Martin Djovčoš (translation scholar)

TL;DR

Martin, a translator and teacher, discusses the importance of research in the translation and interpreting market in Slovakia and shares key findings from his surveys.

Transcript

we're in Bratislava with Martin and your family name is Joseph good yeah it often get it's mispronounced so that's fine everybody knows you as much but yeah okay I guess Martin what's your job what do you do um I work at matibil University I teach translation and other things what country is that in it's Slovakia sorry I work in Slovakia in basketb... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Translators in Slovakia are influenced by their instructors and education, leading to differences in behavior.
• ⌛ Part-time and full-time translators and interpreters also exhibit different behaviors in the market.
• 🇸🇰 Combinations of different translation specialties, such as literary, freelance, and audiovisual, are crucial for professional success in Slovakia.
• 🐕‍🦺 The average price for translation services in Slovakia is approximately 1700 euros based on calculations.
• ❓ Understanding client behavior and competitor behavior is vital for success in the market.
• 👻 Continuous research on the market allows for better prediction of industry trends.
• 🙊 Multilingualism is important in Central Europe, and speaking multiple Slavic languages is common.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is research on the translation and interpreting market important for Martin and his students?

Martin believes that having data about the market is crucial to make informed choices and provide satisfactory information to his students. As a translator and interpreter himself, he needs to understand pricing, client behavior, and competitor behavior.

Q: How does Martin calculate the average price of translation services in Slovakia?

Martin calculates the average price per standard page based on different charges for various clients and professions. He takes into account factors like working for literary publishing houses, agencies, audiovisual companies, and direct clients.

Q: What role did Martin's background in music play in his career trajectory?

Martin's creative background in music instilled in him a desire to create something meaningful. He sees research, teaching, and translation as creative outlets and finds them interesting. His passion for creativity naturally led him to his current career in translation.

Q: What kind of research should doctoral students in translation and interpreting focus on?

Martin recommends starting with basic works on research methodology, such as Andrew Testa's "The Map." He suggests exploring philosophical works by authors like Beyer and Popper to understand how to conduct proper research. As for research areas, any topic that addresses a defined problem and aligns with the researcher's interests is worth exploring.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Martin's research on the translation and interpreting market in Slovakia helps him inform and teach his students about the industry.

• The market behavior of translators in Slovakia varies based on factors like education, part-time vs. full-time work, and specialization.

• Martin's research provides insights into average prices for translation services in Slovakia and helps predict market trends for future graduates.