ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | The question should have included the word "freelance,"

Trudy Peters — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 18:37:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Trudy Peters
Post title: The question should have included the word "freelance,"

since in-house translators don't have the freedom and flexibility freelancers have.

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | intellectual challenge and good pay!

Mariana Toscano — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 17:13:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Mariana Toscano
Post title: intellectual challenge and good pay!

It´s hard to choose only one option! I find all of your answers very interesting and I see there is an overall feeling of bliss!
Being responsible for building a bridge between two languages in order to make communication possible is an intellectual challenge for me! I enjoy the research, the writing and especially the constant learning! And, of course, I do it for the money too! ;)
Being a translator is a lovely combination of work and pleasure! :)

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | That will change, Rebecca!

JaneTranslates — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:55:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: JaneTranslates
Post title: That will change, Rebecca!

[quote]Rebecca Garber wrote:

I tend to keep pretty scheduled hours anyway, as they are often dictated by others (I can't sleep until 10, since I need to get the kid to school).

[/quote]

Some day (bittersweet truth) the kid will no longer need you to get him to school. I didn't "turn pro" as a translator until my last kid went off to college!

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | puzzles

Rebecca Garber — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 14:59:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Rebecca Garber
Post title: puzzles

I like the challenge of working with texts and solving the problems. I learn something form every text, which keeps things interesting. I also like working with languages, so there were 2 answers I would have picked.

I don't often work in my specialty area, the pay keeps us fed but not off on cruises, working alone has its ups and downs, and I tend to keep pretty scheduled hours anyway, as they are often dictated by others (I can't sleep until 10, since I need to get the kid to school).

Interesting replies, though.

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | Getting paid for learning everyday

Cecilia Civetta — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 13:15:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Cecilia Civetta
Post title: Getting paid for learning everyday

Yes, this is definitely what I like most!!
So I chose Intellectual challenge, and in the second place comes Good pay.

[quote]Anne-Hélène Bernard wrote:

...all is said! I love this job! I enjoy the challenge and having to read through all kind of documents to finally find the right wording.
I also enjoy flexible hours. I sometimes work 20 hours in a row and know that the next day is going to be a great sunny day and that I'll have plenty of time to go to the beach... :)
[/quote]

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | I can't vote...

Sandra C. (X) — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 13:01:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Sandra C. (X)
Post title: I can't vote...

...because for me, too, it's all of the above... I honestly can't choose one over the others ;-)

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | A combination of factors

Reed James — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:56:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Reed James
Post title: A combination of factors

I answered "working alone" because I love being responsible for everything I do and not having to rely on a co-worker or boss for instructions or help. I think that having the huge responsibility of doing everything by myself and for myself is what motivates me to constantly improve my translating and business skills.

Reed

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | A combination of several things

Monika Coulson — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:23:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Monika Coulson
Post title: A combination of several things

Freedom / Flexibility ONLY probably won't do it for me, since there is freedom/flexibility with a few other jobs, or even better, if I decided to be a stay-at-home mom ;).

But this Freedom and Flexibility, combined with a Good Pay, with the fun I get Working with Languages, with the Intellectual Challenge, Learning, Helping others etc. does it.

Happy translating and interpreting,
Monika :D

p.s. I am surprised at how few people answered Good Pay (less than 4%: wow!)

[Edited at 2006-04-20 12:45]

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | I do it for the money... all else comes in second place

Dyran Altenburg (X) — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:52:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Dyran Altenburg (X)
Post title: I do it for the money... all else comes in second place

With the dismal rates being offered/accepted for many (most?) jobs here, I guess it's not surprising that people seem not to care much about doing what is required to earn good money with this profession (think managerial level, with lots of perks).

A real pity.

--
Dyran

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | the basic question here is what motivates me?

Gillian Scheibelein — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 09:13:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Gillian Scheibelein
Post title: the basic question here is what motivates me?

what makes me ENJOY sitting in front of a computer instead of being in the garden on a beautiful sunny day? It is the intellectual challenge to keep learning about all sorts of new topics - even within my own field - and to solve what initially appears to be an intractable sentence. Ahh, the buzz I get when a particular knotty problem has been unravelled. And I get paid for this bliss ?? !!

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | different answer

ilker ingiz — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 08:30:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: ilker ingiz
Post title: different answer

3 year I would answer "I don't like this job, I hate it more than everything", but some positive Experiences with good translation agencys have changed my mind. I love to be free and to work whenever I want.

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | getting paid for learning everyday

Anne-Hélène Bernard — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 08:16:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Anne-Hélène Bernard
Post title: getting paid for learning everyday

...all is said! I love this job! I enjoy the challenge and having to read through all kind of documents to finally find the right wording.
I also enjoy flexible hours. I sometimes work 20 hours in a row and know that the next day is going to be a great sunny day and that I'll have plenty of time to go to the beach... :)

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | Freedom and creativity

EmmanuelleAn (X) — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 08:06:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: EmmanuelleAn (X)
Post title: Freedom and creativity

I love the freedom this job gave me.

I love working at night when almost the entire city is asleep.
I don't know why but this atmosphere sort of boosts creativity. It's a very special atmosphere.

