| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | Off topic: how do you explain to your friend what the translation is about? Thread poster: Veronika Hansova
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Trudy Peters 
United States
Local time: 00:18
German to English
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| There's a great saying | Sep 12, 2007 |
Speaking two languages doesn't make you a translator any more than having two legs makes you a dancer!
| | | | Claire Cox
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:18
French to English
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| Pointless task | Sep 12, 2007 |
Unless people have some experience of language use, I really think you're fighting a losing battle. My ex-father-in-law (an otherwise well-educated science graduate) persisted in referring to my job as "typing" despite all my efforts to convince him that what I did involved a little more than that....
However, I've been speaking to a bilingual French teacher recently who said how much she admired what I did as she'd tried translating and soon realised it wasn't for her. By the same ... See more Unless people have some experience of language use, I really think you're fighting a losing battle. My ex-father-in-law (an otherwise well-educated science graduate) persisted in referring to my job as "typing" despite all my efforts to convince him that what I did involved a little more than that....
However, I've been speaking to a bilingual French teacher recently who said how much she admired what I did as she'd tried translating and soon realised it wasn't for her. By the same token, I'd be the first to admit that I would be the world's worst teacher!
Each to their own, I think..... Just turn the other cheek.
[Edited at 2007-09-12 22:24] ▲ Collapse
| | | | mediamatrix (X)
Local time: 00:18
Spanish to English
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| Famous last words, perhaps | Sep 12, 2007 |
Veronika Hansova wrote:
.... I asked one of my Spanish colleagues to select short test translations and do the proof-reading.
I have not got the results yet, but I am pretty sure, she could not pass these tests....
If those test translations are in the field of chemistry, and are Spanish to your friend's native language (presumably Czech, though you've not confirmed that), then I imagine your friend's transations will be better than you could do yourself if you were translating the same chemistry material from one of your source languages (English, for example) into Czech as, according to your profile, chemistry is not one of your specialist topics.
There's every chance your friend could be an excellent translator, provided (s)he works within his/her specialist field(s) and into his/her native languge.
Encouragement would be a far better ploy than disuasion in the situation you describe. Better for your friendship and better for your friend, who otherwise might miss out on a hidden vocation - and some useful income.
MediaMatrix
| | | | Veronika Hansova
Czech Republic
Local time: 06:18
Member (2006)
English to Czech
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TOPIC STARTER | To clarify some things that I probably forgot to mention... | Sep 13, 2007 |
My friend is doing the test translation from Sp. - Czech (native). That's right. And as somebody here mentioned, in order to produce a good chemical/biological translation you do not necessarily have to be an expert in linguistics.
BUT: you still should be able to translate general correspondence without any mistakes. You should be able to read books in Spanish without the necessity to consult the dictionary because of every other word. You may provide a terminologically perfect tr... See more My friend is doing the test translation from Sp. - Czech (native). That's right. And as somebody here mentioned, in order to produce a good chemical/biological translation you do not necessarily have to be an expert in linguistics.
BUT: you still should be able to translate general correspondence without any mistakes. You should be able to read books in Spanish without the necessity to consult the dictionary because of every other word. You may provide a terminologically perfect translation but then you arrive to a more complex sentence and you get lost.
She has been assigned one chemical text - not only about elements and reactions but of course also descriptions of lab tests, equipment etc. Not only subject-verb sentences, believe me.
Then one biological text - a pretty nice and short article from a popular magazine. Some general biological terms but more or less complex sentences and profound descriptions.
And finally one short letter - no bizz terminology, no marketing. Only a short informative letter. And this is IMO the stumbling block.
Second - to Williamson - when she was in Spain at her 6-month studies, I came to visit her. She studied only the chemistry. She had some mandatory courses of Catalan (staying in Barcelona), but no detailed study of the language. Her focus point was chemistry. As a foreign student she was relieved from many exams. She has not passed any certificate examination (not even something like Spanish FCE, if there is something comparable). She took part at some extra-curricular events, but more or less parties at the beach - no specific programme organized by the Faculty.
And as regards the theory, I believe she should at least be aware that translation is not about replacing words according to the dictionary.
