Poll: Have you ever decided to definitely not purchase something thanks to a text you translated?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jan 15, 2019

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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Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 07:26
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
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.

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 15:26
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Jan 15, 2019

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...
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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 14:26
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Other Jan 15, 2019

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…

 
EvaVer (X)
EvaVer (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 15:26
Czech to French
+ ...
Yes Jan 15, 2019

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.
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Christopher Schröder
Christopher Schröder
United Kingdom
Member (2011)
Swedish to English
+ ...
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
Jan Kordac  Identity Verified
Czech Republic
Local time: 15:26
Member (2004)
English to Czech
+ ...
No Jan 15, 2019

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
Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 15:26
English to German
Not sure Jan 15, 2019

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


 
EvaVer (X)
EvaVer (X)  Identity Verified
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.


 
Christopher Schröder
Christopher Schröder
United Kingdom
Member (2011)
Swedish to English
+ ...
@Eva Jan 15, 2019

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]


Eckhard Boehle
 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 11:26
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Yes Jan 17, 2019

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.
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Poll: Have you ever decided to definitely not purchase something thanks to a text you translated?






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