ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Back to basics

Mario Chavez (X) — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 03:59:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Mario Chavez (X)
Post title: Back to basics

There's something rather disturbing in asking colleagues about how confident they are in their translation skills.

Just substitute the following for 'translation':

a) Parenting skills
b) Mothering skills
c) Reading skills
d) Prayer skills
e) Walking skills
f) Voting skills

If the above got you to smile, then you're agreeing with me.

Silly poll.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | You haven't read what I have read

Mario Chavez (X) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 21:36:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Mario Chavez (X)
Post title: You haven't read what I have read

[quote]Maxi Schwarz wrote:

[quote]Mario Chavez wrote:

One of the signs (or red flags, if you will) of poor writing skills is the overuse or misuse of certain words, in this case, adverbs.

I've read supremely confident or highly confident in something, never extremely confident.

There's no cultural anything in the use of 'extremely' in this context! Let's not excuse this kind of writing, please. [/quote]
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the use of "extremely" here, and it does not display poor writing skills. Actually, I can't quite picture "supremely confident". ;) [/quote]

Nothing like using an intensifier to argue the use of…another intensifier. Have fun.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Succumb to Jante? Moi! Not in a thousand years!

Christine Andersen — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 19:25:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Christine Andersen
Post title: Succumb to Jante? Moi! Not in a thousand years!

I think you've got me wrong!

[quote]Gitte Hovedskov, MCIL wrote:

Like Chris, I know what I can do and what I can't, and if I didn't feel extremely confident in my translation skills, I would be doing something else.

[quote]Christine Andersen wrote:

...but I live in Denmark, land of the Jante Law. (Don't imagine you are anything special, don't imagine you can teach us anything... and a list of other don'ts to keep everyone on the level).
Of course, there are ways of getting round it, but if you are over-confident, you risk being slapped down.

The art is to say modest and self-deprecating things about never giving up until the client is satisfied, while subtly exuding reliability and reasons for others to have confidence in you.

... [/quote]

I feel so sad for you, Christine: You have got the Danes so wrong! Just because you live in the good old land of the Law of Jante does not mean that you have to succumb to that law! On the contrary! The whole idea of the inventor of the Law of Jante (Aksel Sandemose) was to ridicule this attitude in Danish society and to suggest that we put that mentality to rest.

Yes, we hate bragging idiots who think the world of themselves for no apparent reason. But that is completely different to people who believe in themselves because they have every reason to. Those people have our respect.

Go on, dare to be brilliant!

[Edited at 2015-11-03 15:21 GMT] [/quote]

I have read Axel Sandemose...

I'm working up to renewing my Chartered Linguist status, and as far as I know I am the only Chartered Linguist who works with Danish.
Swinging between thinking what a brilliant application I wrote last year and HELP, how am I ever going to follow up on it this year...

Working up to Danish citizenship, now at last I can have the vote here AND keep my British passport.
If I had really got the Danes wrong, I don't think I could have stood living with them for 38 years...

Of course I'm brilliant. But we English don't like excessive bragging either, maybe something to do with Viking ancestors. I succumb to self criticism now and then, but I hope it's only healthy.

On average, count me in the fairly confident contingent.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Fairly confident

Triston Goodwin — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 19:19:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Triston Goodwin
Post title: Fairly confident

I think that there are certain subjects where I can create exceptional translations. I'm especially proud of my video game translations, for example. I also know that there are formats and subjects that I should never touch.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | to Mario's comment

Maxi Schwarz — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 18:42:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Maxi Schwarz
Post title: to Mario's comment

[quote]Mario Chavez wrote:

One of the signs (or red flags, if you will) of poor writing skills is the overuse or misuse of certain words, in this case, adverbs.

I've read supremely confident or highly confident in something, never extremely confident.

There's no cultural anything in the use of 'extremely' in this context! Let's not excuse this kind of writing, please. [/quote]
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the use of "extremely" here, and it does not display poor writing skills. Actually, I can't quite picture "supremely confident". ;)

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | The problem with extremely anything

Mario Chavez (X) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 16:14:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Mario Chavez (X)
Post title: The problem with extremely anything

I really liked reading some of the answers, not because they belie a humble attitude but because their owners are self-critical and are capable of an honest assessment.

Except for Chris, because she's usually writing stuff for laughs

:D

One of the signs (or red flags, if you will) of poor writing skills is the overuse or misuse of certain words, in this case, adverbs.

I've read supremely confident or highly confident in something, never extremely confident.