And to medimatrix - you've got the point, perhaps I should encourage her more. I did in some way - I found a Spanish translator who was willing to do the proof-reading.
From what I know about my friend, I think she cannot be an excellent translator as much as I know that I cannot be a good IT specialist (not having studied the field, having just a general knowledge necessary for my job).
I believe that honesty should be more valued than blind encouragements, don't you think?
And to Irene : all my friends are intelligent too, but I believe this has nothing to the with their intelligence. Some of them - though intelligent enough - just cannot imagine what my work is about. The problem is that here almost everybody thinks that studying second language at the high school is more than enough. Thus you have thousands of young people somehow speaking some second language but only a few of them can do real translations.
But anyway, thank you for your points and suggestions. I respect my friend as an expert chemist and biologist and I would encourage her in doing chemical/biological translation if I
was sure she could do it. But I am not. ▲ Collapse
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| I just drop it | Sep 13, 2007 |
Veronika Hansova wrote: I feel like an idiot and I keep defending my work. Some of the friends think that I am earning a lot of money for nothing - sort of an envy. That I can take holiday whenever I want. Some of them even wonder that I have some working hours!... A nurse of the local doctor asked me about my profession. And when I said that I am a freelancer, she said: "Well, at least your husband has some fixed job!" 
Hi,
personally I always find it quite annoying to discuss what I do with people and I generally try to cut it short, since I am so tired of the "oh! yes I have a friend of mine who speaks good English, he decided to start a translation business" or ""Have you ever read Chinese noodle soup instructions? So terrible!!", or even "do you think there is any future in translation, what with the automatic translation programs available?" or "and apart from translation, what do you do??"... I just drop it!
Annelise
| | | | Veronika Hansova
Czech Republic
Local time: 06:18
Member (2006)
English to Czech
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TOPIC STARTER | I know some more... | Sep 13, 2007 |
Annelise Meyer wrote:
Hi,
personally I always find it quite annoying to discuss what I do with people and I generally try to cut it short, since I am so tired of the "oh! yes I have a friend of mine who speaks good English, he decided to start a translation business" ...
Annelise
Great!!! I love this one: "Oh, that's great! I was just looking around for somebody who would translate for me a short article from Science, National Geographic.../would translate my diploma thesis/do this English homework for me/reply to this email/teach me English..."
[Edited at 2007-09-13 11:46]
| | | | | Losing a friend? | Sep 13, 2007 |
First of all, why should explaining the "tools of the trade" mean losing friends? I mean, I'm the logical kind and when some of my bricklayer or factory worker friends explain how a procedure in their respective fields works, I'm all ears and willing to learn otherwise I just say "sorry, I'm not really interesed". Ahh, translating will NEVER be fully understood by non-translators or anyone who is not in the language sector at all!
Robert
| | | | Percy Balemans (X)
Netherlands
Local time: 06:18
| I try to explain, but sometimes it's no use | Sep 13, 2007 |
The worst reaction I ever got after I had told someone that I have completed a four-year full-time translation course: What did you do all those years, learn all the dictionaries by heart??
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When I tell people I'm a translator, they often come up with examples of bad translations (usually in subtitles or manuals) and then I tell them that this is because the translation profession is underrated and as a result, there are many people who think they can translate but e... See more The worst reaction I ever got after I had told someone that I have completed a four-year full-time translation course: What did you do all those years, learn all the dictionaries by heart??
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When I tell people I'm a translator, they often come up with examples of bad translations (usually in subtitles or manuals) and then I tell them that this is because the translation profession is underrated and as a result, there are many people who think they can translate but end up producing rubbish like that. That usually shuts them up. ▲ Collapse
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Trudy Peters wrote:
Speaking two languages doesn't make you a translator any more than having two legs makes you a dancer!
Wise words.
If I'm in the mood to defend our noble mission I just ask the disbeliever to translate just one sentence colloquial style (Non prof). But full of false friends, e.g. a lot of Germans or Cloggies would undertaker understand as entrepreneur instead of funeral director.
If I'm not in the mood for explanations I just say with a big grin:"I'm a lucky bastard, that they are willing to pay for my hobby. I don't even need holidays, cause it doesn't feel like work." Let them going green with envy.