I love the idea that I donot have a 9 to 5 job. I don't think I could have coped with that!

Then, I'd say I really like the intellectual challenge and even more when you have to be creative with words. For instance, I do enjoy translating slogans and advertising material.

Have a nice day everyone!

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | intellectual challenge

Petra Van Caneghem — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 07:27:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Petra Van Caneghem
Post title: intellectual challenge

Intellectual challenge is definitely the biggest advantage for me.
I just love to get a difficult text, 'throw myself into it', make a translation and please the customer.
Nothing is nicer for me than to receive an e-mail saying 'the customer is impressed' or 'the customer is very satisfied'.

For the past 3 years I have been in a dull job (because of the children), with no responsibility, no challenge whatsoever...
Since last year I have started freelance translating again (I had been translating on and off the past 10 years), and the satisfaction I get from this is more than I had expected.
I have really missed that. Again now I feel I can do something.

And of course the freedom to plan your work...

No I would definitely not go back to a 9 to 5 job!

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | Knowledge

RB Translations — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 06:54:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: RB Translations
Post title: Knowledge

The thing I like the most about this profession is the sheer variety of texts I get to work on and that maybe I would never read otherwise. I like the fact that I can learn something new from every new assignment, all the interesting facts I discover while working.

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | I like translating because...

Balasubramaniam L. — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 06:17:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Balasubramaniam L.
Post title: I like translating because...

... I like translating... and writing. :-)

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | Really hard to choose between two...

JaneTranslates — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 06:01:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: JaneTranslates
Post title: Really hard to choose between two...

Freedom, and working with languages.

My love of working with languages got me this career.

This career got me freedom.

I use my freedom to work/play with languages.

Oh, how I love working till 2 AM when I'm on a roll and not having to get up till 10 the next morning!

Oh, how I love being on a roll, when the solutions flow and the words feel just right!

I could make more money, and maybe have almost as much fun, at a job with regular hours. But then...I would have to work regular hours!

I'm too spoiled.

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | Entrepeneurship

Stephen Rifkind — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 05:30:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Stephen Rifkind
Post title: Entrepeneurship

I know that many translators come from (and are still part of) the world of academia. I love the combination of academia and translation. It is a pleasure to see a direct relation between work and money. All right, it may always be "enough", but if you work hard, you send out an invoice and eventually receive the money. That is quite different from teaching, where you are paid whether you work hard or not, unless you show up drunk or hastle a female student. There is no connection between level of investment and pay. So, entrepeneurship is fun, at least for me.

Stephen Rifkind

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | The idle truth

Johanna Timm, PhD — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 05:17:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Johanna Timm, PhD
Post title: The idle truth

[quote]GoodWords wrote:
Writing: I like being a writer without having to think up what I am going to write. [/quote]

I confess I 'm just crazy about hot tub manuals...and boy am I glad that I don't have to write them myself ;)

johanna

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | Agree completely!

Heidi C — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 03:59:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Heidi C
Post title: Agree completely!

[quote]GoodWords wrote:

Translation: I like the satisfaction of solving a difficult puzzle with diligent research, creativity, or a combination of both.

Translation/Writing: I like the feeling when the words begin to flow with little conscious effort (although those moments are no doubt enabled by much subconscious experience and knowledge).

Writing: I like being a writer without having to think up what I am going to write. [/quote]

Couldn't have said it better!!! (great minds think alike?)

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | I agree..

Anne McLaren — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 02:40:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Anne McLaren
Post title: I agree..

[quote]Henry Hinds wrote:

ALL OF THE ABOVE... except for "Good Pay", perhaps, no, not perhaps, definitely.

ALL OF THE ABOVE... except "Good Pay".

I do it for all those reasons, except "Good Pay". I, like all, have to take what I can get, so maybe that would be "so I can eat".
[/quote]

I agree with Henry. I would choose "All of the Above" if there were one, even the pay!
Anne

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | Reasons

Yaotl Altan — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 02:28:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Yaotl Altan
Post title: Reasons

Flexibility, the freedom to translate in a beach or at home.
The pay is not bad :)

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | Where is... ????

Henry Hinds — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 02:14:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Henry Hinds
Post title: Where is... ????

ALL OF THE ABOVE... except for "Good Pay", perhaps, no, not perhaps, definitely.

ALL OF THE ABOVE... except "Good Pay".

I do it for all those reasons, except "Good Pay". I, like all, have to take what I can get, so maybe that would be "so I can eat".

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | Translating / writing as such

Margaret Schroeder — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 01:21:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: Margaret Schroeder
Post title: Translating / writing as such

Translation: I like the satisfaction of solving a difficult puzzle with diligent research, creativity, or a combination of both.

Translation/Writing: I like the feeling when the words begin to flow with little conscious effort (although those moments are no doubt enabled by much subconscious experience and knowledge).

Writing: I like being a writer without having to think up what I am going to write.

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator? | It's a pity you can't select multiple options.....

KathyT — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 01:16:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: KathyT
Post title: It's a pity you can't select multiple options.....

There are several I would have liked to choose..... :-)

Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?

ProZ.com Staff — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 01:09:04 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What do you like best about being a translator?
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What do you like best about being a translator?".

View the poll here

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