There's no cultural anything in the use of 'extremely' in this context! Let's not excuse this kind of writing, please.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Extremely confident

564354352 (X) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 15:20:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: 564354352 (X)
Post title: Extremely confident

Like Chris, I know what I can do and what I can't, and if I didn't feel extremely confident in my translation skills, I would be doing something else.

[quote]Christine Andersen wrote:

...but I live in Denmark, land of the Jante Law. (Don't imagine you are anything special, don't imagine you can teach us anything... and a list of other don'ts to keep everyone on the level).
Of course, there are ways of getting round it, but if you are over-confident, you risk being slapped down.

The art is to say modest and self-deprecating things about never giving up until the client is satisfied, while subtly exuding reliability and reasons for others to have confidence in you.

... [/quote]

I feel so sad for you, Christine: You have got the Danes so wrong! Just because you live in the good old land of the Law of Jante does not mean that you have to succumb to that law! On the contrary! The whole idea of the inventor of the Law of Jante (Aksel Sandemose) was to ridicule this attitude in Danish society and to suggest that we put that mentality to rest.

Yes, we hate bragging idiots who think the world of themselves for no apparent reason. But that is completely different to people who believe in themselves because they have every reason to. Those people have our respect.

Go on, dare to be brilliant!

[Edited at 2015-11-03 15:21 GMT]

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | a closer look at "confident"

Maxi Schwarz — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 14:48:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Maxi Schwarz
Post title: a closer look at "confident"

It includes such things as knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are, and only taking on jobs for which you are qualified. Also, having the training and experience. That confidence also includes the willingness to know we are not perfect, therefore of taking a second and third look, and being open to feedback and new information. Would you hire someone for professional work who was not confident in his ability to carry out that work?

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | comfortable with my skill

Chié_JP — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 12:37:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Chié_JP
Post title: comfortable with my skill

The best thing about myself is that I can tell what I am good about and what is not for me.

It is no way adequate to boast around but in the earlier stage at some point in time, I found out some people as good as I or less good are earning more rate than I did. Comparing things made me feel more secure that I am rather honest in my business.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | A non-linguistic translation skill

Victoria Britten — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 12:36:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Victoria Britten
Post title: A non-linguistic translation skill

[quote]Armorel Young wrote:

Perhaps the one thing I am confident of is my ability to distinguish what I can do well from what I can't.

[/quote]

For me this is a sorter of sheep from goats. There is no one more annoying, time-wasting and downright unprofessional, in any field, than the person who doesn't know how to say, "Sorry, that particular project is not one I'll make a good job of." Although I did recently find myself in the situation of not being believed when I said that: the potential client in question was a friend (and no linguist) and just couldn't see how, with the company providing the vocabulary, I could be so sure I was unlikely to do a good enough job on a highly technical text. I settled it by putting him onto someone who would, and the job was no doubt extremely well done, but it left my friend shaking his head in bewilderment.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Conceded

Charlie Bavington — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 11:45:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Charlie Bavington
Post title: Conceded

[quote]Muriel Vasconcellos wrote:

There's a difference between having confidence in one's skills and considering oneself 'excellent'. The question was about confidence. It's asking: Do I feel confident about offering my skills? [/quote]

True, I have conflated them. I am, for instance, extremely confident that my drawing skills are rubbish, so I do see what you mean. I do think it's a fair conflation to make in the circumstances of a poll on this particular website, but you are strictly speaking correct.

That said, if we were on artz.com and answered a poll question "how confident are you in your art skills" and I said "extremely", how good an artist do you think I would be claiming to be? :-)
Most people would, I venture, not think I was saying I was supremely confident that I'm utterly hopeless.

And if we're being picky, it's also not asking about "offering" skills either. :-)

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Confident enough

Christine Andersen — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 11:33:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Christine Andersen
Post title: Confident enough

I agree absolutely with Chris S
[quote]
I'm supremely confident in my translation skills. And I don't think that's arrogant or un-British.

I'm not saying I'm perfect or that I'm better than anyone else or that I cannot improve. Just that I know what I can do and what I can't, and I only do what I can do, and I do it well.

If you're not confident you're going to do a good job, you shouldn't be doing it.
[/quote]
...but I live in Denmark, land of the Jante Law. (Don't imagine you are anything special, don't imagine you can teach us anything... and a list of other don'ts to keep everyone on the level).
Of course, there are ways of getting round it, but if you are over-confident, you risk being slapped down.

