| صفحات الموضوع: [1 2] > | Poll: What position do you think is the best for a translator? ناشر الموضوع: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What position do you think is the best for a translator?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Thayenga 
ألمانيا
Local time: 06:08
عضو (2009)
أنجليزي إلى ألماني
+ ...
There is no such thing as "best position". Each "status" has its advantages and disadvantages. 
| | | |
What is meant by "the best position"? Do you mean money-wise?
If we are speaking money-wise, I would say that the best position would be as a UN/EU translator, but the UN has six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) and the EU has 24 official languages (Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Sloven... See more What is meant by "the best position"? Do you mean money-wise?
If we are speaking money-wise, I would say that the best position would be as a UN/EU translator, but the UN has six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) and the EU has 24 official languages (Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish). Obviously these posts are reserved to citizens from these countries. So, I couldn’t be a UN translator, but I was a EU translator for 20 years (1986-2006).
I'd say that the EU position suited me fine by then and freelancing suits me fine by now...
[Edited at 2016-10-10 09:16 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Julian Holmes
اليابان
Local time: 13:08
عضو (2011)
ياباني إلى أنجليزي
Everyone in this poll will reply by what is best for them - and not for others - in their own current situation. We all know that personal circumstances change due to external factors such as family, economy, market trends, etc. etc.
So, please explain the relevance of this question to me. 
| | |
|
|
|
| Whichever suits the translator's preferences, experience and background | Oct 10, 2016 |
It is impossible to say without pointing at an individual translator and taking other factors into consideration.
There is a certain prestige in working for big international bodies like the EU and UN, but the fees offered for work on EU contracts is not always the best. Those who are good at it and can produce the kinds of texts required seem to make a good living, however.
An engineering specialist would probably do better working for big industrial clients who needed his/he... See more It is impossible to say without pointing at an individual translator and taking other factors into consideration.
There is a certain prestige in working for big international bodies like the EU and UN, but the fees offered for work on EU contracts is not always the best. Those who are good at it and can produce the kinds of texts required seem to make a good living, however.
An engineering specialist would probably do better working for big industrial clients who needed his/her branch of engineering - either as direct clients or through agencies.
Working in-house is often a good idea for beginners, as there are safety nets and colleagues to help out, but it may be very hard to specialise, as translators are expected to take on whatever comes. Other agencies have posts for specialists, who take charge of the most demanding jobs in their field, so it could be an ideal position for some.
Other translators, like me, live in small towns or in the country, where commuting to work is tiring and time-consuming. Freelancing is a far better way of using my time. Others have small children or relatives who need care, and the flexibility of freelancing makes it possible to work and fulfil responsibilities at home. Allergy sufferers can control their environment more easily as freelancers...
There are other forms of freedom too - professionally it is easier to specialise or take up a new subject area and combine it with study or practical experience in that field.
Etc. I could go on all day...
[Edited at 2016-10-10 08:45 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | I prefer freelancing by far | Oct 10, 2016 |
But like other colleaques have pointed out, it depends on a lot of circumstances, and I would add age and experience to the list.
| | | | neilmac
أسبانيا
Local time: 06:08
إسباني إلى أنجليزي
+ ...
Because it's what I do. However, some people will feel happier or "perform better in a more structured environment"...
| | | | Katrin Bosse (X)
ألمانيا
Local time: 06:08
هولندي إلى ألماني
+ ...
To each his/her own, according to field of expertise and individual preferences.
I like freelancing, it suits me best.
| | |
|
|
|
abdelazizma
كينيا
Local time: 07:08
أنجليزي إلى صومالي
+ ...
| Biased question | Oct 10, 2016 |
I think the question was already biased as the respondents come from all the continents. A list that is neutral for all could have elicited credible information.
For me freelancer is the most relevant title considering people on this forum.
[Edited at 2016-10-10 09:42 GMT]
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 00:08
أنجليزي إلى إسباني
+ ...
| I prefer “consulting translator” | Oct 10, 2016 |
Aside from biased, the question is loaded with prejudices, both positive and negative.
Nowadays, it seems that social media and most media outlets treat their readers and consumers with snippets, slogans, uncredited quotes and other short bits of text as if we were a bunch of primates who have evolved regressively, incapable of serious thought.
[Edited at 2016-10-10 09:59 GMT]
| | | | Ana Vozone
Local time: 05:08
عضو (2010)
أنجليزي إلى برتغالي
+ ...
This totally depends on what one expects from their job.
Being a freelance translator has been and still is my "dream job". I really would not change this for any other job in the world.
I love my job, I love my boss, I am self-employed
| | | | | The best I know | Oct 10, 2016 |
Well, let's be honest... I chose 'Freelancer' because this is this only status I know, because I really love being one and because I just can't imagine working as an in-house translator or for any kind of organization.
How about those who know more than one status? What do they prefer, and why?
| | |
|
|
|
| Sitting down | Oct 10, 2016 |
When I translate, I prefer to be sitting down.
| | | | | Thanks, Nikki! | Oct 10, 2016 |
Nikki Scott-Despaigne wrote:
When I translate, I prefer to be sitting down.
As the Irish say: A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything!
I had my good laugh and now I'm going to bed... See you all tomorrow!
| | | | Mario Freitas
البرازيل
Local time: 01:08
عضو (2014)
أنجليزي إلى برتغالي
+ ...
| It depends on what point of your career you are | Oct 11, 2016 |
What is best:
For those in their first 10 years of profession (or about), being a UN translator, an in-house translator in a big company, or a sworn translator (in the countries where that exists) may be a goal until you build a good client portfolio and your name in the market. All three options are very hard to get to.
But from the moment when you are well konwn in your market, when you have specialized in a few areas, and when you have a decent client portfolio, expe... See more What is best:
For those in their first 10 years of profession (or about), being a UN translator, an in-house translator in a big company, or a sworn translator (in the countries where that exists) may be a goal until you build a good client portfolio and your name in the market. All three options are very hard to get to.
But from the moment when you are well konwn in your market, when you have specialized in a few areas, and when you have a decent client portfolio, experience and potential new clients regularly, no one will stick to an in-house job, no matter how awsome it is. When you are able to work at home, without a boss, without working hours, internal rules and procedures, abusive discounts in your paycheck, and many other inconvenients, and make even more money than on any other option, with a MUCH healthier and flexible routine, you will not even consider an in-house job again, no matter how good it may look (you will know it's only looks).
[Edited at 2016-10-11 03:44 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | صفحات الموضوع: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: What position do you think is the best for a translator? | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
| | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
