Pages in topic:   < [1 2 3] >
Poll: Which of these animals best represents the freelance translator, in your opinion?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
DianeGM
DianeGM  Identity Verified
Local time: 07:23
Member (2006)
Dutch to English
+ ...
Other .... Feb 21, 2012

Mountain goat

 
Catherine Winzer
Catherine Winzer  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 06:23
German to English
+ ...
chameleon Feb 21, 2012

Interlangue wrote:

We have to adjust to many different people, texts, ways of thinking, ways of expressing things, cultures, etc., change our appearance without changing our nature.


Like Interlangue, I went for the chameleon. I think translators have to be able to adapt on a number of levels.


 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 06:23
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
I always say I'm chameleon-coloured... Feb 21, 2012

But today I'm feeling a bit like the scapegoat - a glutton for punishment!

However, my new client is aware that I 'm sitting with a half-illegible PDF, and if he lives up to his BB rating, better things will follow.

Thanks for the smile!


 
Simon Bruni
Simon Bruni  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:23
Member (2009)
Spanish to English
Translators are bees Feb 21, 2012

Making sweet honey translations from our source-language nectar

 
Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Japan
Local time: 14:23
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
"Hmmmm," said Winnie the Pooh approvingly Feb 21, 2012

Simon Bruni wrote:

Making sweet honey translations from our source-language nectar


Simon,

soooo poetic!

Wish every project was sweet honey!


 
Catharine Cellier-Smart
Catharine Cellier-Smart  Identity Verified
Reunion
Local time: 09:23
Member (2010)
French to English
+ ...
Other Feb 21, 2012

What about a shapeshifter? Some days I feel like a hermit crab, some days like a parrot, and other days like a bookworm.

 
matt robinson
matt robinson  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 06:23
Member (2010)
Spanish to English
Unicorn? Feb 21, 2012

I'm not sure really, but my two daughters often make me feel like something out of the ark!

 
Andrea Teltemann
Andrea Teltemann  Identity Verified
Local time: 06:23
French to German
+ ...
Owl Feb 21, 2012

Sage and wise... and working late at night (sometimes).

 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 06:23
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Chameleon/shapeshifter Feb 21, 2012

A translator must take on the "color" which best suits the client.
As shapeshifter we can be (night-)owls, wolves on the prowl (for clients) mice which are busy, busy but almost invisible (to the family), monkeys jumping from one project to the next. etc.


 
Wendy Streitparth
Wendy Streitparth  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 06:23
German to English
+ ...
chameleon Feb 21, 2012

Excellent question and definitely a chameleon for me, bearing in mind how one has to adapt to different subjects and styles.

 
Jose Arnoldo Rodriguez-Carrington
Jose Arnoldo Rodriguez-Carrington  Identity Verified
Mexico
Local time: 23:23
English to Spanish
+ ...
A cross between a chameleon and a honey bee Feb 21, 2012

Seriously, the chameleon for the reasons expressed by others above, and more lightly the honeybee because of this jewel:
Simon Bruni wrote:

Making sweet honey translations from our source-language nectar




[Edited at 2012-02-21 14:09 GMT]


 
Mónica Algazi
Mónica Algazi  Identity Verified
Uruguay
Local time: 02:23
Member (2005)
English to Spanish
Fufus horneros - red ovenbirds Feb 21, 2012

Low-profile, hard-working, sensitive. They build nests; we keep busy with our weft of words.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufous_Hornero

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kun_10/3593513631/


 
Venkatesh Sundaram
Venkatesh Sundaram  Identity Verified
India
Local time: 10:53
German to English
Cross between chameleon and bee seems most appropriate Feb 21, 2012

Jose Arnoldo Rodriguez-Carrington wrote:

Seriously, the chameleon for the reasons expressed by others above, and more lightly the honeybee because of this jewel:
Simon Bruni wrote:

Making sweet honey translations from our source-language nectar




[Edited at 2012-02-21 14:09 GMT]


Cheers!
Venkatesh


 
opolt
opolt  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 06:23
English to German
+ ...
Hi Feb 21, 2012

This poll was submitted many months ago, and I don't remember the details, but I'm pretty sure I worded it such that it asked about "the profession" as a whole, not only translators (i.e. such that it would include interpreters as well), that's the main reason why I included "ape" and "parrot" in this little bestiary of mine :-]

Anyway, glad that at least some of you liked it -- proof that there is such a thing as German humour ;-] (even though it has to rely on the English l
... See more
This poll was submitted many months ago, and I don't remember the details, but I'm pretty sure I worded it such that it asked about "the profession" as a whole, not only translators (i.e. such that it would include interpreters as well), that's the main reason why I included "ape" and "parrot" in this little bestiary of mine :-]

Anyway, glad that at least some of you liked it -- proof that there is such a thing as German humour ;-] (even though it has to rely on the English language).

If you asked me, I'd belong into the "unknown fossil" category, supposedly not only with a forked tongue but also with a heavily compartmentalized brain and other special features which however didn't make it into the fossil record :-]

Yes, we're all monsters, and proud of it

Cheerio delirio,

-- opolt
Collapse


 
Marjolein Snippe
Marjolein Snippe  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 06:23
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
gymnastics Feb 21, 2012

I loved this one!
I hesitated between a chameleon and an ape and eventually chose the latter. It takes a lot of acrobatics and leaps of thought to make a good translation which in the end remains invisible / camouflaged somewhere up in the treetops!


 
Pages in topic:   < [1 2 3] >


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: Which of these animals best represents the freelance translator, in your opinion?






CafeTran Espresso
You've never met a CAT tool this clever!

Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer. Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools. Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free

Buy now! »
Protemos translation business management system
Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!

The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.

More info »