| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | Poll: Was translation your first choice as a career? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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Eliza-Anna 
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:00
Danish to English
+ ...
| Yes, from the age of fifteen! | Jun 20, 2007 |
Originally I wanted to study Greek and translate from Greek to English. I was lucky enough to learn Classical Greek at school and I always had an image of Greece in my mind as a country where people are open minded and thrive on discussion.
In the end, I could not get into a university that offered Greek. Instead I studied French and Scandinavian Studies (Danish as my main language). I assumed French would be my main language, but eventually my Danish overtook my French. I am ... See more Originally I wanted to study Greek and translate from Greek to English. I was lucky enough to learn Classical Greek at school and I always had an image of Greece in my mind as a country where people are open minded and thrive on discussion.
In the end, I could not get into a university that offered Greek. Instead I studied French and Scandinavian Studies (Danish as my main language). I assumed French would be my main language, but eventually my Danish overtook my French. I am very pleased about this now, as I really like Danish and I consider Denmark to be my second country. I go on holiday to Greece quite regularly and I am learning modern Greek, but I do not use it for work.
I also like translating because I am using my languages. By sheer coincidence my German grandmother was a translator - she must have been one of the first inhouse translators. She worked for a bank translating between German and English. I am very proud of her because she was one of the women who protested against women not being paid the same as men. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Claire Cox
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:00
French to English
+ ...
| Yes, via a brief stint in the bank | Jun 20, 2007 |
Yes, I always knew from my university days that I wanted to translate as it was the translation side of my course that really inspired me. I managed to engineer a stint as a proof-reader in a translation agency in Germany for one of my six-month spells abroad, which convinced me that translation was the job for me.
However, when it came to finding a job after university, translation jobs in North-West England were few and far between and as I was getting married and my fiancé was a... See more Yes, I always knew from my university days that I wanted to translate as it was the translation side of my course that really inspired me. I managed to engineer a stint as a proof-reader in a translation agency in Germany for one of my six-month spells abroad, which convinced me that translation was the job for me.
However, when it came to finding a job after university, translation jobs in North-West England were few and far between and as I was getting married and my fiancé was already based in the North-West, that was where I had to be. Having worked in a bank during my university vacations, I applied for and was accepted on the bank's graduate management trainee scheme, and spent 9 months doing that. I have to confess my heart probably wasn't in it though and when one of the speculative letters I'd written to the local big engineering companies bore fruit in the shape of an interview for an in-house translator - 5 minutes walk from my house! - I thought I'd struck gold! Sure enough, I got the job and I've never regretted becoming a translator. I still love what I do and I'm sure there aren't many people who can say that after 20+ years!
I don't think the bank were very happy after investing all that money putting me through their training programme, but you have to do what's best for you.
Following on from Eliza-Anna's comments, it transpires that one of my great-aunts was a translator too and I never found out until recently - must be in the genes!
[Edited at 2007-06-20 18:04]
[Edited at 2007-06-20 18:04] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Сергей Лузан
Russian Federation
Local time: 23:00
German to Russian
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In my childhood I wanted to be a cosmonaut. Then I tried out many professions (including tutoring, CEO, half-pro rugby player, construction worker, economical consulting, successful solo stage performance (that's a must in the business), science, politics, TV, radio & press journalism, humourist writing, head of experts council in a bank, movie voiceover, etc. - and quite successfully by the way). Everything helps me now, but I'm still inclined to think that it's not a profession (even inspite o... See more In my childhood I wanted to be a cosmonaut. Then I tried out many professions (including tutoring, CEO, half-pro rugby player, construction worker, economical consulting, successful solo stage performance (that's a must in the business), science, politics, TV, radio & press journalism, humourist writing, head of experts council in a bank, movie voiceover, etc. - and quite successfully by the way). Everything helps me now, but I'm still inclined to think that it's not a profession (even inspite of the fact it allows to earn my living). Just temporary ocupation for a guy who interpreted even in the high level. Never thought of it in fact But translated occasionally since the age of 18 (just new English & German what was quite rare in the former USSR). What a failure
[Edited at 2007-06-20 18:21] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Get some professional experience first | Jun 20, 2007 |
ProZ.com Staff wrote:
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Was translation your first choice as a career?". This poll was originally submitted by Nicolas CoyerView the poll hereA forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629
Before becoming a full-time translator, isn't it wise (if not essential) to get some professional working experience in one field or another? Otherwise, how can one say that one has a "specialist subject" - which it seems that most agencies require? Knowledge of languages on its own is not enough.
