I am a 64-year-old translator and speak 7 languages. It took 7 years’ training to become a good translator, the same time it takes to study law or medicine.
After working as a freelance translator, I founded my own Translations company in 1994 based in London, UK. We cover 225 languages with 3500 highly qualified translators based worldwide. I’ve been so lucky to love my job, and successfully provided a top-quality service to a long list of well-known multinational companies for almost 30 years.
The appearance of platforms like Google Translate did not affect my business – Legal, Medical and Pharmaceutical clients, etc. needed 100% accurate translations and depended on the expertise of experienced humans. That is, until now…
AI suddenly arrived in a big way in 2023, it has almost completely destroyed the translations industry in just a few months. I’m still not sure exactly how, but the demand for my skills has all but dried up. In 2024 we were going to celebrate our 30th anniversary, and my eldest daughter was going to take over my company when I turn 65.
Instead, I had to make several people redundant this year, and in January I must fire my last employee, my daughter, and close doors for the last time.
My income has gone from healthy to almost nothing in just a few months!
I have just one year left to pay off the mortgage on our house, with just GBP 12280 / USD 15514 / EUR 14400 outstanding. However the bank is being totally unhelpful. I am 2 months in arrears, and if I miss one further month, they’ll start legal proceedings to repossess / foreclose the house!
My wife has been ill for many years and unable to work, so the responsibility is all on my shoulders. My youngest son is in his second year at university studying mechanical engineering. I’m gutted I can no longer support him.
I’m trying my hardest to reinvent myself at the age of 64, and I’m confident that I will! But these things take time…
The family understands we can survive deleting Christmas this year. But losing the house after all these years of hard and proud work is frightening and gives me sleepless nights.
Maybe there’s an angel out there who can help us through the coming year until I can stand on my two feet again?
Best wishes, and thank you for listening!
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/patrick255059