| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: What is the best thing about translation (not about freelancing)? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What is the best thing about translation (not about freelancing)?".
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| | | | | Constantly learning new things + other | Oct 22, 2021 |
This is what I love most about translation. The other "thing" is that I'm always happy when I'm playing with words.
| | | | Enrico Zoffoli 
Italy
Local time: 02:33
Member (2013)
German to Italian
+ ...
Putting my philosophical skills into practice.
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Muriel Vasconcellos wrote:
The other "thing" is that I'm always happy when I'm playing with words.
I put "Writing" in first place, as for me that means the same as "playing with words". Doing translating and editing work scratches my writer's itch sufficiently to keep me content.
I also enjoy learning new things, but that is not happening "constantly", as a lot of the material I deal with tends to fall within certain standard categories.
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Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:33
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| Secret gratification | Oct 22, 2021 |
There is a deep secret pleasure in being able to understand a text in one language and "secretly" render it in another language so well that anyone reading the result will never know that it is actually a translation. As a translator I am driven by this Freudian "pleasure principle"; I want the dopamine to be released into my brain - the “feel good” neurotransmitter. But the pleasure of translation (like the pleasure of chocolate, or cheese) is short lived; so I always want more. I am addict... See more There is a deep secret pleasure in being able to understand a text in one language and "secretly" render it in another language so well that anyone reading the result will never know that it is actually a translation. As a translator I am driven by this Freudian "pleasure principle"; I want the dopamine to be released into my brain - the “feel good” neurotransmitter. But the pleasure of translation (like the pleasure of chocolate, or cheese) is short lived; so I always want more. I am addicted to translation and suffer from withdrawal symptoms when I have no work.
[Edited at 2021-10-22 07:42 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Susanna Martoni
Italy
Local time: 02:33
Member (2009)
Spanish to Italian
+ ...
The best thing about translation is translation. It is writing, making things.
We make things (we write, we translate) and we use words to communicate.
A very high level.
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All of the above, except for ‘having to deal with fewer people’ (OK, I confess I’m no longer the social being I once was, but that idea doesn’t cross my mind when I’m translating and that’s not one of the reasons why I love translating) and ‘publishing my own work’ (first of all, it’s somebody else’s work not mine and then the moment I send the text what the client does with afterwards is irrelevant to me). Like Tom I enjoy the instant gratification of finding a way to get th... See more All of the above, except for ‘having to deal with fewer people’ (OK, I confess I’m no longer the social being I once was, but that idea doesn’t cross my mind when I’m translating and that’s not one of the reasons why I love translating) and ‘publishing my own work’ (first of all, it’s somebody else’s work not mine and then the moment I send the text what the client does with afterwards is irrelevant to me). Like Tom I enjoy the instant gratification of finding a way to get the job done and done well (hopefully)… ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ivana Kahle
Germany
Local time: 02:33
Member (2007)
German to Croatian
+ ...
| Research work | Oct 22, 2021 |
A combination of almost all of the above plus research work which is sometimes similar to forensic work
I love the feeling when I (finally) find the right word(s).
Thanks for the great poll topic!
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| It's a text! | Oct 22, 2021 |
Writing, of course.
Language play.
The moment you find the "mot juste" or a particularly fitting discursive creation.
And reading the final draft out loud.
After all the labour... It's a text! It's a text!
"Les mots ont rendu leur sens, paix à leurs lettres."
| | | | Rui Domingues
Portugal
Local time: 01:33
Member
French to Portuguese
+ ...
What I like the most in translation is the fact that through our work, more people have access to information about a broad range of topics, and who could otherwise be denied the opportunity to learn more about a specific topic.
Translators thereby contribute to a more informed society, to facilitate communication at various levels and somehow to reduce inequalities that language barriers can create.
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:33
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Rui Domingues wrote:
What I like the most in translation is the fact that through our work, more people have access to information about a broad range of topics, and who could otherwise be denied the opportunity to learn more about a specific topic.
Translators thereby contribute to a more informed society, to facilitate communication at various levels and somehow to reduce inequalities that language barriers can create.
It also enables businesses to market their products in countries where they would not otherwise be able to sell anything. So we translators play an important economic role that alas, too often, is not recognised nor appropriately remunerated.
| | | | | Researching, learning and using your skills in a productive way. | Oct 22, 2021 |
We all have our different backgrounds, and the best thing about translating is being able to use that knowledge that you´ve gathered throughout your life to create something that really has a purpose to some, or many people. Also, doing research and having that thrill of finally understanding something is awesome, and it adds up to all that knowledge you already have.Summarizing: to me, it´s learning, helping people and being useful.
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Paul Lambert
Sweden
Local time: 02:33
Member (2006)
Swedish to English
+ ...
| Constantly learning new things. | Oct 22, 2021 |
I absolutely love it. What is even more interesting about it is that I get to learn about many arcane things that few other people give much thought. Over the years, I have had to become expert in such things as roof safety devices, the parts of a train locomotive's chassis, documentary credits for import/export, church history in remote locations and other things that might seem downright dull on the surface, but which all turn out to be quite fascinating once the job effectively compels me to ... See more I absolutely love it. What is even more interesting about it is that I get to learn about many arcane things that few other people give much thought. Over the years, I have had to become expert in such things as roof safety devices, the parts of a train locomotive's chassis, documentary credits for import/export, church history in remote locations and other things that might seem downright dull on the surface, but which all turn out to be quite fascinating once the job effectively compels me to take an interest and understand them fully. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Lauraine Yvie
France
Local time: 02:33
Member (2022)
French to English
+ ...
| Utilising language skills | Oct 22, 2021 |
As much as I think « constantly learning new things » will be an ideal reply to this question, what makes me love the job even more is the ability I have to travel around words, phrases, meaning what makes it even sweeter is the capability of finding a way out whenever you are faced with a difficult word or expression. You know you can’t back down, you can’t ignore that word, you are compelled to render it in the target language. The joy that comes after you were able to find a solution ... See more As much as I think « constantly learning new things » will be an ideal reply to this question, what makes me love the job even more is the ability I have to travel around words, phrases, meaning what makes it even sweeter is the capability of finding a way out whenever you are faced with a difficult word or expression. You know you can’t back down, you can’t ignore that word, you are compelled to render it in the target language. The joy that comes after you were able to find a solution to this is unmeasurable. #totalselfsatisfaction. So yes, Utilising language skills is just the cherry on the cake. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:33
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| Ask me anything about..... | Oct 22, 2021 |
Hot dip galvanising
Wood burning stoves
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