| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Do you think it is important to live in the source language country? Thread poster: Elisa Noetinger
|
|---|
Maria Amorim (X) 
Sweden
Local time: 04:20
Swedish to Portuguese
+ ...
| It depends ... | Nov 1, 2009 |
I think it depends on the source language, how far away it is from the target language, and how much diffused the source language is. Swedish and Portuguese are completely different languages. Cultural aspects play an important roll here. Swedish is a language based on synthesis while the Portuguese language is analytical, just to mention one difference. It is a difficult language spoken by just 10 million people but with a high and dynamic technological and social development.
I ... See more I think it depends on the source language, how far away it is from the target language, and how much diffused the source language is. Swedish and Portuguese are completely different languages. Cultural aspects play an important roll here. Swedish is a language based on synthesis while the Portuguese language is analytical, just to mention one difference. It is a difficult language spoken by just 10 million people but with a high and dynamic technological and social development.
I can live in Brazil or in Portugal as an English Portuguese translator. But I am not sure I could do that after having left Sweden for many years.
Contact with the target language is absolutely important and I solve this by travelling to Portugal and Brazil as much as possible, reading books in Portuguese, writing in my own language, and having a permanent contact with people in these Portuguese speaking countries. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Cathy Flick
United States
Local time: 21:20
Member (2003)
Russian to English
+ ...
| depends on the subject area | Nov 2, 2009 |
It depends on the subject area - my areas, for instance, are purely technical (no correspondence or corporate reports etc.) and so it really makes no difference. We share a common culture in the laboratory (and not just the microbiologists....).
Other areas that depend on cultural nuances etc. may need a different approach. One solution is to try to plan large amounts of time (very long visits or frequent visits) in the other country. Of course, nowadays the net makes it easier to ... See more It depends on the subject area - my areas, for instance, are purely technical (no correspondence or corporate reports etc.) and so it really makes no difference. We share a common culture in the laboratory (and not just the microbiologists....).
Other areas that depend on cultural nuances etc. may need a different approach. One solution is to try to plan large amounts of time (very long visits or frequent visits) in the other country. Of course, nowadays the net makes it easier to keep up with newspapers and videos and forums etc. in many languages, so there are ways to "keep up" both actively and passively even when far away.
Peace, Cathy Flick
Ph.D. Chemical Physics/M.A. Physics/B.S. Chemistry
Scientific Translator since 1978
Russian/French/German/Spanish/Italian into US English ▲ Collapse
| | | | NMR (X)
France
Local time: 04:20
French to Dutch
+ ...
Of course it is important for the reasons mentioned above (good/better/perfect knowledge of the source language). In case of doubt, we can ask our friends or neighbours. The problem is that we have to find equivalents in the target language: this is difficult without proper training in translation techniques (how to avoid false friends, how to find relevant documentation).
But I think it is especially important from an economic point of view: we mostly work on export products... bec... See more Of course it is important for the reasons mentioned above (good/better/perfect knowledge of the source language). In case of doubt, we can ask our friends or neighbours. The problem is that we have to find equivalents in the target language: this is difficult without proper training in translation techniques (how to avoid false friends, how to find relevant documentation).
But I think it is especially important from an economic point of view: we mostly work on export products... because manufacturers who have to translate stuff into five or twelve languages will generally ask this a local agency to do this. At the same time, these local clients and agencies often take expats for specialists, even if they aren't! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Do you think it is important to live in the source language country? | Feb 3, 2010 |
Elisa Noetinger wrote:
Good morning,
I am in the process of deciding on a topic for my MA dissertation and would like to know your opinion on the importance of living in the source language country.
Do you consider cultural awareness as important as linguistic competence?
What impacts did living in the source language country have in your work? If any?
Do you feel your approach and/or quality improved after spending xxx amount of time in the source language country?
I am all ears!!
Regards,
Elisa
I think it is far more important to live in the target country ( as your job will be evaluated in the destination countries ) and to trip for few month to the source country ( as language is a living entity that evolve with the time ) and some words will have been forgotten and some others will have been created.
[Editado a las 2010-02-04 02:41 GMT]
| | | | | Pages in topic: < [1 2] | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Do you think it is important to live in the source language country? | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
| | CafeTran Espresso | You've never met a CAT tool this clever!
Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer.
Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools.
Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
