is reasonable pricing. Members of Shared Language refuse to work with translators and editors who price their work too cheap, since this type of behavior creates inappropriate competition and degrades the field. As such, once you join the cooperative, you pledge to charge your client fees that attest to your professionalism and seriousness.

In addition, all members of the cooperative must issue receipts to their clients by law.

 

 

I understand why I should be a member of the cooperative; will I have duties as well?

The main duty for members of the cooperative at this stage is to take part in the inner proofreading system. When a translator or editor receives a project via the cooperative, once they are done they must send the work to be proofread by one of the other members. This part is meant to make sure all translation and editing work is of the highest quality, to further refine it, and to maintain Shared Language’s high reputation.

 

It is important to note that this act of proofreading is neither editing nor translation editing, but only re-reading the document and correcting spelling errors, syntax errors and obvious ‘mishaps.’

What’s more, the proofreading does not replace re-reading and corrections by the original translator or editor - it only replaces second and third re-readings.

No doubt another set of eyes can see errors which the translator or editor cannot notice even after a fourth re-reading. Mutual proofreading allows us to get to know each other, to spot members whose work quality is too low (and therefore does not belong with us), and even learn - simply learn - from other members’ style of work. Besides, it’s so much more interesting than going over your own document again and again…!

 

The rest of the cooperative’s work, such as marketing, managing the website etc, are currently done on a fully voluntary basis. Later on we may set up fixed duty rotations.

 

 

Do I need to pay in order to join the cooperative?

At this point we take only a small nominal fee which is used to cover website storage costs.

 

 

So how do I join?

Fill in our form and we will contact you soon to schedule an interview.