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Top ten misconceptions about translation | Those crafty computers...

Phil Hand — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:54:00 +0000

Forum: Off topic
Topic: Top ten misconceptions about translation
Poster: Phil Hand
Post title: Those crafty computers...

Ivan said:

"computers do most of the translator's work".

I was doing some quick English>Chinese for an interpreting client the other day. The input system for Chinese that I (and most people) use involves typing the pronunciation of a character, then selecting the right character from a pop-up list (it's quicker than you'd think because the software is smart and guesses which character you want). The client was a non-native English speaker, and when he saw that I was typing Roman letters, said, "Oh, the computer's translating automatically for you!"

This is a guy who works in a highly multilingual environment. Surely he would know that computers can't do that? Surely?! But apparently not...

Top ten misconceptions about translation | Could this be the source of the confusion?

Jande — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 01:41:00 +0000

Forum: Off topic
Topic: Top ten misconceptions about translation
Poster: Jande
Post title: Could this be the source of the confusion?

If only a word in one language could be directly substituted for a word in another language with exactly the same meaning...

Top ten misconceptions about translation | Globalization means for translation seekers...

ISAAC PRADEL LEAL — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:32:00 +0000

Forum: Off topic
Topic: Top ten misconceptions about translation
Poster: ISAAC PRADEL LEAL
Post title: Globalization means for translation seekers...

That of course anyone in India or China, or "Elbonians" to the matter... God bless Scott Adams... without any reference, published work or whatever... has the appropiate know-how to translate from & into any language known to mankind, including latin & ancian greek, with outstanding quality, for less than 2 cents per word, delivering close to 20.000 words a day... Because before they existed, so-called, self-proclaimed "professionals" in the rest of the world were ripping off their customers... 'cause they are bastards who want to get rich quick... more stuff like this in my blog : [url removed] ...

[Edited at 2011-04-22 07:29 GMT]

Top ten misconceptions about translation | Misconception # 0

Ivan Rocha, CT — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:37:00 +0000

Forum: Off topic
Topic: Top ten misconceptions about translation
Poster: Ivan Rocha, CT
Post title: Misconception # 0

...that is, if zero was a number, should be:

"computers do most of the translator's work".

Top ten misconceptions about translation | well,

JH Trads — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:03:00 +0000

Forum: Off topic
Topic: Top ten misconceptions about translation
Poster: JH Trads
Post title: well,

6 and 9 could merge, and then spinoff:

"a good translator doesn't need a monolingual dictionary" :)

Top ten misconceptions about translation | Wonderful

ahmadwadan.com — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:07:00 +0000

Forum: Off topic
Topic: Top ten misconceptions about translation
Poster: ahmadwadan.com
Post title: Wonderful

Wonderful kleiner Kater. Very nice input indeed.

Top ten misconceptions about translation | #11

Ashley Wans — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:17:00 +0000

Forum: Off topic
Topic: Top ten misconceptions about translation
Poster: Ashley Wans
Post title: #11

11. Any bilingual person already has the skills to become a translator; it has nothing to do with your writing abilities.

I have a bilingual friend with no understanding of what translation or interpreting is about. She wants to take the ATA certification exam so she can show potential future employers she is bilingual (these are not translation-related employers, rather companies that do business internationally). I linked her to the ATA page that states that less than 20% of translators who attempt the test pass the first time. Hopefully this will discourage her from wasting her money without investing in further training first.

A lot of people I know don't seem to understand that your writing skills are an integral part of your skill set as a translator. If you cannot write well in the target language, this will be a serious impediment to your success as a translator.

Top ten misconceptions about translation | David

Henry Hinds — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 01:42:00 +0000

Forum: Off topic
Topic: Top ten misconceptions about translation
Poster: Henry Hinds
Post title: David

Good TOP TEN LIST for David Letterman, except he won't take it because it's meanlingless for his constituency. But it's a good attempt anyway.

Top ten misconceptions about translation

kleiner Kater — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:49:00 +0000

Forum: Off topic
Topic: Top ten misconceptions about translation
Poster: kleiner Kater

TOP TEN MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT TRANSLATION

10. Anybody with two years of high school language (or a foreign-tongued

grandmother) can translate.

9. A good translator doesn't need a dictionary.

8. There's no difference between translation and interpretation.

7. Translators don't mind working nights and weekends at no extra charge.

6. Translators don't need to understand what they're translating.

5. A good translator doesn't need proofing or editing.

4. Becoming a translator is an easy way to get rich quick.

3. Translation is just typing in a foreign language.

2. A translator costs $49.95 at Radio Shack and runs on two 'C' batteries.

... And the #1 misconception about translation and translators:

1. That marketing copy that took a team of 20 people two months to put

together can be translated overnight by one Person and still retain the same

impact as the original.