| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | What do you love about your job? Thread poster: XXXphxxx (X)
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Sheila Wilson 
Spain
Local time: 05:34
Member (2007)
English
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| A change is as good as a rest | Nov 25, 2011 |
Ty Kendall wrote:
I qualified as a teacher, to have variety in my career so burn out in either career path was less likely.
I love playing with words (crosswords, quizzes, puns...) and I love discovering where words came from, their histories.
Even so, there would probably be times when I felt a bit isolated, maybe even trapped, at my desk if I was a 100% stay-at-home translator. But I can put on my coat, get in my car and continue to work with words, explaining their use in a face-to-face situation with French adults. And if my students aren't interesting (that happens of course with 1-to-1 teaching), I'll soon be home working on my computer. It's a perfect solution and I wouldn't want to give up either job.
Sheila
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It's great to be able to fit my hours around Jeremy Kyle and as for variety, sometimes I switch to The Real Housewives of New York.
But also, perhaps the best thing about translating is that it's not teaching.
| | | | Williamson
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:34
Flemish to English
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| You can choose where you are based. | Nov 25, 2011 |
The fact that you can choose the country where you are based, meaning the fiscally most advantageous country.
No having to commute may be an advantage, but it all depends on the kind of job you do and who your colleagues are. I guess that in a knowledge environment like the Big Five or Microsoft or Google, it must be interesting to work.
Escort-interpreting brought me before a room in a posh London and Brussels hotel where I was dining with executives, all expenses paid... See more The fact that you can choose the country where you are based, meaning the fiscally most advantageous country.
No having to commute may be an advantage, but it all depends on the kind of job you do and who your colleagues are. I guess that in a knowledge environment like the Big Five or Microsoft or Google, it must be interesting to work.
Escort-interpreting brought me before a room in a posh London and Brussels hotel where I was dining with executives, all expenses paid. So commuting to and fro with the Eurostar was not that bad.
[Edited at 2011-11-25 12:15 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 05:34
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| @ Susanna: :-) | Nov 25, 2011 |
Susanna Garcia wrote:
It's great to be able to fit my hours around Jeremy Kyle and as for variety, sometimes I switch to The Real Housewives of New York.
But also, perhaps the best thing about translating is that it's not teaching.
I used to think that, too - nobody was more surprised than hubby and I when I really took to it at the age of 40! In fact, I still think that way if we're talking about teaching school children.
Sheila
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Phil Hand
China
Local time: 12:34
Chinese to English
| Bounty hunting words and meanings | Nov 25, 2011 |
I think I'm with the crossword analogy - which is weird, because I don't actually like crosswords that much.
I can tell when I'm having fun because I start talking to my computer a lot, and it tends to happen when I'm either (a) fighting a difficult text that actually has a message, and I need to go and learn something (terminology, technology, culture) to winkle it out; or (b) when I know there must be an equivalent term in English, but don't know what it is, so I have do some circ... See more I think I'm with the crossword analogy - which is weird, because I don't actually like crosswords that much.
I can tell when I'm having fun because I start talking to my computer a lot, and it tends to happen when I'm either (a) fighting a difficult text that actually has a message, and I need to go and learn something (terminology, technology, culture) to winkle it out; or (b) when I know there must be an equivalent term in English, but don't know what it is, so I have do some circuitous research to find the perfect conceptual match.
There's always a slightly depressing moment at the end of such a process, when I realise I've spent an hour on one word, and there are 5000 more where that came from... ▲ Collapse
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I wonder if I'm the only translator who finds that the supposed 'freedom' of working from home is somewhat mythical. I rarely get to set the deadlines regarding delivery dates (most of which are pretty unrealistic) and so am constantly rushing to complete jobs. This leaves me with no time for such 'freedom' as getting up whenever I feel like it, digressing into online poker games or watching daytime TV! True, the commute from the bedroom to my office is light compared with what other poor souls ... See more I wonder if I'm the only translator who finds that the supposed 'freedom' of working from home is somewhat mythical. I rarely get to set the deadlines regarding delivery dates (most of which are pretty unrealistic) and so am constantly rushing to complete jobs. This leaves me with no time for such 'freedom' as getting up whenever I feel like it, digressing into online poker games or watching daytime TV! True, the commute from the bedroom to my office is light compared with what other poor souls have to suffer, and is accomplished without recourse to grimy, packed and overpriced public transport. Nevertheless, time still seems to be a premium. Neither do I have all that much freedom about what I might like to translate. Work comes in pretty steadily, but not enough to spend hours luxuriating over what to choose and what to refuse.