Like another answerer here, I too started as a bi- (or actually tri) lingual secretary, and worked in investment banking in London and New York. Although not a pleasant environment to work in - deeply neurotic people - it gave me a good grounding in banking terminology and processes. I also worked as a teacher of French and Spanish for years (teenagers - exhausting!) while also translating part-time. Now I'm extremely happy as a full-time translator and wouldn't do anything else. Both my parents were translators (as well as other things) and my son is too, so yes, it must be in the genes.
Regards,
Jenny.
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biankonera
Latvia
Local time: 22:00
Italian to Latvian
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I studied to become a diplomat (to be an ambassador was my dream) but 4 years of studies kind of made me realize its not really what Im looking for.
I wanted to study graphic design but unfortunatelly that was impossible since I totally dont know how to draw (can make graphic design using my programs but when it comes to drawing Im hopeless).
So I tried to be a tour guide and even went to work for public administration bodies but never felt any happiness there. Though as was said ear... See more I studied to become a diplomat (to be an ambassador was my dream) but 4 years of studies kind of made me realize its not really what Im looking for.
I wanted to study graphic design but unfortunatelly that was impossible since I totally dont know how to draw (can make graphic design using my programs but when it comes to drawing Im hopeless).
So I tried to be a tour guide and even went to work for public administration bodies but never felt any happiness there. Though as was said earlier - every experience is priceless for a translator.
Anyway, as time went by I put together pieces of puzzle - writing, my love for languages, creativity, ability to stay away from an office - and here you have it: have become a translator. And I can swear it IS my dream job! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Well... yes and no | Jun 20, 2007 |
I started learning Swedish when I was 3, at the Swedish school in Palma de Mallorca, Spain (my father is Swedish but they decided I should have a consecutive language approach to bilingualism), and that's when I started interpreting for my mother (who is a monolingual Spanish speaker).
English came when I was 8, and living in Mallorca (a popular tourist resort) I was soon interpreting in all sorts of settings (meetings with doctors, parent-student meetings in the Swedish school, rea... See more I started learning Swedish when I was 3, at the Swedish school in Palma de Mallorca, Spain (my father is Swedish but they decided I should have a consecutive language approach to bilingualism), and that's when I started interpreting for my mother (who is a monolingual Spanish speaker).
English came when I was 8, and living in Mallorca (a popular tourist resort) I was soon interpreting in all sorts of settings (meetings with doctors, parent-student meetings in the Swedish school, real estate...). We had friends of multiple origins with whom I delighted in speaking in different tongues. We also did a lot of traveling, mom and me - and guess who was in charge of being a link between her and a foreign-language-speaking world?
German came at 12, Italian at 18, French at 24... I love languages! And I can say I have a "lifetime experience" in interpretation, sight translation (reading out loud in Spanish any fascinating text I came across in a different language, or letters from my Swedish family), then also translation.
Now, workwise, I first wanted to become a dietitian, then a singer, an actress, a playwright (and some other things as well). While I was in the process of changing my mind, I applied for translation jobs as a means to earn a living while doing other things. I started getting a growing amount of work as a freelance translator. I noticed I already was a translator, I liked being one, and I was good at it. That's when I decided to put aside the other college degrees I was pursuing and go for Linguistics, which for a trilingual Spanish-Swedish-English speaker was the only one that really made sense.
So I went to BYU in Utah, completed my BA in Linguistics with University Honors, took the ATA certification exam, and now I'm back home in Spain. Happy as ever to be a freelancer, enjoying being a translator, but also toying with the idea of some kind of multilingual speaking job (whether consecutive interpretation or "multilingual link," I don't know) because I love speaking languages, not only writing them.
