| Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | Poll: Translation: a lonely world? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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I believe this because I believe that loneliness is a state of mind - barring extreme circumstances.
It is all a matter of scheduling, and although sometimes there are tight deadlines and things may go wrong, we can all choose to also have a life and meet our friends, do things with the family, have a holiday or a weekend away from our computers.
| | | | Yaotl Altan 
Mexico
Local time: 09:00
Member (2006)
English to Spanish
+ ...
I voted "Other" because I did not understand it.
| | | | Carla Catolino
Italy
Local time: 17:00
Member (2008)
Italian to English
+ ...
| What other job... | Jun 24, 2009 |
doesn't mean sitting in an office in front of a computer all day? The good thing about this job is that we don't have to deal with office politics. I sometimes enjoy putting on some good soft music, sitting in the quite of my home office and working. If I don't feel like working I can go out and have a coffee with friends. So, if you think that lonliness of this job is a down side...just think of the upside of this job too.
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Unless you include virtual contact e.g. Proz.com
Cheers
S
| | | | Amy Duncan (X)
Brazil
Local time: 12:00
Portuguese to English
+ ...
| I picked "other" | Jun 24, 2009 |
It's true that as a freelance translator, I spend a lot of time alone, but I have nothing against spending a lot of time alone! I don't get lonely, and I like the freedom of being able work at home and have flexible hours. I know sometimes they don't seem flexible when there's a lot of work and deadlines are screaming at you, but if I'm making enough money to meet my expenses, then I always have the option of turning some work down, which I certainly wouldn't have if I were working in an office.... See more It's true that as a freelance translator, I spend a lot of time alone, but I have nothing against spending a lot of time alone! I don't get lonely, and I like the freedom of being able work at home and have flexible hours. I know sometimes they don't seem flexible when there's a lot of work and deadlines are screaming at you, but if I'm making enough money to meet my expenses, then I always have the option of turning some work down, which I certainly wouldn't have if I were working in an office.
To keep in touch with people I hop over to Facebook to see what's happening with my friends and share some laughs, music, talk about what we're up to, etc.
To me there's a big difference between "alone" and "lonely." ▲ Collapse
| | | | C. Mouton
France
Local time: 17:00
Member (2007)
English to French
| a whole world is just a click away | Jun 24, 2009 |
I almost never spend a full workday without talking to someone of my family, friends, colleagues, etc. on MSN or Skype.
And the wonderful thing about working for yourself and at home is that you can perfectly shift your working hours earlier or later in the day, and spend a few hours, or even a few minutes per day with other people.
I have days when I work 7am-11pm but also others when I spend hours with the choir practise group, or sitting on a beach chair in the woods... See more I almost never spend a full workday without talking to someone of my family, friends, colleagues, etc. on MSN or Skype.
And the wonderful thing about working for yourself and at home is that you can perfectly shift your working hours earlier or later in the day, and spend a few hours, or even a few minutes per day with other people.
I have days when I work 7am-11pm but also others when I spend hours with the choir practise group, or sitting on a beach chair in the woods, or just chatting with my next-door neighbour.
It's just a question of having the right frame of mind. You can only talk/write to other people if you choose to !!
I fully agree with Amy: « To me there's a big difference between "alone" and "lonely." »
Have a very nice day, all of you.
[Edited at 2009-06-24 21:01 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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i agree with Amy about the difference of "alone" and "lonely".
If it's lonely for me, it's because I want it.
But I for my part like being on my own at times. When I got enough of that I just call up some collegues and have a nice chat over a cuppa.
Cheers boys and girls.
Hope you still have as much fun working as I do.
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| A state of mind.... | Jun 24, 2009 |
It can be as lonely or as bright as you want it to be.
| | | | Lise Leavitt
United States
Local time: 11:00
Member (2008)
Danish to English
+ ...
Words are a great companion!
| | | | Nikki Graham
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:00
Spanish to English
Hell no, I have the dog and the cats. They're great conversationalists. And sometimes the postman knocks on the door and I get to say hello and thank you. And if things are really bad, I can put the sound up and listen to the printer application say "Please put paper in the auto sheet feeder" or "Black ink is low". And on really good days someone actually phones me from Spain rather than writing an email and asks if I can do 20,000 words for yesterday and I get to say, sorry but no, maybe next ... See more Hell no, I have the dog and the cats. They're great conversationalists. And sometimes the postman knocks on the door and I get to say hello and thank you. And if things are really bad, I can put the sound up and listen to the printer application say "Please put paper in the auto sheet feeder" or "Black ink is low". And on really good days someone actually phones me from Spain rather than writing an email and asks if I can do 20,000 words for yesterday and I get to say, sorry but no, maybe next time, etc., or I get a phone call asking if I want to take part in a survey about how to consolidate my debts and they actually ask me how am I, which is awfully sweet of them, since they don't know me from Adam. And then there's the highlight of the day! Lunch in front of the tele watching a soap just so that I can remember what walking talking humans are actually like (well sort of). ▲ Collapse
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but can be solitary...you spend your time working at home (unless you are an in-house translator). But as someone else said, loneliness is in the eye of the beholder etc...there are times when I kind of would like having somoene else around to chat with in person. But I am more often satisfied that I don't have to deal with office politics, annoying people, boring conversations, etc etc... and other translators are reachable by skype, msn, etc....so yes, it's solitary but I don't feel lonely.
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No, it can just happen when you are really busy, for a week and you can't go out because of your workload, well then maybe you can feel a bit lonely, but as others said, you go out, have a coffee, and then come back to work.
| | | | Williamson
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:00
Flemish to English
+ ...
A virtual world of people, some of whom you meet through their appearance on this website. Combined with interpreting, it get's interesting, because you alternate from the virtual to the real world and back.
| | | | | I agree, but... | Jun 25, 2009 |
Williamson wrote:
A virtual world of people,
I would like to add that this virtual world of people does produce real income
It is lonely at times; however, it has many advantages, in my case I love being available for my children whenever they need me.
Warm greetings!
Rocío
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