Freelance Translator: professionnal networking and deontology

ltrad2492  2026-2027  Louvain-la-Neuve

Freelance Translator: professionnal networking and deontology
5.00 credits
15.0 h + 15.0 h
Q1
> Schedule
Teacher(s)
Lefer Marie-Aude;
Language
French
> English-friendly
Main themes
Overview of the various aspects of working as a freelance translator: administrative procedures, pricing, networking, professional conduct and ethics. 
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Contribution of teaching unit to learning outcomes assigned to programme 
This unit contributes to the acquisition and development of the following learning outcomes, as assigned to the Master's degree in translation: 
  • use social media responsibly for professional purposes (24 – Personal and Interpersonal); 
  • monitor and take account of new societal and language industry demands, new market requirements and emerging job profiles (27 – Service Provision); 
  • approach existing clients and find new clients through prospecting and marketing strategies using the appropriate written and oral communication techniques (28 – Service Provision); 
  • understand and implement the standards applicable to the provision of a language service (32 – Service Provision); 
  • critically assess and work within the ethical principles (such as confidentiality, fair competition, impartiality) defined in codes of ethics and guides of good practice (34 – Service Provision); 
  • network with other translators and language service providers, including via professional associations, events and social media so as to improve individual and collective professional visibility (35 – Service Provision). 
Specific learning outcomes on completion of teaching unit 
On completing this unit the student is able to: 
  • identify the steps necessary to establish themselves as a freelance translator; 
  • design professional communication tools (CV, portfolio, website, online profiles) tailored to the translation industry; 
  • use social media and professional networks effectively to develop their client base; 
  • negotiate contracts and set the rates in a professional and ethical manner; 
  • analyse and interpret codes of ethics, internal regulations and other internal provisions of the professional framework in which they operate; 
  • apply the principles of professional ethics for freelance translators; 
  • recognise current ethical issues, particularly in relation to machine translation, and propose appropriate responses. 
 
Content
Professional practices: learn about the freelance translation profession, develop a career plan, start and manage your own translation business
Networking: build your client base, prospect for new business, establish a presence on professional networks
Professional ethics: learn the fundamentals of professional ethics and obligations, explore the ethical challenges associated with translation technologies
Teaching methods
Lectures and workshops.
Evaluation methods
Continuous assessment : in-class participation (20%) and written reports (80%). 
August/September session: written assignment to be submitted by 16 August 2027.
Bibliography
/
Faculty or entity
> LSTI


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in French and Romance Languages and Literatures : French as a Foreign Language
FLE2M
5
Master [120] in Translation
TRAD2M
5