I would say that avoiding office politics, gossip and other tedium is one great boon of working from home. Most of all, though, I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of translation. The actual content of a text is, in many ways, unimportant to me. What I like (I wouldn't go for any stronger a word than that, being English) is the research and inventiveness needed to crack tough segments and produce a polished translation. I reserve the word "love" for my wife and family, and for the finer things in life: a well-earned aperitif at weekends, for example.
[Edited at 2011-11-25 15:30 GMT]
[Edited at 2011-11-25 15:30 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | kmtext
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:34
English
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| The language, the flexibility, the variety... | Nov 25, 2011 |
Having spent years commuting in to the office in London, I love being able to stay in bed that little bit longer - saying that, I'm a bit of an early bird, so I'm usually up before 6:00am. However, it's nice to know I can roll over and go back to sleep if I want to. I can choose my own hours in most cases. Occasionally, I do get overnight rush jobs, but I don't mind that now and then. At least I'm not sitting in traffic.
I'm fascinated by language, linguistics and etymology, so bein... See more Having spent years commuting in to the office in London, I love being able to stay in bed that little bit longer - saying that, I'm a bit of an early bird, so I'm usually up before 6:00am. However, it's nice to know I can roll over and go back to sleep if I want to. I can choose my own hours in most cases. Occasionally, I do get overnight rush jobs, but I don't mind that now and then. At least I'm not sitting in traffic.
I'm fascinated by language, linguistics and etymology, so being able to work with a number of different languages on a daily basis is a bonus. I really enjoy the similarities and contrasts between the different linguistic families and the influences they've exerted on each other.
In terms of variety, some days I'm working with music in the morning, and documentaries in the afternoon. I've worked on major feature films, textbooks, poetry, quiz shows... all sorts of things. Sometimes, I have to work on projects which are totally enervating, but I usually have something better to look forward to at the end of them.
The flexibility offered by being your own boss is fantastic. I can go shopping or to the bank and so on while everyone else is at work. I can start early or finish late and don't have anyone looking over my shoulder to make sure I'm working.
The downsides are sometimes having to wait for money and having to do all of a large project by myself. I've had a number of clients in the past for whom prompt payments weren't a priority. The worst of those took eight months to pay up although they expected me to turn around a last-minute job in under 12 hours. I usually have to work on a whole series of TV programmes one after another. When I worked in-house, those jobs were usually shared out between a number of people, so I rarely had to do even two episodes of the same series consecutively. About the only other downside I can think of is not being able to upwardly delegate when there's a problem.
If I won the lottery tonight, I would still carry on with my job, but I'd definitely cut down my hours and would probably go back to university. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ivana Kahle
Germany
Local time: 06:34
Member (2007)
German to Croatian
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I love (not just like) the idea that I can just grab my laptop, cell phone and a couple of essential dictionaries and work from any corner in the world that has a decent Internet connection
Speaking of which ... I'm tired of fog in my home town and plan to move to my holiday apartment at the seaside for a couple of weeks! And I don't have to notify anyone since I'll be reachable and at disposal as usual. That's my idea of "wo... See more I love (not just like) the idea that I can just grab my laptop, cell phone and a couple of essential dictionaries and work from any corner in the world that has a decent Internet connection
Speaking of which ... I'm tired of fog in my home town and plan to move to my holiday apartment at the seaside for a couple of weeks! And I don't have to notify anyone since I'll be reachable and at disposal as usual. That's my idea of "working holiday" ▲ Collapse
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Dave Bindon
Greece
Local time: 07:34
Greek to English
In memoriam
I'm quite happy to call translating a 'job' and to say that I 'love' it. I like cashew nuts, but my feelings towards my work are much stronger, and the term 'love' feels entirely appropriate.
