This paper approaches translation networks from a qualitative network analysis perspective and examines the adequacy and usefulness of different centrality concepts such as degree, closeness and betweenness in different settings. The authors carried out a qualitative multi-case field study, which included a freelancer translating directly for author clients, the translation department of a technology company and an online amateur translation network. The translation networks in the case studies all demonstrate a high level of complexity, and all the actors involved in a network are mutually dependent on each other. These networks show a high degree of structural polymorphy. Likewise, centrality is not completely predetermined by the actual resources available, e.g. through a large number of potential clients and subcontractors or the access to connections that comes with a role in an organisation, it also depends largely on the priorities of the individual actors. Both voluntary as well as involuntary peripheral positions were identified.