Specialization for translators??

[mem286]

I'm very much interested you give me an opinion about this:
Have you specialized? or do you translate a little bit of everything?

I'd really appreciate your comments.

[Julio Jaubert]

When I started to work, I added several "specialities" I can manage. I chose those specialities because I have enough knowledge about the common way the texts are written (in Spanish, that is, the target text). I included some of them because I had read many texts (e.g. Zoology and History), some because I have a degree (Physics and Chemistry), some others because I have some experience (machinery) and at last, I preferred some others because I studied these kind of texts when I was in the University (medicine).
I have done projects in almost all these subjects but, in order to do a better job, I chose to specialize in certain branches (industry: machinery and chemistry).
It's a circle of good feedback: the more specialized, the more clients consider me as the right professional for certain jobs. As I work in this kind of projects, I acquire more experience and I can offer better results.

I can confirm specialization is the best way for a translator.

[Hebe]

In my experience, I have had to deal with all kinds of translations; but through the years I have specialized in texts related to legal and tax and financial matters. As Julio says, specializing in a given area gives you the advantage of being one of the most qualified persons for a certain job. On the other hand, I don’t recommend focusing on just a specific topic because it could limit your options. The way I see it, specializing in an area only means that I will feel more comfortable translating certain texts than others; but I will still accept the challenge of translating texts that are out of my domain. It will imply more work and research on my part, but it will also give me the chance to learn new things

By the way this is a very interesting thread mem !!!

[mem286]

I've translated machinery manuals and material manufacture most of the time. It's not something I "die for" but the company I worked for needed this kind of translations, (beside all the business staff). I certainly agree with you Julio when you say that specialization is the best way for a translator. For some time, I've been thinking to specialize in something else, and I'm working on it, but it's like I can't find the right way.

Any suggestions? Thanks Julio and Hebe for your answers.