Poll: Do you think that undergoing training in one's area of specialization is important? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you think that undergoing training in one's area of specialization is important?".
This poll was originally submitted by Julianne Rowland. View the poll results »
| | | | Adnan Özdemir 
Türkiye
Local time: 07:05
Member (2007)
German to Turkish
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| No, depends on translator | Mar 21, 2011 |
I work as polyglot translator. Since 1988 professional translator/interpreter....
I love ''translation between different branches''. I don't believe ''training in one's area of specialization.
Anadolu'dan selamlar
Saludos desde Anatolia
| | | | David Wright
Austria
Local time: 06:05
German to English
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I voted yes, but on reflection I think the source of one's subject knowledge is irrelevant - if I were a fanatical railway fan as a result of years of trainspotting around Britain and knew all there was to know about railways and related aspects, and was very familiar with the material in another language, I would not feel that training, even if there was any, would bring me any advantages. It's what you know that matters, not where you got it!
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 06:05
English to French
+ ...
I do not think it is necessary to "undergo" a formal training. IMHO, interest, curiosity and hands on are far more important, efficient and profitable. They are some sort of training too, in their own way, but you do not "undergo" them, you must play an active part...
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Most often, undergoing trainings is a waste of time. Sometimes, however, trainings may help make useful connections. As regards honing one's professional skills, there is nothing more helpful than work practice!
| | | | Rolf Kern
Switzerland
Local time: 06:05
English to German
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In memoriam
I wrote "no" because I do not understand what the asker meant by "training".
| | | | mediamatrix (X)
Local time: 00:05
Spanish to English
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Surely a 'specialist' is, by definition, someone who 'already knows everything there is to know' in their specialist field; or, failing that, has acquired sufficient knowledge and professional skills to be able to add to, or update, that specialist knowledge 'off their own bat' without 'undergoing training'.
MediaMatrix
| | | | Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 22:05
Dutch to English
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| Don't understand the question | Mar 21, 2011 |
If you have an area of specialization, you already have training or knowledge or experience in that area, so further training is optional.
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Patricia Charnet
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:05
Member (2009)
English to French
having a law degree made me understand legal texts even when badly written
having been trained by a pharmaceutical physician for 18 years checking my understanding of the medical side helps me a lot when translating medical documents, particularly when the author has a poor understanding of the medical terminology
if you can, I would recommend it - it makes a big difference - get to know people in the fields you specialise in and get an appropriate understanding of the ... See more having a law degree made me understand legal texts even when badly written
having been trained by a pharmaceutical physician for 18 years checking my understanding of the medical side helps me a lot when translating medical documents, particularly when the author has a poor understanding of the medical terminology
if you can, I would recommend it - it makes a big difference - get to know people in the fields you specialise in and get an appropriate understanding of the fields ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Depends on the field | Mar 21, 2011 |
I should think if you're a medical interpreter or translator you might want formal education in procedures, equipment, drugs, etc. If you're interpreting in court, you want to have some education in the judicial system, not necessarily a law degree but some kind of certification.
For many other fields, it's optimal but not critical.
[Edited at 2011-03-21 17:23 GMT]
| | | | | My thoughts exactly :) | Mar 21, 2011 |
Interlangue wrote:
I do not think it is necessary to "undergo" a formal training. IMHO, interest, curiosity and hands on are far more important, efficient and profitable. They are some sort of training too, in their own way, but you do not "undergo" them, you must play an active part...
I could not agree more
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I translate preety much of industrial automation. Last year I have visited the Hannover Messe to see all the devices LIVE. It turned out to be a great idea. Since than it is much easier for me to imagine the very idea of all this switches and cables. This year I want to go to two major Polish exhibitions in that field. I also subscribed a mechanical magazine just to see what's going on in the industry.
I also agree with patricia. Having a legal degree makes it much easier to come to... See more I translate preety much of industrial automation. Last year I have visited the Hannover Messe to see all the devices LIVE. It turned out to be a great idea. Since than it is much easier for me to imagine the very idea of all this switches and cables. This year I want to go to two major Polish exhibitions in that field. I also subscribed a mechanical magazine just to see what's going on in the industry.
I also agree with patricia. Having a legal degree makes it much easier to come to the very point of „what the author wanted to say“. It also helps to identify quotes from legal bills, which are quite often included into contracts. ▲ Collapse
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Laureana Pavon
Uruguay
Local time: 01:05
Member (2007)
English to Spanish
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MODERATOR
mediamatrix wrote:
Surely a 'specialist' is, by definition, someone who 'already knows everything there is to know' in their specialist field; or, failing that, has acquired sufficient knowledge and professional skills to be able to add to, or update, that specialist knowledge 'off their own bat' without 'undergoing training'.
MediaMatrix
I disagree with this definition of 'specialist'. Specialists are constantly updating their knowledge, that's what makes them specialists.
Just imagine, for example, an IT specialist working strictly with the knowledge he/she acquired a couple of years ago
Or a specialized lawyer who is not up to date on the most recent court rulings...
Or a pediatrician who refuses to keep up to date with the latest news...
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