The beauty of free collaborations: why translators should pursue their passions

Unlocking the joy

As a translator, you often find yourself navigating through two or more languages, cultures, and contexts. However, have you ever considered diving into a collaboration related to a passion of yours? Something universally beautiful  that transcends languages and cultures and that moves you?  Working for free in fields that ignite your passion—like floristry for us at Hong Kong French Papers for instance—can be incredibly rewarding. You get to grow professionally while indulging in tasks that inspire creativity and nourish your soul.

Fueling your passion as a translator

Translators possess unique skills that can truly blossom when they collaborate in a field they love. At Hong Kong French Papers, when we engage with floristry, we do not only expand our vocabulary but we also immerse ourselves in a vibrant world filled with colors, fragrances, and textures. Whether we are translating floral design guides, creating content for a flower shop, or assisting in workshops, our linguistic skills can breathe life into the beautiful art of floristry that we are so fond of.  And we love flowers so much that we can say confidently that our ultimate privilege would be to translate a whole floristry-related book!

Building valuable connections

Beyond the personal enjoyment of working in a field of our choice, these collaborations often lead to fruitful connections. Networking with fellow florists, event planners, and artists can open the door to new opportunities. Who knows we may find ourselves invited to workshops, featured in blogs, or even collaborating on exciting projects. Engaging in free work allows us to build relationships without the pressure of a formal contract, which can hopefully  lead to long-term friendships and collaborations down the line.

Moreover, by supporting local floristry initiatives or participating in community projects, we can also boost our visibility as a translator. This can enhance our portfolio and let potential clients know that we are not just an expert in languages but also a company that genuinely cares about its craft.

Gaining more experience and exposure

As translators, it's vital to continuously sharpen our skills and keep our creativity flowing. Free collaborations provide an ideal platform for experimenting with new genres, styles, and types of content. Engaging in floristry opens doors for us to explore descriptions of flowers, arrangements, and events, allowing us to refine our craft in a playful and engaging environment.

Additionally, by engaging in such collaborations, you can become more than just a translator; you evolve into a content creator, which enhances your versatility and marketability. The skills acquired in creative fields can be seamlessly integrated into translation work, making you a well-rounded professional whom clients can rely on. In summary, free collaborations can benefit your career through skill enhancement, networking prospects, and a profound sense of fulfillment and joy.

So, if you find yourself yearning to work in an area that makes you happy, don’t shy away! Embrace the opportunity to collaborate, learn, and grow in the field you like. Who knows? You might just cultivate a whole new level of passion for your work as a translator!

And by the way, flowers do have a positive effect on our well-being, as proven empirically in 2005 by Professor Jeannette Haviland-Jones , in 'An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotion: Flowers'.

***Disclaimer: Although this content is produced by a human being, the author has enlisted the help of machine translation to make some sentences of this text more pleasant to read for an English-speaking readership.