Poll: Have you ever had enough of your work? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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| | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 11:26
Spanish to English
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I sometimes get fed up with certain aspects of translation, mostly when dealing with agencies, such as being asked to clean up MT messes or similar sub-par efforts rather than simply being offered the translation in the first place. However, this almost never happens with my regular clients.
Other things that get my goat are when I tell people something and they don't pay attention - for example I recently closed one old bank account and opened another, but one client kept sending m... See more I sometimes get fed up with certain aspects of translation, mostly when dealing with agencies, such as being asked to clean up MT messes or similar sub-par efforts rather than simply being offered the translation in the first place. However, this almost never happens with my regular clients.
Other things that get my goat are when I tell people something and they don't pay attention - for example I recently closed one old bank account and opened another, but one client kept sending my payments to the old account, despite my written notification delivered to their offices in person, by hand. Or clients who send me scanned PDFs and similar dodgy formats. Clients who prepare beautifully formatted and laid out documents which they then decide need to be translated, regardless of the hassle and timewasting involved in converting the text into something workable.
Etc. But my translation work per se? Not really. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Julian Holmes 
Japan
Local time: 18:26
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| Like Neilmac | Sep 19, 2013 |
Not really
Translation itself if a very satisfying, challenging and, in a sense, empowering profession -- just think of all the knowledge you are gaining and being paid for at the same time. 
It's the business side of things that can jade my view of the profession. Like the monster customer I recently "divorced". Good riddance!
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when the job I accepted turned out to be incredibly boring or so complicated that I was out of my depth for a while. But usually, I really enjoy translating and creating readable texts. And I just cannot think of another job where I work so little for so much and can slob around at home as well
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Nicola Wood
Austria
Local time: 11:26
Member (2010)
German to English
| Hits the nail right on the head | Sep 19, 2013 |
Julian Holmes wrote: Not really Translation itself if a very satisfying, challenging and, in a sense, empowering profession -- just think of all the knowledge you are gaining and being paid for at the same time.
I really enjoy the challenge and diversity, so if I get fed up it's over ccustomers who need chasing to pay bills, filling out tax forms etc, but not the work itself. For me translation is the ideal job: I get to do something I really enjoy, learn lots of interesting things and all without even having to leave home!
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 11:26
Member (2009)
English to German
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| Not in the perhaps implied sense | Sep 19, 2013 |
Translation to me is like the salt on the meat, it has become such a vital part of my life. I will never have had enough of my work. The only thing that might happen is that after working nearly non-stop for days on a large project is that I might have (temporarily) enough of that particular project, but never of the work itself. Even when I am happy to finally no longer have to work on a particular project, thze great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction sweep this emotion right out the win... See more Translation to me is like the salt on the meat, it has become such a vital part of my life. I will never have had enough of my work. The only thing that might happen is that after working nearly non-stop for days on a large project is that I might have (temporarily) enough of that particular project, but never of the work itself. Even when I am happy to finally no longer have to work on a particular project, thze great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction sweep this emotion right out the window. ▲ Collapse
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I get fed up with some aspects of it:
- being a freelance in Italy (taxes and bureaucracy)
- requests from some clients (can you translate 10.000 words for tomorrow morning at 9, I know it is 8 pm now, but it won't be a problem for you, correct? - Yes it is a problem)
- constant need to explain that the fact that I know two languages (or more) does not mean that typing is not time consuming
But I have never had enough of the job itself
| | | | | No, not really! | Sep 19, 2013 |
I always enjoy the challenge (even when, as right now, I am translating from English some IFUs that were originally written in Korean and I can’t read a word of Korean…).
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Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 05:26
English to Spanish
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| To have had enough of translation? | Sep 19, 2013 |
In other words, to be fed up with translation or to find that activity insufferable, unbearable or intolerable?
Translation? Not at all. Why, Dalibor? Have you?
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Every day round about wine o'clock
| | | | Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 03:26
English to Spanish
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In memoriam
My work is one of the things that keeps me alive. There are others also, and they have their priorities.
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Translation is the magic touch of the fairy wand which enables the chrysalis of yearning to become the butterfly of intellectual achievement and fulfilment!
Steve K.
(P.S. Any jobs going at Tescos?)
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Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 18:26
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| Translation brings out the "best" in writing | Sep 20, 2013 |
Steve Kerry wrote:
Translation is the magic touch of the fairy wand which enables the chrysalis of yearning to become the butterfly of intellectual achievement and fulfilment!
Steve K.
(P.S. Any jobs going at Tescos?)
A scrumptiously superb and syruppy example of uber hyperbole and breathtaking bathos. Touché, Athos.
There's a 6.50 quid/hour shelf-stacking job at the local supermarket. Night shifts only. Interested? 
Julian H.
p.s.
For some wit and humour, you might appreciate having a butchers at the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXZJF0-d_M8
| | | | | Now you're talking.. | Sep 20, 2013 |
Julian Holmes wrote: There's a 6.50 quid/hour shelf-stacking job at the local supermarket. Night shifts only. Interested?
I spent a happy couple of months once shelf-stacking on the night shift at Asda. The money wasn't great but the toilet-roll diving from the top of a fork lift truck was an experience not to be missed!
Steve K.
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