ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | Maybe I'm wrong

Denis Fesik — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:46:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Denis Fesik
Post title: Maybe I'm wrong

But my experience (with hundreds of translation tests I have reviewed among other things) suggests that a translator who is also a perfectionist is hard to find these days. Being a perfectionist is not the best lot out there, so many translators prefer to take the easy route. I'd love to see my translations edited by someone who can meaningfully improve them, it's just that I don't remember the last time this happened. Even if my work gets edited by someone and then comes back to me, I usually find the output boring: all major translation decisions remain unchanged and all changes are minor (except where they correct actual mistakes I may have overlooked due to my less-than-perfect attention to detail). Maybe this means exactly what the thread title says, i. e. that I don't easily handle criticism. However, this is not the whole truth. When I realize I have been wrong about something, I do change my mind about it instead of sticking with my wrong ways by the magic of denial.

BTW, anyone who could read all the translation tests I checked would be surprised by how similar they are. Don't know if this can be explained by people using the same MT engine, but then if you look at my translations, you won't find a single one that reads like MT, so whenever I cite my own translations of the same tests in a review, my intention is to help the candidate to appreciate the difference. And yes, the difference is always huge and I'm always really happy to read a test translation that feels human. It's like finding a speck of gold in a sand dune (remembering a piece of news saying the travel industry is now offering you to go to Magadan or some other place in the Far East of Russia where you'll be able to mine your own gold if you're lucky)

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | My 2 cents

IrinaN (X) — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 13:48:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: IrinaN (X)
Post title: My 2 cents

Human perfection is a speculative and subjective thing by nature. Only nature itself is perfect. Perfection in my book means delivering correct information on time, getting paid on time and receiving another assignment after submitting the previous one, nothing else. Discovery of factual mistakes is not criticism, it’s a normal part of work in progress to be properly noted and taken care of accordingly.

Working exclusively with professional editors was my biggest stroke of luck over my entire translation career. I would always ask for a chance to see their final touches and enjoy it with all sincerity while pocketing gifts of their knowledge and talent for future use, but I have never taken it as criticism per se. Never in my life did I have to fight against a competitor disguised as an editor.

Theoretically, I would just shrug off any indications of some pretentious sweating over beautiful vs gorgeous; my usual reaction would be “Whatever.” Show me my real mistakes or just pay me and then go crazy butchering or “improving” my work, if it pleases you. Just don’t bother me again.

[Edited at 2024-07-20 15:44 GMT]

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | Poll: Polls are a waste of (most everyone's) time

Jean Dimitriadis — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 17:06:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Jean Dimitriadis
Post title: Poll: Polls are a waste of (most everyone's) time

Like much of the published content in general, which would benefit from remaining unpublished (and untranslated)...

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | Bait

Philip Lees — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:39:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Philip Lees
Post title: Bait

[quote]Charlie Bavington wrote:

[quote]Philip Lees wrote:

Any generalisation of this type is false. [/quote]

I see what you did there :)

Much like the well-known conundrum 'how tolerant should we be of intolerance', one wonders how effectively one can criticise generalisations without generalising.... [/quote]
Yes, well spotted. A few people sniffed around it, but nobody took the bait.

Well, I did live in Crete for many years. :)

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | not necessarily incompatible

Charlie Bavington — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:12:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Charlie Bavington
Post title: not necessarily incompatible

[quote]Kay Denney wrote:

I'm a perfectionist therefore my work is perfect.
[/quote]

Nicely put.
I've never minded valid criticism. I used to find non-native "corrections" particularly frustrating, but now I say my piece once and leave it at that. Le client est roi.
I think a thing can be both perfect (with the proviso that very little truly is) and not right. I might paint a wall perfectly, but if it's magnolia and it turns out the client really wanted beige, well... a "perfect" thing can still be open to criticism in some ways, I think :)

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | Other

Liena V. — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:09:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Liena V.
Post title: Other

I don't like such generalisations either. Translators may be more prone to it due to the nature of our work, but it is a common personality trait and not specific to any profession.

I like to think I handle criticism well because I rarely am offended by it and gladly accept anything I find useful, but I do become irritated if I find it irrelevant or have to explain something that seems obvious to me. Still, mostly because it feels like a waste of time and/or may have unfortunate consequences for me, otherwise I usually follow the rule "what other people think of me is none of my business" (unless it is, of course).

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | .

Kay Denney — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 10:53:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Kay Denney
Post title: .

I'd rather generalise saying "Good translators are perfectionists" ;-)

As a PM I found that very few translators would take any criticism well. It kind of goes hand in hand with the perfectionism. I'm a perfectionist therefore my work is perfect.

