ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | But the poll said pedantic and obsessive

Angie Garbarino — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 07:31:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: But the poll said pedantic and obsessive

[quote]missdutch wrote:

If we change pedantic and obsessive with the more positively perceived thorough, accurate and perfectionist, I guess most would jump on the wagon, merrily chirping away – "Oh yeah, that's, like, totally me, guilty as charged!"
[/quote]

Not accurate and perfectionist... so your statement is useless.

[Edited at 2017-02-27 07:31 GMT]

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | True

The Shredder — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 07:38:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: The Shredder
Post title: True

[quote]missdutch wrote:

If we change pedantic and obsessive with the more positively perceived thorough, accurate and perfectionist, I guess most would jump on the wagon, merrily chirping away – "Oh yeah, that's, like, totally me, guilty as charged!"

[/quote]

But then the poll and the discussion would be a lot less revealing!

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | I hear you!

P.L.F. Persi (X) — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 06:30:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: P.L.F. Persi (X)
Post title: I hear you!

[quote]Chris S wrote:

Cool poll.

I fit that description. All professional translators probably should but most probably don't. [/quote]

Yep, unfortunately and definitely some don't, and then the bad, boring pedants have to clean up after the sloppy mess they leave...

We (I mean, the pedantic and obsessive ones, in my specific case, since I'm Asperger, which entails a whole lot of what is perceived as negative by the neurotypical) are in this profession, because we are like that and it's one of the tools in our boxes. (Of course, we also have to know what we're doing and – believe you me – we most certainly do, and we're jolly good at it.)

If we change pedantic and obsessive with the more positively perceived thorough, accurate and perfectionist, I guess most would jump on the wagon, merrily chirping away – "Oh yeah, that's, like, totally me, guilty as charged!"

I don't think those are negative characteristics, not in our line of work, anyway. And it doesn't mean knowing all the answers, far from that. But I don't think I speak only for myself, when I say that I always try my very best, ultimately because there is beauty in the ever frustrating, yet noble pursuit of perfection.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | Not pedantic

Mónica Algazi — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 01:03:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Mónica Algazi
Post title: Not pedantic

but obsessive, highly likely.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | I like it

The Shredder — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 20:47:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: The Shredder
Post title: I like it

Cool poll.

I fit that description. All professional translators probably should but most probably don't.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | Yes.

Yaotl Altan — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 20:02:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Yaotl Altan
Post title: Yes.

[quote]Mario Freitas wrote:

The vast majority of translators I know are nice, sociable and cooperative people. I made many friends in translator communities.

However, I can understand where this question came from. I have known several translators that are VERY pedantic and who think they are practically gods. Alhtough this happens in all professions, not only among translators, these people are quite irritating. If you take part in the KudoZ or Facebook translation forums, you'll see that many people spend a long time causing controversy on purpose, and having fun with that (likely their only source of fun), and these people really think they are superior to the others, and put people down highlighting small mistakes of the others and their own great qualities. I have learned to ignore this kind of people and not to reply their provoking comments, but there are MANY of them, and they are all around like a plague.

Even here in the quick polls, I've called the attention many times to the "always perfect" and "always the best possible answers". Among us, there are people who really think looking and sounding perfect is actually a self-promoting practice in forums, not realizing it's the exact opposite. Attracting criticism and hatred is never positive. [/quote]

Yes, I agree with you. I remember all that anger created by the "must have" fans when I stated I ddn't (and still don't) need a second monitor. What for? :)

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | No... and yes

Mario Freitas — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 19:49:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Mario Freitas
Post title: No... and yes

The vast majority of translators I know are nice, sociable and cooperative people. I made many friends in translator communities.

However, I can understand where this question came from. I have known several translators that are VERY pedantic and who think they are practically gods. Alhtough this happens in all professions, not only among translators, these people are quite irritating. If you take part in the KudoZ or Facebook translation forums, you'll see that many people spend a long time causing controversy on purpose, and having fun with that (likely their only source of fun), and these people really think they are superior to the others, and put people down highlighting small mistakes of the others and their own great qualities. I have learned to ignore this kind of people and not to reply their provoking comments, but there are MANY of them, and they are all around like a plague.

Even here in the quick polls, I've called the attention many times to the "always perfect" and "always the best possible answers". Among us, there are people who really think looking and sounding perfect is actually a self-promoting practice in forums, not realizing it's the exact opposite. Attracting criticism and hatred is never positive.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | False.

