| Страниц в теме: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you feel successful as a translator or interpreter? Автор темы: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you feel successful as a translator or interpreter?".
This poll was originally submitted by changwinnie. View the poll results »
| | | | Nicole Schnell 
США
Local time: 05:55
английский => немецкий
+ ...
Памяти
Because I have somehow managed to stick to my guns, even if I have lost many "opportunities" on the way. Result? My clients are hand-selected, we are equal partners, and I happily put my signature on every little bit I do.
| | | | Ikram Mahyuddin
Индонезия
Local time: 19:55
английский => индонезийский
+ ...
I am still lack of clients, but I like this job
| | | | Marc Cordes
Польша
Local time: 14:55
английский => немецкий
+ ...
I would have never thought that it could be that (relatively) easy to start in this industry. I can make a living and finally got out of the standard rat race. Just the fact that I do not have a boss who tells me when to come in each day is PRICELESS! Of course this way of working also has its downsides but all in all the pros outweigh the cons a LOT.
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Julian Holmes
Япония
Local time: 21:55
Член ProZ.com c 2011
японский => английский
| Yes, most definitely | Jul 2, 2013 |
However, self-perception - hopefully not self aggrandizement - can be a deceptive thing. I wish that increased personal achievements and satisfaction would equate with a proportional increase in financial gains.
I seriously wonder when our profession will be ranked alongside that of doctors and lawyers, in both social esteem and earnings? Hmmm......
@Nicole
I do share your pride.
... See more However, self-perception - hopefully not self aggrandizement - can be a deceptive thing. I wish that increased personal achievements and satisfaction would equate with a proportional increase in financial gains.
I seriously wonder when our profession will be ranked alongside that of doctors and lawyers, in both social esteem and earnings? Hmmm......
@Nicole
I do share your pride.
Julian H. ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Испания
Local time: 14:55
испанский => английский
+ ...
| Yes, somewhat | Jul 2, 2013 |
I see so many ropey transations and howlers out there that I reckon I'm pretty sound most of the time.
Nevertheless, pride comes before a fall. The other week a client cryptically commented that his end client had complained about a "serious mistake" in one of my translations, but without specifying what the error was. I looked over the translated text and couldn't see anything wrong with it, so replied rather stroppily than I thought the translation was fine. However, it subsequent... See more I see so many ropey transations and howlers out there that I reckon I'm pretty sound most of the time.
Nevertheless, pride comes before a fall. The other week a client cryptically commented that his end client had complained about a "serious mistake" in one of my translations, but without specifying what the error was. I looked over the translated text and couldn't see anything wrong with it, so replied rather stroppily than I thought the translation was fine. However, it subsequently turned out that I had only been looking at the words, where the mistake was in a number (in Spanish, the common term for a fortnight or two weeks is literally "15 días", literally 15 days , which, in a hurry or lapse of focus, I had blithely translated as 15 weeks....
I haven't been so mortified for ages, but I do think it's good to have a reality check from time to time. Pobody's nerfect... ▲ Collapse
| | | | DianeGM
Local time: 15:55
Член ProZ.com c 2006
голландский => английский
+ ...
I think I must be somewhat. I am not competing or comparing with anyone though. I don't get much feedback but I have been freelance for almost 10 years now and I still have many clients I had when I started out, so I think I must be doing something right.
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 08:55
английский => испанский
+ ...
| Define parameters | Jul 2, 2013 |
Successful? As Julian hinted, the term can be used for self-aggrandizement. To me, it carries the stench of cheap marketing scripting and typical American self-promotion (and I'm American).
Therefore, I refuse to qualify what I do as successful or unsuccesful. Practicing a profession is a continuum. Not all of us have the same origins or share the same circumstances or opportunities, and it goes beyond individual distinguishing capabilities or skills.
I may say that I s... See more Successful? As Julian hinted, the term can be used for self-aggrandizement. To me, it carries the stench of cheap marketing scripting and typical American self-promotion (and I'm American).
Therefore, I refuse to qualify what I do as successful or unsuccesful. Practicing a profession is a continuum. Not all of us have the same origins or share the same circumstances or opportunities, and it goes beyond individual distinguishing capabilities or skills.
I may say that I successfully completed a project or assignment, but that's it.
I prefer to feel satisfied, content, pleased, etc. with what I do, and excited about what I can still do. ▲ Collapse
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Balasubramaniam L.
Индия
Local time: 18:25
Член ProZ.com c 2006
английский => хинди
+ ...
ЛОКАЛИЗАТОР САЙТА
I have kept the wolf off the door for all the time I have been a full time freelance translator and that is a measure of my success.
When I chucked up a reasonably secure job for a freelancing career, there were quite a few doubting Thomases around, who doubted my sanity. Now they are more or less silenced, which is another measure of my success.
On a more serious note, I have many successful clients who repose their confidence in my translation abilities again and agai... See more I have kept the wolf off the door for all the time I have been a full time freelance translator and that is a measure of my success.
When I chucked up a reasonably secure job for a freelancing career, there were quite a few doubting Thomases around, who doubted my sanity. Now they are more or less silenced, which is another measure of my success.
On a more serious note, I have many successful clients who repose their confidence in my translation abilities again and again, and that is a more reliable sign that I am a successful translator. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Yaotl Altan
Мексика
Local time: 06:55
Член ProZ.com c 2006
английский => испанский
+ ...
Yes, people from several countries offer me work. That's a good parameter.
| | | | Julian Holmes
Япония
Local time: 21:55
Член ProZ.com c 2011
японский => английский
discussion is just beginning to pick up
What are your parameters for gauging success as a translator?
Comments so far lean more towards job satisfaction than the monetary or financial side. Would be interested to see what you all think ....
Julian H.
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I make a living from it, which is what a job is for, so yes I'm successful
I also think I'm good at it, but that's a different matter altogether
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Allison Wright (X)
Португалия
Local time: 13:55
Saying yes does not preclude there being room for improvement. Could I be more successful (whatever you take that term to mean)? Yes.
| | | | Balasubramaniam L.
Индия
Local time: 18:25
Член ProZ.com c 2006
английский => хинди
+ ...
ЛОКАЛИЗАТОР САЙТА | Some parameters that could be relevant | Jul 2, 2013 |
Julian Holmes wrote:
What are your parameters for gauging success as a translator?
Julian H.
1. The ability to demand and get a rate that you think is commensurate with your skills and your needs.
2. The ability to limit yourself to the type of translation work that you enjoy doing, while at the same time meeting your financial goals. That is, you are able to avoid hack work altogether.
3. Receiving recognition from those for whom you work, which could be in various forms - repeat work, appreciation for a job well done, timely payment, etc.
4. The ability to take adequate breaks, rests, holidays and do other non-translation pursuits which are necessary for leading a holistic human life, and at the same time being able to meet your financial goals.
5. The ability to earn enough to support your future needs (this point is indirectly covered in point 1, but could do with further emphasis here).
| | | | Yuri Radcev
Local time: 15:55
английский => русский
+ ...
| definitely, it's not a success story | Jul 2, 2013 |
translating...on one hand, it gives me money and freedom. at least, a sort of.
on the other - it's an obvious downshifting from what I've used to do.
wearing two hats, but sitting between two chairs.
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