| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Poll: How do you think you compare to other translators? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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Erzsébet Czopyk 
Hungary
Local time: 02:30
Member (2006)
Russian to Hungarian
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SITE LOCALIZER | not perfect but a perfectionist | Dec 23, 2016 |
Hmmm... another strange poll.
I consider myself better than an average but only in the areas I am familiar with. Being a perfectionist is good in general but sometimes you have to choose: either you shall meet the deadline so you cannot polish each word as you would do; or you too slow but the result is like a rare diamond.
I would never say I am best in something - I met too many of you here, dear colleagues, whom I consider simply brilliant and admire your knowledge.
<... See more Hmmm... another strange poll.
I consider myself better than an average but only in the areas I am familiar with. Being a perfectionist is good in general but sometimes you have to choose: either you shall meet the deadline so you cannot polish each word as you would do; or you too slow but the result is like a rare diamond.
I would never say I am best in something - I met too many of you here, dear colleagues, whom I consider simply brilliant and admire your knowledge.
Wishing to all who celebrate a joyous Christmas and a prosperous, Happy New Year. ▲ Collapse
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I don't think I'm great, and translation doesn't come easily to me. However, I don't have any way of knowing how much better other translators are.
| | | | | Corner-cutting | Dec 23, 2016 |
Chris S wrote: Philippe Etienne wrote:
But average means 50% on one side, 50% on the other. Strictly speaking, it doesn't.
Indeed. Where would mankind be if only 50% of the world population earned a below-average world income.
But provided that all translators weigh the same, it should hold with yes/no choices only.
Philippe
[Edited at 2016-12-23 12:38 GMT]
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 02:30
Member (2009)
English to German
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| Never thought about it | Dec 23, 2016 |
I know I'm good at what I'm doing. And since I am the one doing the work, why would I wonder how good or bad other translators are? The answer is simple, I don't have the time to wonder about it.
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| I must be better than average... | Dec 23, 2016 |
I must be better than average after having been doing it professionally for 43 years. Otherwise I should have moved to a different endeavor a long time ago.
Yet, I use one slick trick here. I have identified the specific subject areas where I would be visibly worse than average - five areas so far - and found true specialist translators in these areas, working in my language pair, that I can refer prospects to, in order to keep my track record unblemished. Incidentally, I know perso... See more I must be better than average after having been doing it professionally for 43 years. Otherwise I should have moved to a different endeavor a long time ago.
Yet, I use one slick trick here. I have identified the specific subject areas where I would be visibly worse than average - five areas so far - and found true specialist translators in these areas, working in my language pair, that I can refer prospects to, in order to keep my track record unblemished. Incidentally, I know personally all these specialists but one.
It's an easy way out, however definitely safe! ▲ Collapse
| | | | B D Finch
France
Local time: 02:30
French to English
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| What "average"? | Dec 23, 2016 |
Philippe Etienne wrote:
... average means 50% on one side, 50% on the other.
Mean, median or mode? What Philippe understands by "average" seems to be the median if he means 50% of translators on either side. Usually, when they refer to the "average", people mean the "mean", if you see what I mean. ;( In this context, however, the mode seems to me to be the most appropriate measure of "average".
Whatever side of the line, wherever it is, we fall and even if we are up there with the angels, the best answer is probably "I still need to learn a few things". So far, fewer than 50% claim to be above average, which might (depending on who the 45.?% are), indicate that most translators are in touch with reality.
Merry Yuletide!
[Edited at 2016-12-23 13:39 GMT]
| | | | Andrea Diaz
Mexico
Local time: 18:30
English to Spanish
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I participate in the Proz community because I want to see how I compare to other translators. Even though I'm no longer "new" in the industry, I still feel very green. But I have enthusiasm and ambition. I always strive to deliver my best work.
| | | | | Not a competition | Dec 23, 2016 |
Translation isn't a competition. It's about how well you translate a text, not how well you match up to others.
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| Everyday is a new day to learn | Dec 23, 2016 |
I always have something new to learn.
For example I learnt that my last choice in this very poll was not registered, therefore I was able to choose two answers (the other being "never thought about it") making it not reliable.
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 20:30
English to Spanish
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| Americanism: holding a candle to someone | Dec 23, 2016 |
In Spanish we have a funny yet similar expression: no llegarle a alguien a los talones
I chose “Nobody can hold a candle to me” because I prefer LED torches (they don't burn).
| | | | Daryo
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:30
Serbian to English
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| a catch 22 situation | Dec 23, 2016 |
the more you learn, the more you become aware of what you don't know.
So you could be well justified in selecting two or more apparently mutually incompatible / contradictory options ...
which would lead to the conclusion that this pool is "above average" meaningless / of doubtful usefulness ...
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I think I am a good translator since I have long-term clients, which means that they are satisfied of my work.
I personally do not see other translators (in the same fields or in other fields) as a term of comparison.
I know it is full of good translators out there, some of you dear colleagues are 1.000.000 times better than me, others are 1.000.000 worse than me. But really I see the translators as colleagues and what is really sure is that I have something to learn from ever... See more I think I am a good translator since I have long-term clients, which means that they are satisfied of my work.
I personally do not see other translators (in the same fields or in other fields) as a term of comparison.
I know it is full of good translators out there, some of you dear colleagues are 1.000.000 times better than me, others are 1.000.000 worse than me. But really I see the translators as colleagues and what is really sure is that I have something to learn from everybody.
At the end of the day... this is really not something I think about. ▲ Collapse
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Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 21:30
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
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Most answers to this question may sound very arrogant and be quite displeasant. It surely will if I say what I tink about myself as compared to other translators I don't even know here. So I won't even read the other answers.
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