| דפים בנושא: < [1 2 3] | Real names in profiles מפרסם התגובה: Cecilia Falk
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Williamson 
הממלכה המאוחדת
Local time: 11:30
מפלמית לאנגלית
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| Like dolphins can swim.... | Nov 17, 2006 |
A call to ask an agency about payment for a translation.
"We don't seem to find you invoice".
"Well, it's that with the dolphin on the heading. Ah,that one. Yes, i've seen it somewhere".
Even before Proz existed, I chose a symbol, an icon a nd a name (with the Coca-cola, Nova-...translations in mind) which is on stationary, invoices etc...
and I don't intend to change it.
"Williamson" as a name does not need a translation. It is the same in every languag... See more A call to ask an agency about payment for a translation.
"We don't seem to find you invoice".
"Well, it's that with the dolphin on the heading. Ah,that one. Yes, i've seen it somewhere".
Even before Proz existed, I chose a symbol, an icon a nd a name (with the Coca-cola, Nova-...translations in mind) which is on stationary, invoices etc...
and I don't intend to change it.
"Williamson" as a name does not need a translation. It is the same in every language, albeit with the accent of the speaker.
And the dolphin above the symbol is easily recongizable. I still have to have a big sticker made to put it on the window of my car.
--
Suggestion and question :
However, this discussion would be superfluous if we could use both alternately: There is a possibility to show your own face followed by a symbol or an icon and there must a possibility to show both a general/company name followed by your own???
[Edited at 2006-11-17 14:12] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | safety reasons | Nov 17, 2006 |
Henry Hinds wrote:
4.- Some make themselves anonymous in their profile yet then include their CV with their true identity and contact information. Come again?
I used to be one of these people . Finally I decided to put both my real name and picture BUT on the other hand I deleted all of my contact info from my CV (except for my cell phone) because I started getting creepy phone calls at the strangest times. Coincidence? Perhaps, but I'd rather not risk it. My e-mail and cell-phone should do it.
I honestly see nothing wrong with using an alias, given that the Internet is a public place, as some people pointed out. Disclosing the real ID can become an annoyance and, if you're unlucky, a real [legal and $$] hassle.
A couple of months ago I was simply "ariffo", with neither picture nor clues regarding my gender. The moment I switched to my real name and let it be known I'm female I started receiving 2 or 3 daily requests in my hotmail messenger (and lately, skype) accounts from people who have nothing whatsoever to do with translation and introduce themselves with "Hello, U wan2 xat?" and the like.
It clearly says "Work related contacts only", people!!! Going back to being faceless "ariffo" is becoming more and more appealing.
Henry Hinds wrote:
Finally, would you give a job to someone called "katzgalore" with a picture of a cat, a symbol, a cartoon character or a child in their profile?
Would you extend them credit?
I, for one, would not.
Personally? Probably not, but there are certainly differences between using an alias such as "first name initial + last name" "name + year", etc. and using "yui_casuda" or the like (for the record, I don't know whether there is a yui_casuda on ProZ... but I once received a CV -hard copy- with the contact email "yui_casuda@..." and another one from "skater65@..."). The same goes for pictures, I guess.
[Edited at 2006-11-17 21:54]
| | | | | Reply to Siegfried | Nov 17, 2006 |
[quote]Siegfried Armbruster wrote:
How is it possible to calculate the age from a name or are you referring to the members who are not showing their real pictures. Your picture definitely supports the impression that you do not belong to this young and not so experienced group.
My response:
I don't know about you Siegfried, but I've learned to make basic inferences from readily observable data. Thus, when I see a half-empty profile that indicates two years of experience and does not list any professional training or accomplishments, I assume that the person behind the profile lacks experience and that, possibly, he or she may also be younger (for if they were older and lacking experience, I would expect some reference to their non-translation work experience).
I also make this deduction on the basis of the arguments used to justify and defend answers, respond to criticism, etc.
By the way, and to address your second point, I did not indicate that I had any problem with members who choose not to show their photos, which I don't regard as a basic requirement.
You observed:
BTW photography has been available for more than 100 years, you should consider updating your picture from time to time.
My response:
Now, Ziggy, I am quite aware of this but, like you, I simply choose not to post my own photo. Surely you don't have a problem with that, do you?
Have a nice day.
Bob
| | | | | So many different kinds of clients with different attitudes | Nov 17, 2006 |
Finally, would you give a job to someone called "katzgalore" with a picture of a cat, a symbol, a cartoon character or a child in their profile?
I smell some generalising here, Henry. Maybe you are thinking of your own standards and fields like law. BUT if you are a translator of advertisements, computer games or manga comic books ....
Oh, by the way some potential customer might think that a translator with sunglasses has something to hide.
I have had positive reactions about my nickname, namely by colleagues. And I have already attracted clients via my profile. Even a very nice wholesaler of bulbs (tulips etc.).:grin:
Regards Steffi
P.S. A lot of catchy nicks here.
I like JaneTranslates, Jabberwocky,Jalapeno.
P.S.S. Also a lot of nice real names like Jerzy Czopik which I like to read aloud, cause it sounds lovely, or Gabi Francois - a perfect name for FR>German.
[Edited at 2006-11-17 20:34]
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Henry Hinds
ארצות הברית
Local time: 04:30
מאנגלית לספרדית
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נזכור
"I smell some generalising here, Henry. Maybe you are thinking of your own standards and fields like law. BUT if you are a translator of advertisements, computer games or manga comic books ...."
Of course. We all have to generalize. Those are my standards; now if you wish to apply others, go ahead, but do so at your own risk!
