Poll: When did you decide to become a translator? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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| | | Other (well over 40 years ago) | Dec 22, 2021 |
Life is full of twists and turns and in one of those translation found me! I didn't start out my career as a translator. I started translating professionally in the late 1970s, part-time for a few years and then full-time since 1986 (and overtime when and if necessary)…
| | | | Samuel Murray 
Netherlands
Local time: 05:59
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
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| Title of my reply | Dec 22, 2021 |
In the second half of secondary school I started to excel in language studies, but I didn't consider it as a career at the time. I went to college directly after secondary school. I first enrolled for a 3-year course in civil engineering, but concluded after 3 months that it wasn't for me. I then saw a flyer for a new translators' course at the same college, and that's where it started. However, after studying translation for 3 years I could not get a job as a translator, so I tried various ... See more In the second half of secondary school I started to excel in language studies, but I didn't consider it as a career at the time. I went to college directly after secondary school. I first enrolled for a 3-year course in civil engineering, but concluded after 3 months that it wasn't for me. I then saw a flyer for a new translators' course at the same college, and that's where it started. However, after studying translation for 3 years I could not get a job as a translator, so I tried various other things (including freelance translation, which didn't really pan out), until 5 years later I landed a translation job at daily newspaper. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Bangyou Xiang
China
Local time: 11:59
Member (2019)
English to Chinese
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| After a "naked resignation" from university | Dec 22, 2021 |
After obtaining my master's degee in linguistics and applied linguistics (Chinese language and literature), I worked as a research assistant at a famous university. But after almost 3 years, I decided to quit this job, and start my freelancing career.
Since English was one of my favorite subjects in middle school, I decided to find something relevant to do. Freelance translator sounded attractive to me.
As a newbie in this field, I tried everything to proof that I wa... See more After obtaining my master's degee in linguistics and applied linguistics (Chinese language and literature), I worked as a research assistant at a famous university. But after almost 3 years, I decided to quit this job, and start my freelancing career.
Since English was one of my favorite subjects in middle school, I decided to find something relevant to do. Freelance translator sounded attractive to me.
As a newbie in this field, I tried everything to proof that I was capable of delivering high quality translations. I passed national examinations (China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters ), joined associations (Translators Association of China, American Translators Association, and Chartered Institute of Linguistics), connected with colleagues from home and abroad, and became Certified Pro of ProZ.com, and Fiverr Pro.
I feel I'm the lucky guy, because along my freelancing career, I've met people who are willing to guide and help me. I'm grateful for the trust that my client put on me. Freelancing career has really shaped me! ▲ Collapse
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I was preparing job applications for various merchant banks when I suddenly realised I really didn’t want to spend any more of my life around people like that.
So I looked around for a Plan B in increasing desperation, translation seemed a good match for my talents and misanthropy, and the rest is history.
| | | | | When did you decide to become a translator? | Dec 22, 2021 |
ProZ.com Staff wrote: This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When did you decide to become a translator?". This poll was originally submitted by Cécile Gaultier. View the poll results »
I didn't decide it.
Just like Obelix... I fell into the cauldron when I was young.
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 05:59
Member (2009)
English to German
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| Half a century ago | Dec 22, 2021 |
Yes, it really has been that long. Time definitely flies when you're having fun.
| | | | Ahmed Ayad
Egypt
Local time: 06:59
English to Arabic
| Translation is not a choice, but it is a passion | Dec 22, 2021 |
My passion from my birth was visiting all the countries, so I did this through my passion of translation
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Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 04:59
Member (2008)
Italian to English
ProZ.com Staff wrote: This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When did you decide to become a translator?". This poll was originally submitted by Cécile Gaultier. View the poll results »
I decided formally to become a translator some time in 1999, mid-afternoon, at West Hampstead railway station in London. I had already been translating for years before that, but it wasn't until that moment - as I watched the trains passing through - that I decided to have a go at translating as a serious occupation.
It worked out better than I expected.
[Edited at 2021-12-22 16:48 GMT]
| | | | Felipe Tomasi
Brazil
Local time: 00:59
Member
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| More than a decade ago... | Dec 22, 2021 |
I'd say I formally decided to become a translator when I started the bachelor's degree in Translation at the University of Brasília back in 2010.
However, the passion for translation and foreign languages goes back to an early age, as my parents used to be English teachers and, when I was four, we moved to Yugoslavia and lived there for two years. This cultural and language mix for sure played a key role in feigning interest in foreign languages.
| | | | | 55 Years Ago, As Of This Coming Year | Dec 22, 2021 |
I believe I responded to this same poll a couple of years ago, but it was after my Spanish II teacher exclaimed "Excelente", as soon as she and the rest of the class finished listening to a translation that I presented, both written and orally, which was into Spanish, without making a single correction. I had enjoyed preparing it so much the night before, and because of the reaction from our teacher, who was a kind of anomaly in the late 1960s, because she was a WOMAN with a Master's degree, I d... See more I believe I responded to this same poll a couple of years ago, but it was after my Spanish II teacher exclaimed "Excelente", as soon as she and the rest of the class finished listening to a translation that I presented, both written and orally, which was into Spanish, without making a single correction. I had enjoyed preparing it so much the night before, and because of the reaction from our teacher, who was a kind of anomaly in the late 1960s, because she was a WOMAN with a Master's degree, I decided it would be my ultimate professional goal.
[Edited at 2021-12-22 18:09 GMT]
[Edited at 2021-12-22 22:42 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Since 8th grade | Dec 22, 2021 |
I started learning Spanish in 8th grade and was immediately drawn to the desire to capture the same ideas in my mother tongue, English.
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| I always knew that it was my gift/talent. Then, long live internet; "> 10 years ago". | Dec 23, 2021 |
Since my primary education, I could see my passion and talent for languages.
At the time, and for many more years that followed, I did not know much about the translation industry, other than interpreting.
Later in life, by doing continuous research on all kinds of topics, I was lucky to discover my dream job.
Hence, for me it is "> 10 years ago".
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