Poll: Have you ever decided to definitely not purchase something thanks to a text you translated? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever decided to definitely not purchase something thanks to a text you translated?".
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| | | Not that I remember | Jan 15, 2019 |
I focus on the linguistic aspect, doing the best translation I know how, and am rarely persuaded by the content of the texts. | | | neilmac Spain Local time: 15:26 Spanish to English + ...
Like Muriel, I don't usually pay so much attention to the content/message of the texts I translate, preferring to concentrate on the nuts and bolts of the translation. However, I do have a vague sensation that something I translated at some point over the years may have had some sort of influence on my purchasing behaviour. However, that may just be suggested by the query itself. In fact, now that you mention it, I do recall that when I hadn't been translating full-time for long, I transl... See more Like Muriel, I don't usually pay so much attention to the content/message of the texts I translate, preferring to concentrate on the nuts and bolts of the translation. However, I do have a vague sensation that something I translated at some point over the years may have had some sort of influence on my purchasing behaviour. However, that may just be suggested by the query itself. In fact, now that you mention it, I do recall that when I hadn't been translating full-time for long, I translated a text about a product widely used to stop cuttlefish and shrimp and similar turning black when they come out of the sea, which occurs naturally unless they are treated with this substance. I vaguely remember it almost put me off my seafood, but it can't have been for long, because I'm still enjoying it today... ▲ Collapse | | |
I translate a lot of marketing and advertising texts and some of them try so hard to be persuasive and compelling that they end up having the opposite effect on me… | |
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EvaVer (X) Local time: 15:26 Czech to French + ...
Brown sugar is an example that comes to mind. It is not bad as such (in most cases), it just has no advantage over white sugar (no, please - don't start any nutritional discussions, I have worked for a sugar producer over 25 years). If it's the real thing, it just contains a low percentage of impurities - and you don't want these, especially if it comes from a country with benevolent or no pesticide regulations. In most cases, though, brown sugar sold in Europe is white sugar coloured with caram... See more Brown sugar is an example that comes to mind. It is not bad as such (in most cases), it just has no advantage over white sugar (no, please - don't start any nutritional discussions, I have worked for a sugar producer over 25 years). If it's the real thing, it just contains a low percentage of impurities - and you don't want these, especially if it comes from a country with benevolent or no pesticide regulations. In most cases, though, brown sugar sold in Europe is white sugar coloured with caramel. I do pay attention to the content, at least, when it is interesting and/or relevant to me. I learned a lot about marketing, accounting, finance... from my translation and interpreting jobs that has been very useful to my business. ▲ Collapse | | | Sorry, I can't let this pass | Jan 15, 2019 |
EvaVer wrote: (no, please - don't start any nutritional discussions, I have worked for a sugar producer over 25 years). And you still believe what they say?! We used to translate propaganda from a large sugar producer, until we realised that some people might actually believe it. Sugar (and fat and drug) producers are like the tobacco industry used to be. I think we all know that sugar is pure white and deadly even if it's brown. | | | Jan Kordac Czech Republic Local time: 15:26 Member (2004) English to Czech + ...
But, contrary, I sometime feel urge to buy something I'm translating about. Especially, if it is repetitive marketing text and I have to translate same slogan over and over... For example, water filter jugs Brita were very tempting. Or car Lexus. | | | Ricki Farn Germany Local time: 15:26 English to German
I don't generally translate texts about things that I might buy. I do translate a lot of texts about customer experience, and now when I'm at my inner-city village supermarket, I always scrutinize their customer experience, repress the urge to comment on it to the staff, and then I buy my frozen broccoli anyway | |
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EvaVer (X) Local time: 15:26 Czech to French + ... It's not what they say | Jan 15, 2019 |
Chris S wrote: EvaVer wrote: (no, please - don't start any nutritional discussions, I have worked for a sugar producer over 25 years). And you still believe what they say?! We used to translate propaganda from a large sugar producer, until we realised that some people might actually believe it. Sugar (and fat and drug) producers are like the tobacco industry used to be. I think we all know that sugar is pure white and deadly even if it's brown. … I have seen "brown sugar" produced (coloured), and seen analyses of the real one. You would be surprised how many people believe it's better (otherwise, it wouldn't sell, would it?). And I think you exaggerate, it all depends on quantity. Do you really live without sugar and fat? I cannot imagine such a life. | | |
EvaVer wrote: Do you really live without sugar and fat? No, I'm just saying that these companies are inveterate liars. They suppress research, cherry-pick results, produce fake news, lobby, bully and bribe. It's well established that overconsumption of sugar and other simple carbohydrates is behind the current obesity and diabetes epidemics. But they'll still tell you sugar is good for you.
[Edited at 2019-01-15 16:06 GMT] | | | Mario Freitas Brazil Local time: 11:26 Member (2014) English to Portuguese + ...
I translate lots of apps. Many of them would sound interesting at first sight. But after translating their descriptions and their wonderful "features", I gave up even looking at many of them. These people offer exclusive and incredible features that are not only basic, but exist in every possible app. It's like selling a car and saying: EXCLUSIVE FEATURES: - Four wheels, plus a spare! - Two headlights - Seats for five passengers - Air conditioner (!!! in... See more I translate lots of apps. Many of them would sound interesting at first sight. But after translating their descriptions and their wonderful "features", I gave up even looking at many of them. These people offer exclusive and incredible features that are not only basic, but exist in every possible app. It's like selling a car and saying: EXCLUSIVE FEATURES: - Four wheels, plus a spare! - Two headlights - Seats for five passengers - Air conditioner (!!! incredible) YOU'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT! TRY IT NOW. ▲ Collapse | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: Have you ever decided to definitely not purchase something thanks to a text you translated? CafeTran Espresso | You've never met a CAT tool this clever!
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