[Edited at 2007-09-13 14:50]
| | | | | how do you explain to your friend what the translation is about? | Sep 13, 2007 |
I think that sending her a link to this Forum should be enough
| | | | | My experience | Sep 14, 2007 |
People (those who have no clue at all) like to ask me if I am "still doing my computer thing". I have heard people explain what I do to other people, saying "she's on a website and translates on the net".
Another comment, after I had explained what being a freelance translator is about, was: "It's a pretty easy job where you can make easy money."
Also, people I know come along and tell me they have a friend from Germany, France etc. who at the moment is traveling New Z... See more People (those who have no clue at all) like to ask me if I am "still doing my computer thing". I have heard people explain what I do to other people, saying "she's on a website and translates on the net".
Another comment, after I had explained what being a freelance translator is about, was: "It's a pretty easy job where you can make easy money."
Also, people I know come along and tell me they have a friend from Germany, France etc. who at the moment is traveling New Zealand for a few months and would like to make some extra money to fund their trip...
To one of them I explained that it is not enough to know two languages but that - among other things-to work as a translator you need to have excellent writing skills. He looked confused, because he couldn't see why that was so difficult: He thought I was talking about typing skills!!!
Anne ▲ Collapse
| | | | | No and yes.... | Sep 14, 2007 |
>>
"Pretty easy job" - NO way!
"You can make easy $$$" - well yes if you're serious about your job and don't have to waste time explaining what a translator does to VERY IGNORANT people!!!
Robert
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Yoanna
United States
Local time: 22:18
English to Polish
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| What? Transcription? | Sep 15, 2007 |
Since my profession is so rare here in Arizona, all of my friends [yep mostly housewives, monolingual, English] think at first I do [medical] transcription. Similar sound, more popular here I do not know any other translator in my huge suburban area although I have met people who mention them like urban legends ["I know a lady who's mother once knew someone at the office who also spoke several languages..."]
And since ... See more Since my profession is so rare here in Arizona, all of my friends [yep mostly housewives, monolingual, English] think at first I do [medical] transcription. Similar sound, more popular here I do not know any other translator in my huge suburban area although I have met people who mention them like urban legends ["I know a lady who's mother once knew someone at the office who also spoke several languages..."]
And since we have a big Hispanic population, I often hear:
"You speak four languages but NO SPANISH?! That's a pity!"
That's why I try to give an "office" impression most of the time. Not "I am a mom and I translate", but "I own a business and run it from my home office". I often use words like childcare, office, client etc. It helps Most people here or their spouses own a business and then you get the well-earned respect! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Aint it infuriatin' ! | Sep 15, 2007 |
Yep, it's infuriating. Of course it's great to feel "understood", but think about it for a moment ... does it really matter if you're not? How many of us actually understand what other people's jobs (or lives) involve? What do you instinctively feel, for instance, when someone says they're an accountant or a lawyer? Oh, how boring? But perhaps it's not.
This subject of getting "friends" to understand our profession comes up here frequently. In my case, my family and real friends do a... See more Yep, it's infuriating. Of course it's great to feel "understood", but think about it for a moment ... does it really matter if you're not? How many of us actually understand what other people's jobs (or lives) involve? What do you instinctively feel, for instance, when someone says they're an accountant or a lawyer? Oh, how boring? But perhaps it's not.
This subject of getting "friends" to understand our profession comes up here frequently. In my case, my family and real friends do appreciate what I do and don't appear to belittle it or to interrupt me when I'm busy.
In casual social conversation with new acquaintances, the wretched repeated silly questions and comments come up again and again, and are really not worth getting upset about. I like (and occasionally use) the suggestion by one answerer of saying something like "Yes, it's a breeze. Any idiot could do it. Why don't you try?", and leave it at that.
Keep smiling, such "friends" are a waste of time and space.
Love, Jenny. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Atena Hensch
New Zealand
Local time: 16:18
Persian (Farsi) to English
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Jenny Forbes wrote:
Of course it's great to feel "understood", but think about it for a moment ... does it really matter if you're not? How many of us actually understand what other people's jobs.
It depends if you are explaining to a close friend or someone who you would meet once a year!
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