| Pages in topic: [1 2] > |
Poll: How do you think you compare to other translators? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How do you think you compare to other translators?".
View the poll results »
| | | |
Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 11:28
English to German
|
| Better than average | Dec 23, 2016 |
I go back and forth between "pretty good" and "Why don't I know this already?"
| | | |
| Better than average | Dec 23, 2016 |
Like Muriel, I go back and forth between "pretty good" and "I should know this already"...
| | |
|
|
|
Julian Holmes 
Japan
Local time: 18:28
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| 'Better than average' + depends | Dec 23, 2016 |
on which field of expertise I am translating
There is a big difference in skills when you've been translating one field for 6 or 7 years and another for over 25.
Mind you, a customer at one of the major industrial automation manufacturers here in Japan did tell me once that as far as he knew I was one of only two people who could translate their products properly. Ever since, I've been hoping to meet the other bloke in a dark alley.  ... See more on which field of expertise I am translating
There is a big difference in skills when you've been translating one field for 6 or 7 years and another for over 25.
Mind you, a customer at one of the major industrial automation manufacturers here in Japan did tell me once that as far as he knew I was one of only two people who could translate their products properly. Ever since, I've been hoping to meet the other bloke in a dark alley.  ▲ Collapse
| | | |
Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 11:28
Member (2006)
German to English
|
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 11:28
Spanish to English
+ ...
As good as many, better than some and perhaps slightly worse than a few. WTF is "average" anyway, when it's at home?
| | | |
| I have never heard of the first option | Dec 23, 2016 |
and I doubt I am the only one - we could make a poll, that might reveal something as far as English goes
[Edited at 2016-12-23 09:59 GMT]
| | |
|
|
|
| I could still learn quite a lot | Dec 23, 2016 |
The larger the island of knowledge, the longer is the shore of the unknown...
I have learnt a few things along the way, but wise colleagues have taught me there is always more!
I seem to be above average, judging by the reactions of clients when I say I am winding down a bit.
'Can't hold a candle to you' - that will probably separate the native speakers of British English from the rest. Odd expression. My mother used it when we were too pleased with ourselves as c... See more The larger the island of knowledge, the longer is the shore of the unknown...
I have learnt a few things along the way, but wise colleagues have taught me there is always more!
I seem to be above average, judging by the reactions of clients when I say I am winding down a bit.
'Can't hold a candle to you' - that will probably separate the native speakers of British English from the rest. Odd expression. My mother used it when we were too pleased with ourselves as children, so it is always a rebuke to me.
But let's light a candle for a peaceful, festive end to the year, now the Northern Hemisphere has passed the shortest day, and a Happy New Year to everyone! ▲ Collapse
| | | |
Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 11:28
English to German
Christine Andersen wrote:
'Can't hold a candle to you' - that will probably separate the native speakers of British English from the rest.
The German expression is similar, but even weirder - "niemand kann mir das Wasser reichen", nobody can hand the water to me [implied: water in a glass or jug at a meal]. Can we collect more of these from other languages?
A happy return of the light to you, Christine, and to everyone!
| | | |
Helen Hagon
Local time: 10:28
Member (2011)
Russian to English
+ ...
Like most people, I'm very good at some things, not so great at others, and fairly average in a few areas. Therefore, I to attempt to steer my work in a direction that takes advantage of my strong points rather than my weaknesses. Meanwhile, there will always be things I don't know, so I'll never stop learning in an effort to fill in the gaps.
| | | |
Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 10:28
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| I'm good at what I do | Dec 23, 2016 |
If I didn't feel I was good at what I do, I wouldn't do it. I know some others make a hash of the same type of work, while others do a very good job. But I don't waste time comparing myself with them. I just try to always do my best. If a client has come to me, that's what he or she needs - my best work.
One thing I do know is that if I accepted everything from aeronautics to zoology, via legal and medical, I'd do a lot less well.
| | |
|
|
|
| No one can hold a candle to me | Dec 23, 2016 |
I don't exactly know what it means (and if I want to, I can investigate), but I found this entry funny.
I like these good-driver-type polls, where about 90% of car drivers think they drive better than average.
But average means 50% on one side, 50% on the other.
Never ever ask what people think of themselves, there's always an inherent bias.
Philippe
Edit: Sorry Ricki, you had already mentioned this.
[Edited at 2016-12-23 10:51 GMT]
| | | |
| It's an English language expression, definitely not just British English | Dec 23, 2016 |
Christine Andersen wrote:
'Can't hold a candle to you' - that will probably separate the native speakers of British English from the rest. Odd expression.
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/can't+hold+a+candle+to
| | | |
Philippe Etienne wrote:
But average means 50% on one side, 50% on the other.
Strictly speaking, it doesn't.
I could be so out-of-this-world brilliant that all other translators are below-average.
| | | |
| Pages in topic: [1 2] > |
Login to reply/comment 
