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Seeking practical examples of professionalism in translation Thread poster: IvyMa
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IvyMa
Local time: 12:12
English to Chinese
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Hi! Dear translators,
I am currently writing a paper on the professional issue in translating, and I need some practical examples to refer to in this paper. However I am only a starter and learning theories in the university. Therefore, please help and share some experience on freelance translating. Thanks a million!!!
Yuan
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Phil Hand 
China
Local time: 19:12
Chinese to English
| You could start with these | Jan 11, 2013 |
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| Professionalism in translation. | Jan 11, 2013 |
1. Thorough knowledge of the target and source languages.
2. Knowledge of the basics of linguistics.
3. Knowledge of computer programs and CAT tools.
4. Relevant education.
5. Participation in seminars and training sessions.
6. Membership in professional associations.
7. Accuracy of translation as an aim.
8. Self-development and aiming for perfection.
9. Professional ethics (a professional translator never lets any client dictate the terms, nor do... See more 1. Thorough knowledge of the target and source languages.
2. Knowledge of the basics of linguistics.
3. Knowledge of computer programs and CAT tools.
4. Relevant education.
5. Participation in seminars and training sessions.
6. Membership in professional associations.
7. Accuracy of translation as an aim.
8. Self-development and aiming for perfection.
9. Professional ethics (a professional translator never lets any client dictate the terms, nor does he work for rates below what is fair, based on the complexity of the profession and high level of education required.
10. A professional translator does not cheat his clients, nor does he neglect any complaints the client might have.
11. A professional translator does not use MT, pretending that he performed the work himself.
12. A professional translator strives to protect all the languages from deterioration.
13. He knows the protocol.
14. He is kind, honest, and trustworthy. (This applies to female translators as well -- I just used a generic he). He does not reveal any information which is a part of the confidentiality agreement. He does not steal clients from the companies he works for. This is most of what I can think about right now.
[Edited at 2013-01-11 11:17 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Ty Kendall
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:12
Hebrew to English
| Professionalism.... | Jan 11, 2013 |
...is not lying about your native language.
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Joakim Braun
Sweden
Local time: 13:12
German to Swedish
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15. Stylistic skill and sense of context. Translator writes with clarity and verve (many don't). Translator does NOT translate from a dictionary or mindlessly accept CAT terms, concordances and superficial similarities.
16. Translator handles payment issues professionally by checking out and initiating relevant small-claims procedures, rather than writing angry e-mails to customer and venting on translator forums.
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| Yes, lying about your native languages would be bad too. | Jan 11, 2013 |
Any kind of lying does not appear to be a sign of professionalism.
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| Professional, professionalism etc. | Jan 11, 2013 |
IMO, these "pro-" words have been largely overused for several years and I tend to like them less and less, as it is the case with words and phrases like "resources", "best rate" or "competitive edge". Those words are weed that has infestated English through the advertising lingo.
To me, being a professional means working in a way that is in line with basic ethics rules and that produces results that make your clients happy.
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Joakim Braun
Sweden
Local time: 13:12
German to Swedish
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Usually someone who says "I'm a professional" isn't quite.
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| Professional really means: with relevant education working in the profession for remuneration. | Jan 11, 2013 |
Professional mens that the person has the right education in the field, works in the profession and does the job to the high standards.
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Russell Jones
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:12
Italian to English
| Clarification | Jan 11, 2013 |
IvyMa wrote:
I need some practical examples to refer to
Hi Yuan
Do you mean by this that you are looking for some "case studies", or similar, rather than the definitions of professionalism that have been suggested so far?
[Edited at 2013-01-11 14:03 GMT]
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| Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member because it was not in line with site rule |
IvyMa
Local time: 12:12
English to Chinese
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TOPIC STARTER | practical examples | Jan 11, 2013 |
Exactly! Thanks Russell, I need some practical examples from you guys as experienced freelance translators, i.e. which case that you've accepted had influence you or taught you a lesson, things like that. Or maybe good things as well.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Russell Jones wrote: IvyMa wrote:
I need some practical examples to refer to Hi Yuan Do you mean by this that you are looking for some "case studies", or similar, rather than the definitions of professionalism that have been suggested so far? [Edited at 2013-01-11 14:03 GMT]
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Examples:
A beginning translator goes to the country of his/her source language to study and live there for two years to gain some real knowledge and experience which would allow him/her to understand the language better (especially its colloquial form) and the culture.
An aspiring translator participates in various translation conferences and seminars.
A serious translator reads news on current research in linguistics and translation.
The t... See more Examples:
A beginning translator goes to the country of his/her source language to study and live there for two years to gain some real knowledge and experience which would allow him/her to understand the language better (especially its colloquial form) and the culture.
An aspiring translator participates in various translation conferences and seminars.
A serious translator reads news on current research in linguistics and translation.
The translator reads newspapers and magazines in his source language (hope I don't have to mention the target language) on a daily basis, and reads some literature in this language as well.
A professional translator tries to improve his specialized vocabulary in both languages (the target and the source) through reading relevant literature and participation in various conferences.
A professional translator does not accept starvation rates from clients with certain budgets (usually based on the desire to make as much money as possible for themselves) but rather sticks to his/her minimum rate, even if that entailed doing a different type of work for a while -- just out of professional ethics and not to further ruin the profession. (jobs like typing, answering phones, waiting tables, etc.)
I could go on for a few pages, but this might be all for now. ▲ Collapse
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IvyMa
Local time: 12:12
English to Chinese
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TOPIC STARTER | Very helpful | Jan 13, 2013 |
Thank you very much Phil! The links are quite useful.
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| Having a stye in the eye | Apr 25, 2013 |
It is very unprofessional to insult fellow translators in forums, as is bullying and other similar behaviours.
Richard Pérez-Mongard
www.sinclavos.cl
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