"Oh, by the way some potential customer might think that a translator with sunglasses has something to hide".
As you can see the phot... See more "I smell some generalising here, Henry. Maybe you are thinking of your own standards and fields like law. BUT if you are a translator of advertisements, computer games or manga comic books ...."
Of course. We all have to generalize. Those are my standards; now if you wish to apply others, go ahead, but do so at your own risk!
"Oh, by the way some potential customer might think that a translator with sunglasses has something to hide".
As you can see the photo was taken outdoors and in fact the glasses are photochromatic. But for the record I have blue eyes so I often use glasses with even greater protection from the sun, plus a cap with visor.
However, I always work without glasses so maybe you have a point there.
Certainly this issue is not dead. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Lia Fail (X)
ספרד
Local time: 12:30
מספרדית לאנגלית
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Cecilia Falk wrote:
Hi,
One thing I have been wondering for some time is what the reason is not to use one’s real name in the profiles. I am sincerely curious. Is it because of bad experiences on the Internet, or something else?
Best regards,
Cecilia
I used to use my real name, but I changed it when I realised that forum content was available on the WWW, and given what used to go on in the forums (not so much now), in terms of bickering and insults, etc, I was a bit embarrassed to be associated with them. That said, it really made no difference as there is a name trail, so it's easy to identify me under my real name (which might seem fictitious to some) or under my pseudonym (which might appear more real to some)! That is: Ailish Maher / Lia Fáil.
However, I'm now somewhat of the opinion that as professionals we should use our trading names, be they our real names or company names. Yet there is also a privacy issue when one uses one's real name. I have had similar problems with people contacting me through Skype as Andrea Riffo mentions, and although using a pseudonym wouldn't resolve that problem, one feels a small degree protected when one's real name, which is so identified with us in our private life, is not bandied around in the vastly public WWW.
[Edited at 2006-11-19 13:11]
And I have to say that dogs, cats etc strike me as odd. But most of all babies. It seems like an invasion of that little human's rights! Maybe 20 years on that grown-up baby might have something to say about that.
[Edited at 2006-11-19 13:12]
| | | | Marc P (X)
Local time: 12:30
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| Real names in profiles | Nov 19, 2006 |
Lia Fail wrote:
I used to use my real name, but I changed it when I realised that forum content was available on the WWW
That is unfortunately a fundamental flaw of this site, one which FLEFO, in its heyday, didn't suffer from. In fact, if the site content were to be accessible to paying members only, I would consider signing up: not merely in order to have access to the content, but because the privacy would be more conducive to open discussion between professionals. The low traffic here, only a fraction of what FLEFO's once was, bears this out.
Marc
| | | | teju
Local time: 04:30
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| Let's agree to disagree | Nov 19, 2006 |
texjax DDS PhD wrote:
There are many reasons why somebody might decide to use a fictitious name.
So true, texjax. As everyone can see, I'm one of those people who prefers a nickname. Just like other colleagues have already said, I do not log into ProZ to look for work. I can also understand how some people (not all) may prefer to hire a translator or interpreter who goes by his real name.
As far as a picture goes, I don't see what's the benefit of posting a picture. Can someone tell if I'm a good interpreter from looking at my picture? I don't think so. As we all know, we have no idea if someone uses somebody else's photo, or whether the picture is so outdated that you could not recognize the person even if you bumped into him. If you want to show your picture, great, if you don't, that's perfectly alright too.
The most important thing, in my opinion, is the quality of people's answers, whether they show professionalism in their comments in the forum or with their agrees, neutrals and disagrees. And if you are looking to hire someone, I would think that their profile and CV would carry much more weight than a monicker ever could. Imagine dismissing someone with a PhD and years of experience because she uses a nickname!
I'm lucky to have met Henry Hinds, who I frequently see at our translator's association meetings. He knows who I am. I have also met THE Henry at a conference, who's verified my ID. I've got nothing to hide. I think there are quite a lot of people in my language pair, who've gotten to "know" me through the years with my collaboration. I enjoy helping people out. Please count me among the minority who prefers to remain anonymous, but, if given a chance at a powow, will gladly introduce herself fully to anyone. Let's agree to disagree friends!
teju
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Inga Jakobi
גרמניה
Local time: 12:30
מסינית לגרמנית
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| I do not use my real name... | Jan 17, 2007 |
... because the name I use here has been my nickname since school days and there are still a lot of persons who do not use my real name but my nickname or even a nickname of the nickname. I often thought about changing to my real name to make my profile look more professionel, and I even switched to my real name, back to my nickname etc....
But some nicknames used here are really weird (but maybe others think about mine the same, who knows). I wonder more why people use these strange and s... See more ... because the name I use here has been my nickname since school days and there are still a lot of persons who do not use my real name but my nickname or even a nickname of the nickname. I often thought about changing to my real name to make my profile look more professionel, and I even switched to my real name, back to my nickname etc....
But some nicknames used here are really weird (but maybe others think about mine the same, who knows). I wonder more why people use these strange and sometiomes really silly pictures. Once there was a translator featured who had a very gruesome looking picture like the cover of a horror thriller and I thought to myself that I would never ever assign a job to someone using such an agressive picture.
I would also be interested if outsources feel like more giving a job to someone using a real name and his own picture (or at least a normal photograph as you never know, if it is their own...). I myself use a nickname because I sort of identify with it, but I would never use a cartoon or a dog's or anyone else's picture...
Regards,
Inga (my real name ) ▲ Collapse
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