Where can I get help with the translation of some technical terms? Thread poster: nwbietranslator
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Hello all,
This is my first time here, completely new to the translating world and to this site.
Highly recommended by a good friend though.
So, here is my 1st question- Im trying to translate from english to spanish and vice versa some technical texts, and am stuck with some terms.
Which forum would you recommend I got to?
I was also told I could do some searches, on the words, but havent gotten around to that yet. The site is extensive and I honestly dont ha... See more Hello all,
This is my first time here, completely new to the translating world and to this site.
Highly recommended by a good friend though.
So, here is my 1st question- Im trying to translate from english to spanish and vice versa some technical texts, and am stuck with some terms.
Which forum would you recommend I got to?
I was also told I could do some searches, on the words, but havent gotten around to that yet. The site is extensive and I honestly dont have much time to get this done. Have a deadline that I must meet in just a few hours.
Thanks for your time.
[Subject edited by staff or moderator 2009-05-29 14:08 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | IATE is a good resource | May 29, 2009 |
Have you tried IATE?
http://iate.europa.eu
Cheers,
Michiel
[Bijgewerkt op 2009-05-29 14:18 GMT]
| | | | | Quick answer | May 29, 2009 |
Hi "nwbietranslator",
Good to see you at the site!
For term questions, you should use the KudoZ feature.
Before asking, you could check up if the term has already been discussed.
Start page > KudoZ > Term search.
If not, use
Start page > KudoZ > Ask question.
(One term in each question)
Good luck!
Erik
| | | | Attila Piróth 
France
Local time: 07:02
Member
English to Hungarian
+ ...
Welcome, nwbietranslator.
You can get terminology help in KudoZ (put your mouse over the KudoZ tab and select "Ask question". Make sure to read the FAQ about KudoZ first -- you will find a lot of very useful information there which will help you to use the system efficiently.
Cheers,
Attila
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Kudoz, definitely.
As for another colleague's recommendation of IATE... I must raise a big red flag about it. Please make sure you confirm with other sources any terms taken from IATE as it is unfortunately plagued with errors... :-/
| | | | | Have you tried the Term Search feature? | May 29, 2009 |
You'll find this under Kudoz in the menu.
| | | | | ALWAYS double check | May 29, 2009 |
Of course, Kudoz is a prime source for specialist terminology. I mentioned IATE as an alternative, in case a certain term is not available on Kudoz.
And sure, IATE contains errors. But in any case, one should always double check any translation of an unfamiliar term.
| | | | | Thank You all so much for your responses! | May 29, 2009 |
Youre all awesome!
Ive gone under the Kudoz term search and that has helped.
I did also go to IATE but of course Im being careful to double check translations wherever I can.
My only problem is that Im on a TOTAL DEADLINE to get this done asap, its for a new job.
They sent me a test- in my view- very difficult, and since I have little to no experience in this it's killing me.
Ok, here is another question- very daring on my part- does anyone have th... See more Youre all awesome!
Ive gone under the Kudoz term search and that has helped.
I did also go to IATE but of course Im being careful to double check translations wherever I can.
My only problem is that Im on a TOTAL DEADLINE to get this done asap, its for a new job.
They sent me a test- in my view- very difficult, and since I have little to no experience in this it's killing me.
Ok, here is another question- very daring on my part- does anyone have the time and is also willing to check the translations I've done?
Am I asking for too much? I havent had much time to look over the site, and to be honest I havent done the right thing- take the time to see all of its features, read the FAQ's and all. I know I should, and Im not as prepared as I should be.
So, if anyone has the heart to help me, please let me know. I need to have this done in only a few hours!
Ouchhhhhhhh. ▲ Collapse
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Tony M
France
Local time: 07:02
Member
French to English
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SITE LOCALIZER | Support... if it's a test | May 29, 2009 |
Welcome to the community!
I'm sure you'll find all the support you want here... but, if you're doing a test, then it would really be dishonest to have it corrected by someone else — that way, you might be getting given a job that was outside your competence level on the strength of someone else's knowledge and experience!
If you are struggling even with the test, then perhaps you are trying to 'run before you can walk' and should start with material you feel mo... See more Welcome to the community!
I'm sure you'll find all the support you want here... but, if you're doing a test, then it would really be dishonest to have it corrected by someone else — that way, you might be getting given a job that was outside your competence level on the strength of someone else's knowledge and experience!
If you are struggling even with the test, then perhaps you are trying to 'run before you can walk' and should start with material you feel more comfortable with; no-one should expect to start as a translator and be 'up to speed' for complex stuff from day one.
You may also need to consider the advisability of translating other than into your native language — I think you said you were translating both ways round SP >< EN? — but that might be rather over-ambitious, unless you are one of those rare beasts: a true bilingual; there are far fewer of those around than actually claim to be. Is this part of the reason why you are having problems?