One sworn translator refused to reprint and stamp his translation with my corrections. He actually told me his work was perfect and slammed the phone down on me when I pointed out that the word "not" was missing in one of his sentences.

I have learned to take criticism graciously, it was a hard bitter pill to swallow. Sweetened by the fact that very often the criticism turns out not to be justified.

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | The ideal is to be a perfectionist AND humble when criticised

Christine Andersen — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 09:26:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Christine Andersen
Post title: The ideal is to be a perfectionist AND humble when criticised

Taking advice from others, even when they criticise, is the way to improve.

One of the early colleagues who really taught me a lot was a very humble person. He took criticism graciously - unless people went on too long and wasted his time! He was a great teacher, and knew a lot about almost anything.

He was definitely a perfectionist too, and a great self-critic. He explained that you should listen to critics - they might have a point, but you need not always do as they say!

Wise words.

I can remember several others when I think back.

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | ha !

Charlie Bavington — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 09:21:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Charlie Bavington
Post title: ha !

[quote]Philip Lees wrote:

Any generalisation of this type is false. [/quote]

I see what you did there :)

Much like the well-known conundrum 'how tolerant should we be of intolerance', one wonders how effectively one can criticise generalisations without generalising....

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | other

Alessandra Turconi — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 08:37:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Alessandra Turconi
Post title: other

I feel a bit of a perfectionist, but in terms of somebody who does her best to deliver a high quality work.
Does this give the term a negative connotation at this point? I hope not.
I welcome constructive criticism because I believe there's always room for improvement.

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | Good translators are perfectionists, but they are first and foremost professionals

Martina Maigret — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 08:11:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Martina Maigret
Post title: Good translators are perfectionists, but they are first and foremost professionals

While perfectionism may theoretically be a synonym for translating, its obsession with selecting the best term or expression to suit a context, a line of reasoning or a description, is and must be motivated by or applied to "external" strategic dimensions. Without them, translation needs wouldn’t exist...
What I mean is that translation skills and know-how don't exist if you haven't mastered the principles and values of the client, its culture, expectations and objectives.

Being able to act and constantly stimulate this knowledge around the end-customer's issues enables the translator to provide a value-added service, resulting in the best possible translation.

[Edited at 2024-07-17 08:18 GMT]

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | Impossible to generalise

Rachel Waddington — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 06:44:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Rachel Waddington
Post title: Impossible to generalise

I think it's impossible to generalise about translators' personalities and I wish people wouldn't do it.

I do think that the feedback process is made harder by the situation most of us work in. We don't usually have the opportunity to build up a face-to-face working relationship with the person providing feedback, so it's easy to take it personally or negatively. It also often comes with the (real or perceived) threat of penalties attached to it, which doesn't help.

Helpful, sensitively delivered feedback as part of a trusted and supportive working relationship is a wonderful thing and it's a shame that's not the norm for many.

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | Yes in my case

Iulia Parvu — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 05:27:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Iulia Parvu
Post title: Yes in my case

I handle criticism well by promptly addressing any mistakes I might have made. However, I must admit that having my errors pointed out feels like a knife to the heart. This is because I am very hard on myself, a trait stemming from a combination of perfectionism and ADHD.

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | Generalisation

Philip Lees — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:35:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Philip Lees
Post title: Generalisation

Any generalisation of this type is false.

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | How long this time?

Cilian O'Tuama — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 03:18:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Cilian O'Tuama
Post title: How long this time?

When should I expect my post to be vetted/approved?

My last one (concerning a smoothie recipe) took two(!) days.

Why all this screening/censorship? Am I dangerous?

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | Yes

Cilian O'Tuama — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 03:14:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Cilian O'Tuama
Post title: Yes

Indeed. Some people can't handle any form of criticism; their pride is at stake, they take it personally, as an affront, obviously not realising that it could perhaps help them improve (even further!) their understanding of a language or whatever, and perhaps even be grateful.
But it's only a site for helping (soon-to-be-replaced) human translators find translations.

But perfection is something very different. (The mods might move this to less-frequently-visited place - it's been happening a lot lately.)

I wish us well.

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" | Other

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 20:58:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Post title: Other

I hate generalizations and stereotypical thinking in general. So, I’ll speak only for myself: I tend to be a perfectionist, but I’m far from perfect. I admit I don’t handle criticism well, unless it's deserved, in which case I hasten to apologise and correct the mistake…

Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"

ProZ.com Staff — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 20:10:04 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question ""Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"".

View the poll results »