| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: As a translator, I couldn't live without... Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "As a translator, I couldn't live without...".
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| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 23:44
English to French
+ ...
Several but not all of the above... Internet is my main connection to the outside world, a handful of colleagues are (long time) friends and efficient support.
I would add "some of my customers" to the list, because of the win-win relationship we developed over the years: some agencies do not just dispatch jobs, they take personal preferences into account. All is not always just a matter of money, customer satisfaction is important and so is providers' (translators') well-being!
... See more Several but not all of the above... Internet is my main connection to the outside world, a handful of colleagues are (long time) friends and efficient support.
I would add "some of my customers" to the list, because of the win-win relationship we developed over the years: some agencies do not just dispatch jobs, they take personal preferences into account. All is not always just a matter of money, customer satisfaction is important and so is providers' (translators') well-being!
I would find it very hard to work without that human dimension! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Claire Cox
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:44
French to English
+ ...
I put all because I wouldn't want to do without any of those aspects, but I started translating professionally in 1984 when there was no Internet and I obviously could do without it then! I'm sure the quality of my translations has improved considerably now that I have the internet's research facilities at my fingertips, so I certainly wouldn't want to go back in time. I use dictionaries much less these days than I used to but there are times when I can only find the answer in one of my trusted ... See more I put all because I wouldn't want to do without any of those aspects, but I started translating professionally in 1984 when there was no Internet and I obviously could do without it then! I'm sure the quality of my translations has improved considerably now that I have the internet's research facilities at my fingertips, so I certainly wouldn't want to go back in time. I use dictionaries much less these days than I used to but there are times when I can only find the answer in one of my trusted dictionaries or glossaries. Other translators too are an invaluable resource for knowledge, companionship and support and essential for an isolated freelancer. ▲ Collapse
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Thayenga 
Germany
Local time: 23:44
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Teresa Borges wrote:
My clients!
I voted All of the above, but ofcourse Teresa is absolutely right.
What/where would we be as translators without our clients?
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Thayenga wrote: Teresa Borges wrote:
My clients! I voted All of the above, but ofcourse Teresa is absolutely right. What/where would we be as translators without our clients?
With all the clients in the world, I would be able to cater to but just a handful of them - with snail-mail!!
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 23:44
Spanish to English
+ ...
I currently depend on internet for my job - most importantly to send and receive work, but also for research and communication in general. I also use it for entertainment, so I would obviously miss it terribly.
However, if push came to shove, I could live without it. I couldn't work in the same way as I do now, but life goes on as it did before the internet so I'd have to seek a solution. Until then, I'll worry it it when it happens.
| | | | Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 14:44
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam
I will ask: "Honey, what the heck is a supercalifragilisticexpialidocioussomethingfrommarsorarea51 washer or stupid screw or somethingbolt?", and he will grin, go into the garage, rummage through his approximately 2 million different metal thingies on hand and explain it to me. Coooool!!!!!
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I thought for a second about dictionary - but only one??!!
Only today I was muttering that some of the rubbish will have to go to make room on my side table for more books.  They are not all strictly dictionaries, but I have just completed a medical job where I learnt a lot - so several heavy tomes, monolingual and bilingual, have been thoroughly aired.
Which brings me to the Internet. My own collection of ... See more I thought for a second about dictionary - but only one??!!
Only today I was muttering that some of the rubbish will have to go to make room on my side table for more books. They are not all strictly dictionaries, but I have just completed a medical job where I learnt a lot - so several heavy tomes, monolingual and bilingual, have been thoroughly aired.
Which brings me to the Internet. My own collection of books doesn't cover my needs, and the latest versions of the big dictionaries are handier online... I remember when we actually used the library, and I trained to work in reference libraries back when you had to use those instead...
The days are long gone when you could manage with snail-mail and the occasional phone call as my father used to do between the half-yearly conferences!
Clients? Would never have managed that medical job without expert help. (And their money doesn't smell either!)
Proz.com? I'd go mad if I had to spend ALL my coffee breaks on fresh air and exercise... And directly or sometimes very indirectly, that is where a lot of my clients find me.
Edited to add:
Wow, Nicole! Mine isn't quite like that - they're obviously both unique, but mine is absolutely indispensible on occasions...
[Edited at 2012-03-21 10:54 GMT]
[Edited at 2012-03-21 10:56 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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I did do some translation before the internet, but the internet has really revolutionized the business. I wouldn't have the clients I have overseas, we wouldn't have services like paypal, email has made it possible to contact and reach people, SKYPE etc. The internet has made it possible for translators to increase their business as well as reach other translators and network!
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Teresa Borges wrote:
My clients!
I won't be a translator if nobody needs my services.
| | | | Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 22:44
Member (2010)
French to English
+ ...
| all the above | Mar 21, 2012 |
and agree with all the above comments as well.
The Internet is absolutely wonderful (and saves those hours of research in libraries)and I mostly use online dictionaries but sometimes have to use hardback ones or glossaries I've built.
Fellow translators on forums like this as it is quite isolating being a freelancer.
And of course, clients are absolutely essential while some project managers can be very helpful as well.
'@ Nicole, how wonderful to ha... See more and agree with all the above comments as well.
The Internet is absolutely wonderful (and saves those hours of research in libraries)and I mostly use online dictionaries but sometimes have to use hardback ones or glossaries I've built.
Fellow translators on forums like this as it is quite isolating being a freelancer.
And of course, clients are absolutely essential while some project managers can be very helpful as well.
'@ Nicole, how wonderful to have such a "resource" ▲ Collapse
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jacana54 (X)
Uruguay
English to Spanish
+ ...
| | | John Cutler
Spain
Local time: 23:44
Spanish to English
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Lucia Colombino wrote:
Two cups please.
Tea and coffee came to my mind too.
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the nerves in times of intense stress 
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