[Modifié le 2009-05-29 16:03 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Thanks Tony, I appreciate your words, and actually | May 29, 2009 |
I have thought about what you are saying.
Especially since I think Im having such a hard time with this test. The thing is I think Im making it out to be harder than it really is.
I was told the test would be really technical stuff, requiring more than would be necessary for the actual job, so thats why Im hoping to get it done.
Its actually a good test for myself also, see what I do.
Im not asking for someone to make a ton of corrections to it, more like a pr... See more I have thought about what you are saying.
Especially since I think Im having such a hard time with this test. The thing is I think Im making it out to be harder than it really is.
I was told the test would be really technical stuff, requiring more than would be necessary for the actual job, so thats why Im hoping to get it done.
Its actually a good test for myself also, see what I do.
Im not asking for someone to make a ton of corrections to it, more like a proofreading. The last thing I would want is to be dishonest- not with the company, but with myself. I think I just want to get an idea of what I know and I dont know.
I do have to translate both ways, but it's only the test, later on it will be only EN > SP.
I'm not sure if Im a true bilingual or not- Spanish was my first language, when I was 7 started with English. Unfortunately, (or not), English became my primary language from then on- basically not having much schooling in Spanish after that, or at least none that Id count. Then in college and now- self taught.
I have confidence in myself that I can do this, its not that bad, Im just so nitpicky with all I do, I think I need to relax a bit.
Anyway, thanks for your comment. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Professionalism | May 29, 2009 |
nwbietranslator wrote:
Hello all,
This is my first time here, completely new to the translating world and to this site.
Highly recommended by a good friend though.
So, here is my 1st question- Im trying to translate from english to spanish and vice versa some technical texts, and am stuck with some terms.
Which forum would you recommend I got to?
I was also told I could do some searches, on the words, but havent gotten around to that yet. The site is extensive and I honestly dont have much time to get this done. Have a deadline that I must meet in just a few hours.
Thanks for your time.
I don't think you should be translating yet.
First off, you say you are trying to translate - I take it you are not actually translating, just trying... I don't think you should be trying to translate on a real job - you should be trying to translate a sample text, so you can at least figure out if you have what it takes to actually translate. That way, you would be aware, without risking to cause any harm to a real life client, that there are some technical terms that are not so easy to translate, and you could also have all the time you need to search for resources you could use in such cases once you decide you are ready to tackle a real job.
Second, a forum is far from being the best resource for terminology. Any person who has the slightest clue about translation knows this. You should start by buying dictionaries, which are much more reliable than something someone says on a forum.
Finally, if you haven't gotten around to "doing some searches", if you think that is secondary to actually "trying to translate", then I suggest you think first of the implications of professionalism, or lack thereof, before entering a business relationship. You have to understand that the client is expecting a sound translation in return for the money he pays you, and rightly so. It is not for nothing he is willing to pay you - he needs the translation, and he needs it to be satisfactory. He also needs it by the deadline, and if you deliver late, that can cause harm to the client. This is something many of us frequently disregard. Please consider that translation is serious business, not a get-rich-quick scheme or a way to earn pocket money in the comfort of your home. Just as you would expect the things you buy to work properly, your client expects for your translation to work properly as well. There is no room for ifs, maybes and let's try that and sees.
I suspect it is just honest on your part to choose the user name you are using, but please think of the impression it will make on potential clients. A noob window cleaner, while not as efficient and meticulous as an experienced one, can't cause much harm, and it will not take him long before learning the ropes. On the other hand, a noob translator can cause a lot more harm, and it takes considerably longer to gather the experience it takes to be able to deliver quality translations on time without any doubt. Changing your username may be a great idea - unless you are only experimenting at this stage and not seeking to enter any real business relationship for the time being. If you feel you want to keep your username because it describes you well, then it may be best not to take on any genuine translation jobs until you feel that this username doesn't suit you anymore, i.e., until you feel confident about your abilities.
To finish, it is very nice of our colleagues to offer advice, but I am surprised that almost none offered the advice really needed here, above anything else: read up on translation theory, the translation industry, the business side of translation, here, in books on the subject, on other sites, etc., before attempting to serve a real life client. Also practice writing and translating, test your abilities, translate text and then compare it with its official translation to discover potential areas of improvement, etc. Not only will your clients benefit from this, but your reputation will also most likely be better from the start. Don't ever mess with your reputation - once you lose it, it is next to impossible to get it back.
One last word of advice: you are saying you translate into English. May I suggest you learn to write better English? I think you still have some way to go before you can pretend it to be sufficient for translation work. For one thing, all the apostrophes are missing in your posts - they are not optional.
[Edited at 2009-05-30 21:18 GMT]
| | | | Anne-Marie Grant (X)
Local time: 06:02
French to English
+ ...
and I totally agree with Tony M. If there's any way it's possible, you should see if you can find a mentor who will proofread your early translations until you're ready to go it alone. Apart from Proz., another decent forum for quick answers to questions is 'Wordreference'.
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