Your favorite saying/quote(s) for a translator? Thread poster: Linh Hoang
|
|---|
Linh Hoang 
Vietnam
Local time: 07:16
Member (2011)
English to Vietnamese
+ ...
Dear my fellows,
You may have been working as a translator for years. What's your favorite saying/quote(s) about a translator? Could you share it?
Do you think this one true: "The reason why you should date a translator: they can stay up all night if you want them to."?_^_
| | | | Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:16
Russian to English
+ ...
In memoriam | Bad translator's reply to query | Dec 6, 2016 |
"Don't ask me what it MEANS, I only translate this ruddy stuff!"
| | | | | Definition of a good translator | Dec 6, 2016 |
"A good translator leaves no work for a reviewer. A good reviewer findes room for improvement even then."
Some words I try to live by.
But sometimes it looks like what I said about a project where the source was written extremely bad (by a barely literate non-native, if you need some assesment). "I'm gradually turning this pile of horse s**t into a masterpiece."
| | | | | Favourite quote for a translator | Dec 6, 2016 |
"When I have problems, I escape into translation" - I don't know its author. I've found it in the space of the internet.
| | |
|
|
|
Gerard de Noord
France
Local time: 01:16
Member (2003)
English to Dutch
+ ...
| Translations (like wives) are seldom strictly faithful if they are in the least attractive | Dec 6, 2016 |
Translations (like wives) are seldom strictly faithful if they are in the least attractive.
Roy Campbell 1901–57 South African poet: in Poetry Review June-July 1949
| | | | Rosalind Haigh
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:16
German to English
+ ...
Gerard de Noord wrote:
Translations (like wives) are seldom strictly faithful if they are in the least attractive.
Roy Campbell 1901–57 South African poet: in Poetry Review June-July 1949
An unpleasant enough statement even over 60 years ago, but in today's climate? You have got to be joking.
| | | | Daniel Frisano
Italy
Local time: 01:16
Member (2008)
English to Italian
+ ...
| Somebody please explain this to her | Dec 7, 2016 |
"A cuarantevot ains, no ise ore che tu cjatis un lavôr?" ("At 48, don't you think it's time to get a job?")
My 75-year mother on the phone the other day, after I've been doing this for 19 years.
| | | | Daniel Frisano
Italy
Local time: 01:16
Member (2008)
English to Italian
+ ...
| Here's another one (don't tell anybody or we will all be jobless) | Dec 7, 2016 |
HER - So what do you do?
ME - I am a translator.
HER - Like when they show in TV like Putin meeting like Angela Merkel and there's someone in the middle translating what they say to each other?
ME - Well, technically that's called an interpreter. I do written stuff.
HER - Who would need that? It sounds useless.
ME - Well, next time you buy a new cell phone and you find the instructions in Italian, it's because somebody translated them from English.
HER - Would... See more HER - So what do you do?
ME - I am a translator.
HER - Like when they show in TV like Putin meeting like Angela Merkel and there's someone in the middle translating what they say to each other?
ME - Well, technically that's called an interpreter. I do written stuff.
HER - Who would need that? It sounds useless.
ME - Well, next time you buy a new cell phone and you find the instructions in Italian, it's because somebody translated them from English.
HER - Wouldn't it be easier to just write it directly in all the languages?
ME - ...
(Yes, she was blonde, and, no, I am not saying that all blondes are like that.) ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
Linh Hoang
Vietnam
Local time: 07:16
Member (2011)
English to Vietnamese
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Like good translator! | Dec 7, 2016 |
I like good translators, of course.
Aha. It would really take time to turn such s**t into a masterpiece. It certainly makes us crazy!!!
Aleksandra Muraviova wrote:
"A good translator leaves no work for a reviewer. A good reviewer findes room for improvement even then."
Some words I try to live by.
But sometimes it looks like what I said about a project where the source was written extremely bad (by a barely literate non-native, if you need some assesment). "I'm gradually turning this pile of horse s**t into a masterpiece."
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Your favorite saying/quote(s) for a translator? Advanced search | PerfectIt consistency checker | Faster Checking, Greater Accuracy
PerfectIt helps deliver error-free documents. It improves consistency, ensures quality and helps to enforce style guides. It’s a powerful tool for pro users, and comes with the assurance of a 30-day money back guarantee.
More info » |
| | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news