That's an abbreviated version of the story of my life. ▲ Collapse
| | | | 1279 (X)
Local time: 15:00
| nutritionist first, but always a linguist at heart! | Jun 20, 2007 |
I was trained as a Dietitian and worked with both Spanish and English-speaking clients. I quickly realized I was not interested enough in nutrition to stay with it for a lifetime.
Now, looking back, I realize there were many signs that I was a linguist at heart: extreme attention to grammar, compiling glossaries of obscure terms in multiple languages, spending all spare cash on language resources, and avoiding studying for my actual college courses so I would have more time for lan... See more I was trained as a Dietitian and worked with both Spanish and English-speaking clients. I quickly realized I was not interested enough in nutrition to stay with it for a lifetime.
Now, looking back, I realize there were many signs that I was a linguist at heart: extreme attention to grammar, compiling glossaries of obscure terms in multiple languages, spending all spare cash on language resources, and avoiding studying for my actual college courses so I would have more time for language practice.
Now I translate/interprete full time. I love it and will never leave it! (If I get bored, I can always branch out into other specialty areas or working languages.) ▲ Collapse
| | | | Anthony Baldwin
United States
Local time: 15:00
Portuguese to English
+ ...
| the long and winding road | Jun 20, 2007 |
I didn´t even know it was an option, until 2005.
I first studied to be a teacher, and worked as an English teacher in public schools.
I also studied comparative religions, and had a great interest in other cultures.
I grew up with Spanish speaking family and friends all around, and then studied French in school.
I kind of had a long career as a waiter while going to school, though.
And, I painted a lot of houses.
When public school teaching left me in poverty... See more I didn´t even know it was an option, until 2005.
I first studied to be a teacher, and worked as an English teacher in public schools.
I also studied comparative religions, and had a great interest in other cultures.
I grew up with Spanish speaking family and friends all around, and then studied French in school.
I kind of had a long career as a waiter while going to school, though.
And, I painted a lot of houses.
When public school teaching left me in poverty, I started a painting contractor business, and that didn´t pan out too well, either.
I continued to wait tables part time, too.
But, when I met Mrs. Baldwin, and learned her native tongue (portuguese), I suddenly realized, ¨I can speak 4 languages (English, French, Spanish & Portuguese), so I thought, ¨there must be something I can do with that¨.
I did a little research, found a local interpreting agency and signed on, and it went from there....
Now, I wish I had thought of it sooner.
I totally dig this job. ▲ Collapse
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mediamatrix (X)
Local time: 17:00
Spanish to English
+ ...
Having had French, German and Latin rammed down my throat - to no avail - at an English grammar school while I was actually trying concentrate on getting into university to study electronic engineering, the last thing I wanted to do was be a translator!
Later, having earned my ticket as a broadcast engineer and got a reasonable job doing what I enjoyed most - with the erstwhile BBC, in London - I discovered I could do better, at least from a financial viewpoint.
I appli... See more Having had French, German and Latin rammed down my throat - to no avail - at an English grammar school while I was actually trying concentrate on getting into university to study electronic engineering, the last thing I wanted to do was be a translator!
Later, having earned my ticket as a broadcast engineer and got a reasonable job doing what I enjoyed most - with the erstwhile BBC, in London - I discovered I could do better, at least from a financial viewpoint.
I applied for - and got - a job as a technical translator with an organization then based in Brussels. I doubled my salary overnight (NB: this was 30 years ago - it wouldn't happen now, translators’ salaries being what they are today...).
I soon got to grips with translation. Most of what I was translating was stuff I could have authored myself, so it didn't matter too much if the vocabulary and grammar were unfamiliar. It was indeed fortunate that my new employer was very enlightened and understood that it was far more important that I should understand the technology than have anything more than a low-grade O-level in French!
And over the ensuing years I found that this was actually a very good way of getting close to the engineering I liked most.
