How to tell me you have absolutely no concept of what a translator does without saying you have absolutely no concept of what a translator does:
Client sends me descriptions of artworks to translate but refuses to send me copies of the images themselves.
“We want you to translate the text, not interpret the art."
And people are surprised when I tell them I'm so ready to retire. 🙄
Just came across the word “chronophage" (time-consuming) in a French text I am translating.
It is now my mission to start using it in conversation (and “chronophagous" in English).
I can almost hear the eyeballs rolling. Yes, I'm that guy. 😂
Proofing an annual report this morning, and I came across a page heading with two (count em!) exclamation points.
Ugh
Seriously, people, this is an annual report, not a middle-school book report. 😳
Question for my fellow #translators: Do you find yourself, either consciously or unconsciously, using the em dash less frequently, for fear your copy could be mistaken for AI-generated content?
*raises hand*
*shakes fist*
#xl8
#AI
#translationfreelancer
#translate
I #translate a lot of museum exhibitions, and one of my favourite jobs is translating the introductory panel—generally the text that visitors see as they enter the exhibition.
It's usually relatively brief (3 or 4 paragraphs) and has to give visitors a sense of what they're about to experience in a breezy, inviting style.
Not an easy task, but a really fun challenge that puts your writing skills to the test!
I feel the need to add, as a follow-up to my previous posts, that I do value academia.
Exploring the deepest depths of a remote corner of knowledge is an endeavour for which I have the utmost respect and admiration, though personally, I prefer to skim the surface of many different topics.
I also understand that there are some outstanding academic writers out there. I see you!
Alas, I never get to translate you. 😂
#xl8
#translation
#translationfreelancer
#academicwriting
#academia
It's been a long time since I've translated an academic paper.
I'd forgotten how much academics like to pad and obfuscate.
So much of my translation work in recent years has been for museums, where the goal is concise, clear, easy-to-read copy—the polar opposite of most academic writing, come to think of it.
Dear client, this translation is likely to make your paper readable. My apologies! 😳😬🙄
#Today I've finished & delivered a massive Slovak to EN #ContractForWorks #translation of nearly 100 standard pages, all done in six days. Learned a lot of #FIDIC #terminology and other stuff. I guess I deserve a #beer or two, or three, or ...
#xl8freelancer #xl8industry #ConstructionContract #BussinesLaw #TranslationFreelancer #Translator #TranslationServices
Many #LSPs / #TranslationAgencies out there are looking for account managers, social media specialists, client success experts (WTF?!), project managers, business leads, but few are looking for actual #translators.
Who does the job, then?
#xl8 #translation #xl8freelancer #TranslationFreelancer #FreelanceTranslator #xl8industry
Peter Christensen
TDonoval