Yaotl Altan — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 19:42:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Yaotl Altan
Post title: False.

My ex mother-in-law was not a translator :)

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | No, obsession is not a virtue... never

Angie Garbarino — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 18:00:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: No, obsession is not a virtue... never

[quote]missdutch wrote:

Being neurodiverse, I am naturally pedantic and obsessive. In our profession, those are virtues, though. Let's hear it for us! [/quote]

Strange statement... and I agree that pedantic and obsessive people would be like that no matter what their profession.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | this stereotype might drive away potential translators

Vanya Marston — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 17:54:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Vanya Marston
Post title: this stereotype might drive away potential translators

This kind of stereotype or perception initially made me really reluctant to become a translator. And I think like most stereotypes, there's a grain of truth in there... but for the most part, while interacting with colleagues (primarily online), I've found other translators to be pretty flexible and laid-back.

Although I appreciate that people are seeing the positive side of these traits - that they help us in our job - I don't think being pedantic and obsessive actually helps anyone to be a better translator. All it does is make it impossible or very difficult to collaborate with others, which is a part of the job I've really enjoyed when I got the chance to do it (and maybe that's part of the problem, that many translators/editors are sequestered away so much that they don't see how other people do things...?).

That's my 2 cents :)

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | I take my work very seriously but when I'm not translating

writeaway — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 17:14:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: writeaway
Post title: I take my work very seriously but when I'm not translating

[quote]Mario Chavez wrote:

[quote]writeaway wrote:

and not necessarily the opinion of the author at all.
Some of the answers do however back my own opinion that translators seem to have a strong tendency to take themselves far too seriously. [/quote]

And I'm assuming that you're including yourself in this category, right?

It's been my experience that the younger generation tends to go for the “you're taking yourself too seriously” cop-out when nothing substantive can be offered as opinion or insight. [/quote]

my interests and my mind are elsewhere entirely. My work as a translator isn't my whole life (just my full time work) and when I'm with or chatting with colleagues, I tend to avoid talking shop. The colleagues I know who are somewhat pedantic and obsessive would be like that no matter what their profession. I may have an opinion about how something really should be translated but I'm not going to spend time and energy trying to discuss with someone who is already convinced they hold all the answers and isn't really open to discussion.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | Learned behaviour

Triston Goodwin — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 16:57:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Triston Goodwin
Post title: Learned behaviour

I obsess because I want to be paid :)

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | Too seriously

Mario Chavez (X) — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:17:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Mario Chavez (X)
Post title: Too seriously

[quote]writeaway wrote:

and not necessarily the opinion of the author at all.
Some of the answers do however back my own opinion that translators seem to have a strong tendency to take themselves far too seriously. [/quote]

And I'm assuming that you're including yourself in this category, right?

It's been my experience that the younger generation tends to go for the “you're taking yourself too seriously” cop-out when nothing substantive can be offered as opinion or insight.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | Deliberate provocation

Odile Breuvart — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:09:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Odile Breuvart
Post title: Deliberate provocation

Quotes are by nature subjective and striking.
The truth to be got here is that translation requires precision or a taste for details; which this quote affirms in a negative, reverse way.
Well done :)

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | LOL

Serena Basili — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 14:04:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Serena Basili
Post title: LOL

[quote]Charlie Bavington wrote:

This poll's been up for 3 hours and no-one's pointed out this is a case where the unambiguous "partly" would probably have been a better option than "partially".... :-) [/quote]

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | Innate or acquired?

Nikki Scott-Despaigne — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 13:45:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Nikki Scott-Despaigne
Post title: Innate or acquired?

Are translators naturally pedantic and obsessive? Maybe yes, maybe no. Over time, perhaps the more skilled translators become so to a certain extent!

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | It has nothing to do with being a translator

Natalia Pedrosa — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 12:23:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Natalia Pedrosa
Post title: It has nothing to do with being a translator

I was far more pedantic when I was younger than I am now as a translator.

Not much to do.

Ditto.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | Standards are slipping

Charlie Bavington — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 11:44:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Charlie Bavington
Post title: Standards are slipping

This poll's been up for 3 hours and no-one's pointed out this is a case where the unambiguous "partly" would probably have been a better option than "partially".... :-)

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | I assume(d) this just a provocative question

writeaway — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 11:30:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: writeaway
Post title: I assume(d) this just a provocative question

and not necessarily the opinion of the author at all.
Some of the answers do however back my own opinion that translators seem to have a strong tendency to take themselves far too seriously.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | No

Parrot — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 10:28:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Parrot
Post title: No

I left off teaching because I wasn't. Yes, I'm naturally aware of mistakes (and this can hit me at unpredictable moments), but I don't let it spoil my life. I don't consider that pedantic/obsessive.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | If I wasn't so pedantic and obsessive...