The 1980s saw the whole technical paradigm for radio and television broadcasting begin to shift from analogue to digital. I was privileged to work every day translating the fundamental research done by the key European research establishments involved in the pan-European collaboration process that led to the standardization of the DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) and DVB (Digital Video broadcasting) systems that are now being rolled out as fully-fledged broadcast delivery systems targeting the vast majority of homes, worldwide, whether by cable, satellite or terrestrial transmission. I also worked in support of the development of numerous systems used internally by broadcasters, such as the world's first digital television recording format ("D1"), digital video and audio interface standards, and a host of others. Several of these systems earned Emmy Awards and other international acolades for my employer - and I have no qualms in accepting my small share of the credit...
Such was the novelty of these developments that I was able on numerous occasions to persuade my bosses that in order to be absolutely sure that my translations were satisfactory I ought to attend meetings of the study groups that were developing these systems and talk with the engineers and scientists who were reinventing broadcasting.
One thing lead to another: soon I had privileged access to demonstrations of the first prototype systems. I recall, for example - it must have been in 1986 or thereabouts - that I attended the first private demonstrations in Europe of the Japanese high-definition TV display systems, on a university campus in the UK. The screen was small - compared with the 500-dollar plasma screens flooding the stores today - and the quality was little better than that achievable on any good analogue display. But the most striking thing was that the screen was linked via several 2-inch multi-core cables to a truck parked outside the building containing enough electronic hardware to fill the entire home of any self-respecting translator, and a 10 kW diesel-generator whose sole purpose was to keep the screen alive.
Over the years, my work expanded to include the job of chief editor of the organization’s technical journal and I was also responsible for the publication of European and international standards documents in this specialist field. I got on first-name terms with dozens of the world's top specialists - from thirty or more countries - and I was regularly impressed not only by what they were achieving but also their concern to communicate effectively, through me in my capacity as 'controller of English' for this multilingual community, and thereby promote the establishment of worldwide standards.
Now, having taken early retirement and left most of that behind, I confess to letting loose a satisfied smile when I see certain KudoZ questions in the 'media' field. Why? Well, it's simply that 20 years ago I spent many late-night hours in hotel bars around Europe, the US and Japan, hammering out with the boffins the terminology that best suited certain new concepts that are now the basis of the systems mentioned earlier.
So, would I want to be a translator if I could start over? Not likely!
MediaMatrix ▲ Collapse
| | | | Andrea Riffo
Chile
Local time: 17:00
English to Spanish
+ ...
| should I answer "yes", or "no"? | Jun 20, 2007 |
I did want to be a translator... but I also wanted to be an anthropologist, or a psychologist, or a nurse, or a speech-hearing therapist, or a journalist, or an elementary-school teacher, or get a BA in Literature. And I'm not talking about all the carreers I liked in the course of my school years (if that were the case we'd have to add clown and astronaut in my early years, or chemist around 6th grade), but of the carreers I was interested in whe... See more I did want to be a translator... but I also wanted to be an anthropologist, or a psychologist, or a nurse, or a speech-hearing therapist, or a journalist, or an elementary-school teacher, or get a BA in Literature. And I'm not talking about all the carreers I liked in the course of my school years (if that were the case we'd have to add clown and astronaut in my early years, or chemist around 6th grade), but of the carreers I was interested in when I finished high school and had to pick just one.
I picked the BA in Literature + Translation because the first one helped me learn more on a discipline I always loved, while Translation, which was also one of the 10 possibilities I was seriously considering at 17, has given me the chance of being a part of all the other choices I left behind...
So, should I say that Translation was my first choice, considering that I actually had 10 (or 9) "first choices"? ▲ Collapse
| | | | Paola Giardina
Argentina
Local time: 17:00
Member (2006)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Hi,
I absolutely was born to be a translator…ja ja…
When I finished secondary school, I had two "careers" in mind: Literature and Translation.
I've always loved languages, so this two "fields" were appropriate for me.
One of them meant to be a teacher; the other meant to work habitually alone at home. (Now I see that my job means meeting people, but mostly on-line...)
I'm a little shy, so I chose the second option.
I'm not used to speak in front of a class... See more Hi,
I absolutely was born to be a translator…ja ja…
When I finished secondary school, I had two "careers" in mind: Literature and Translation.
I've always loved languages, so this two "fields" were appropriate for me.