The art is to say modest and self-deprecating things about never giving up until the client is satisfied, while subtly exuding reliability and reasons for others to have confidence in you.

I am confident enough to stay in business...

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | @ Charlie

Muriel Vasconcellos (X) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 11:13:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
Post title: @ Charlie

There's a difference between having confidence in one's skills and considering oneself 'excellent'. The question was about confidence. It's asking: Do I feel confident about offering my skills?

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Extremely

The Shredder — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 11:12:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: The Shredder
Post title: Extremely

I'm supremely confident in my translation skills. And I don't think that's arrogant or un-British.

I'm not saying I'm perfect or that I'm better than anyone else or that I cannot improve. Just that I know what I can do and what I can't, and I only do what I can do, and I do it well.

If you're not confident you're going to do a good job, you shouldn't be doing it.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Very confident

Muriel Vasconcellos (X) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 11:08:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
Post title: Very confident

I've been translating more than 40 years, and during that time I've had enough feedback from supervisors and enough comparators to know pretty much where I stand. Feedback comes easily in an in-house environment.

I do worry, though. I catch mistakes when I proofread my work, and I wonder if I made more that I didn't catch. And sometimes I see that I settled for a rendition that's less than brilliant. It's impossible to be evenly good all the time.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Very confident

Helen Hagon — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 09:52:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Helen Hagon
Post title: Very confident

Surely you have to be confident that you can do a good job if you want to sell your services? However, there are also plenty of people out there willing to criticize - a few in a constructive way, but many more who are happy to pull a translator's work apart without good reason, and often out of sheer ignorance. That can shake the translator's confidence, especially in a very solitary profession where there may be no other colleagues in the office to pat you on the back and make you feel better. Also, despite having a degree of confidence in my skills, backed up by qualifications, experience and an ever-growing list of satisfied customers, I am aware there are other translators out there who are even better than me. My respect for their work gives me something to aspire to and reminds me that there is always room for improvement, even at the highest level.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Fairly II

Charlie Bavington — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:49:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Charlie Bavington
Post title: Fairly II

[quote]neilmac wrote:

(Pax Odile)... Maybe it's a cultural thing - modesty, British reserve, etc . [/quote]

That and a dash of understatement.

I've only come across the work of a couple of people who described themselves as excellent. In both cases the work was anything but. I never trust anyone who would rate themselves as excellent, in any field or circumstance.

The website could usefully generate revenue from this poll, selling the list of people who select "excellent" with the filename "Translators to avoid". I'd give 'em five bucks for it.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Fairly

neilmac — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:40:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: neilmac
Post title: Fairly

(Pax Odile)... Maybe it's a cultural thing - modesty, British reserve, etc . Maybe I should have chosen "very"... although "extremely" would be pushing my luck... Pride comes before a fall...

[Edited at 2015-11-03 08:41 GMT]

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Very confident

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:31:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Post title: Very confident

After 30 years working full-time, plus a few more part-time, I have to be very confident in myself, though from time to time when I’m in the middle of a long project I may have a self-doubt moment or two… But then I dust myself off, take as espresso coffee and get right back into it!

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | I'd be alarmed ...

Armorel Young — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:28:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Armorel Young
Post title: I'd be alarmed ...

... if more people rated themselves as "extremely confident", because it might suggest that those people are arrogant and see no scope for improvement. That may be partly a cultural thing (a bit like answering Kudoz questions with the maximum confidence level). Translation is such a wide field that no one could be "extremely confident" in all areas - I have no doubts about my ability to do a good job in my particular specialisms, but offer me a technical specification for a nuclear power station to translate and my confidence level drops to zero (OK, I wouldn't accept the assignment, but that's not the point.) Perhaps the one thing I am confident of is my ability to distinguish what I can do well from what I can't.

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Very confident

Julian Holmes — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:25:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Julian Holmes
Post title: Very confident

But not overly confident - we are all human and, by definition, prone to mistakes. And, for customers/clients, how few mistakes you make is an indicator of how good you are as a translator. IMHO

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills? | Believe in yourself

Odile Breuvart — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:15:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: Odile Breuvart
Post title: Believe in yourself

I am surprised, a bit alarmed, that so few people rate themselves as extremely confident. Why call oneself a translator if there is so much doubt about one's ability?

Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?

ProZ.com Staff — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:10:01 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How confident are you in your translation skills?
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How confident are you in your translation skills?".

This poll was originally submitted by Natalia Pedrosa. View the poll results »