Noni Gilbert Riley — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 09:39:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Noni Gilbert Riley
Post title: If I wasn't so pedantic and obsessive...

...about getting it right, I wouldn't be half the translator I am. That touch of natural brilliance is the icing on the cake.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | Apologies

Mark Nathan — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 09:38:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Mark Nathan
Post title: Apologies

I too was slightly offended when I saw this poll.

I honestly don't remember suggesting it; if I did, it must have been many years ago!

I do remember reading an entertaining article, again several years ago, written by a French translator's partner, which described various aspects of their spouse's behaviour...

Perhaps having read this article, I was moved to suggest some sort of poll along these lines - i.e. poking gentle fun at translators' fascination with obscure points of terminology etc.

So, apologies to anyone who very reasonably resents the negative implications of the statement, if I am responsible for it, it was only meant in jest.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | Obsessive

Helen Hagon — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 09:31:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Helen Hagon
Post title: Obsessive

Obsessive yes, but not necessarily pedantic. That's my view, but my family may disagree :-) Pedantic, to my mind, implies something rather forceful and overbearing, but many of the translators I know are quite timid and shy. We have to be obsessive though, if not geeky, to spend all our days examining the minutiae of every word in a lengthy text, drafting and redrafting, and then checking and rechecking.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | I am

Gianluca Marras — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 09:29:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Gianluca Marras
Post title: I am

and I don't know if I have always been or I have been since I started working as a translator :-D

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | Hear, hear!

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 09:26:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Post title: Hear, hear!

[quote]neilmac wrote:

What to some is nothing more than thoroughness, truth seeking and trying to do the right thing may be termed "pedantic" by the less diligent. Likewise, some equally snide commentators may wilfully construe thoroughness and accuracy as some sort of obsession. I suppose that's their prerogative. I prefer to try to cultivate a less negatively judgemental attitude.

PS: I had to really make an effort to edit out my more scathing/borderline offensive retort.

[Edited at 2016-04-19 08:29 GMT] [/quote]

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | With Neilmac

Julian Holmes — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 08:55:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Julian Holmes
Post title: With Neilmac

[quote]neilmac wrote:

I had to really make an effort to edit out my more scathing/borderline offensive retort.

[Edited at 2016-04-19 08:29 GMT] [/quote]

Why edit it out?

In fact, I was going to suggest to the author of this poll that he steps outside and settle it like a gentleman with all the pollsters whose feathers will be ruffled by such a deliberately inflammatory assertion.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | I couldn't have said it better

P.L.F. Persi (X) — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 08:52:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: P.L.F. Persi (X)
Post title: I couldn't have said it better

[quote]neilmac wrote:

What to some is nothing more than thoroughness, truth seeking and trying to do the right thing may be termed "pedantic" by the less diligent. Likewise, some equally snide commentators may wilfully construe thoroughness and accuracy as some sort of obsession. I suppose that's their prerogative. I prefer to try to cultivate a less negatively judgemental attitude.

[Edited at 2016-04-19 08:29 GMT] [/quote]

Being neurodiverse, I am naturally pedantic and obsessive. In our profession, those are virtues, though. Let's hear it for us!

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | certain extent of

Erzsébet Ráczné Czopyk — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 08:33:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: Erzsébet Ráczné Czopyk
Post title: certain extent of

translators, maybe, yes. But generalize or state that - no. We are united in our differences.

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive." | Other

neilmac — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 08:28:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: neilmac
Post title: Other

What to some is nothing more than thoroughness, truth seeking and trying to do the right thing may be termed "pedantic" by the less diligent. Likewise, some equally snide commentators may wilfully construe thoroughness and accuracy as some sort of obsession. I suppose that's their prerogative. I prefer to try to cultivate a less negatively judgemental attitude.

PS: I had to really make an effort to edit out my more scathing/borderline offensive retort.

[Edited at 2016-04-19 08:29 GMT]

Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."

ProZ.com Staff — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 08:10:01 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question ""Translators are naturally pedantic and obsessive."".

This poll was originally submitted by Mark Nathan. View the poll results »