One of them meant to be a teacher; the other meant to work habitually alone at home. (Now I see that my job means meeting people, but mostly on-line...)
I'm a little shy, so I chose the second option.
I'm not used to speak in front of a class, and I’m not sure I could do it either...
I decided to get my degree as Sworn Translator of English, since I’ve studied that language for more than 10 years, and then I studied literature for a few years at university as well, only for my pleasure.
I worked with doctors as a secretary for a couple of years, but I missed my métier.
I'm very pleased to be a freelancer.
I enjoy my work very much.
I think I made the correct decision.
Regards! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Pamela Cruz
Chile
Local time: 17:00
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Just wanted to be independent... | Jun 20, 2007 |
Since I was pretty young I always thought on having a job that allowed me to take care of my family. I was not interested in having the regular office-work, telecommuting, etc. I wanted to work from home.
First I studied Industrial Design, but the thing is that, after 2 semesters, it seemed to me too 'dead' as I felt there was nothing challenging on it. I just could not imagine myself doing the same thing for 5, 10, 20 years... :-S
I quit College and started to work in ... See more Since I was pretty young I always thought on having a job that allowed me to take care of my family. I was not interested in having the regular office-work, telecommuting, etc. I wanted to work from home.
First I studied Industrial Design, but the thing is that, after 2 semesters, it seemed to me too 'dead' as I felt there was nothing challenging on it. I just could not imagine myself doing the same thing for 5, 10, 20 years... :-S
I quit College and started to work in sales. About a year later, I decided to get to College again: I started to 'miss' formal learning and then I had the time and some savings to do it again. I chose a career which I thought it would be easier for me, because I love languages and they are easy to learn in my case, so I wouldn't have to wait too long for having my own money again...
Since the beginning, I was delighted because of the permanent challenge of delivering a perfect job. It keeps me alive, aware and... at home! ▲ Collapse
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Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:00
Russian to English
+ ...
In memoriam | Another frustrated would-be fighter pilot | Jun 20, 2007 |
Like Diamantis, I wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force. I joined the RAF, trained as an engine fitter, then applied for aircrew training. Diamantis' left eye stopped him. In my case, it was my left ear. So I was stuck with being an engine fitter, didn't like it much, saw an opportunity to go on a Russian course, and have been translating in various forms ever since.
| | | | | a couple of detours | Jun 20, 2007 |
First, I taught undergrad students (medieval literature). That was in the Seventies and I did not like it very much: too many faces in one room staring at me. Too much talking involved. Too many fundamental discussions.
I decided to work with sheep for a while. I liked that. The sheep were staring at me, but in a friendly way. They also did not expect me to talk to them all the time. Their learning capacity was limited, though.
Then I had a child. I was amazed: for a ... See more First, I taught undergrad students (medieval literature). That was in the Seventies and I did not like it very much: too many faces in one room staring at me. Too much talking involved. Too many fundamental discussions.
I decided to work with sheep for a while. I liked that. The sheep were staring at me, but in a friendly way. They also did not expect me to talk to them all the time. Their learning capacity was limited, though.
Then I had a child. I was amazed: for a while, everything I said was simply repeated after me! I liked that: no more hermeneutic discussions. Also, whatever I did or neglected to do had immediate consequences. I learned to focus on the basics.
(I did this four times, just to make sure I got it right).
Next, I taught kindergarten children. They were looking up to me, which was a good thing, I thought. I learned two dozen fingerplays, creative tricks to avert tantrums in public, and countless nursery rhymes, all of which I liked. But the constant chatter began to wear me out.
Then, I needed money. I sat down with my favourite children’s book and translated it. I liked it a lot! I got certified. I liked that even better. Now, nobody is staring at me while I work! There’s a heavenly silence in my room. Some fingerplays involved, but only on the keyboard! Plus, lots to learn, every day.
[Edited at 2007-06-25 00:59] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Silvia Hernandez (X)
Costa Rica
Local time: 14:00
Spanish to English
+ ...
It is not my career, but rather a part-time job that pays for my travels and keeps me busy while studying medicine, which is my true passion and what shall be my career in the future.
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