This job has allowed me to move to the country I love, where I pay less to live in a much larger apartment much closer to the centre of town than I did in London. I earn more money (in real terms as well as relative terms), but work far fewer hou... See more I'm quite happy to call translating a 'job' and to say that I 'love' it. I like cashew nuts, but my feelings towards my work are much stronger, and the term 'love' feels entirely appropriate.
This job has allowed me to move to the country I love, where I pay less to live in a much larger apartment much closer to the centre of town than I did in London. I earn more money (in real terms as well as relative terms), but work far fewer hours. I don't have to commute, which saves 2 hours a day plus 200 GBP per month (and, in Greece at the moment, that means that I don't have to worry about which transport system is shut because of strikes).
I can look after my orchids (my hobby) as much as I need to. Some of them need to be sprayed with water 5 times a day during the warmer months: impossible to do if you work in an office unless you have very expensive (and ugly) automated systems.
The words "I can't, because I have work the next day" rarely cross my lips. I rarely let myself get into a situation where I'm pushed to meet deadlines, so I can usually have 'party nights' with friends midweek if I want to.
Unlike my experience of employment in London, now I like all of my colleagues and bosses: me, myself and I!
More importantly, as several others have said, I enjoy the 'work'. I'm learning all the time. I feel like I'm getting paid to solve cryptic crosswords. I enjoy the process of translating.
Most importantly, however, I love Greek. Like Ty (whose source language is Hebrew) I really love my source language. I could translate French>English too, but I choose not to. The Greek language is my passion. I love the language, and I love translating it. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Many reasons | Nov 27, 2011 |
There are many reasons why I love being a translator.
I set my own hours, I only take on projects I find interesting, and, most importantly, I can adapt my days in a way I can raise my son without him or my work suffering.
As a single parent, it is great to be able to choose to work during my son's school hours (7 to 11:30), spend his free time with him, and continue working once he's in bed.
Furthermore, there is no commuting, so one doesn't lose time getting to work o... See more There are many reasons why I love being a translator.
I set my own hours, I only take on projects I find interesting, and, most importantly, I can adapt my days in a way I can raise my son without him or my work suffering.
As a single parent, it is great to be able to choose to work during my son's school hours (7 to 11:30), spend his free time with him, and continue working once he's in bed.
Furthermore, there is no commuting, so one doesn't lose time getting to work or getting back, one keeps learning, almost on a daily basis, and, with good planning, one can escape to the beach ( or some place else) once in a while during a project.
I loved being a language teacher, but I love this job even more, and I can't imagine ever leaving this job, even if I wouldn't need the money any more. ▲ Collapse
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Hi all,
I've only been a freelance translator for over a year but so far I love everything about it:
- being able to work from Paradise: I live in a great ski resort in the French Alps. Most people here work in the tourist industry and depend on snow to make a living. I get work 12 months a year and don't have to worry about the current lack of snow - it just means I spend my time-off jogging and climbing instead of skiing!
- getting up at any time you want... See more Hi all,
I've only been a freelance translator for over a year but so far I love everything about it:
- being able to work from Paradise: I live in a great ski resort in the French Alps. Most people here work in the tourist industry and depend on snow to make a living. I get work 12 months a year and don't have to worry about the current lack of snow - it just means I spend my time-off jogging and climbing instead of skiing!
- getting up at any time you want: I used to work in hotels as a "seasonnaire" where I would often have to get up at 6 or earlier to go serve breakfast - or finish work at 10pm or later after the dinner service. Now I can still get up at 6 or work till 10 - but only if I feel like it. I love the freedom!
- money: I have never made this much before
- the work itself: I've always loved translating, since university. I love the variety from one project to the next, I like the fact that I learn new things (or new words) every day and I'm happy to be getting more and more work in the fields I specialize in (like technical texts for ski catalogues, or a film about Alpine wildlife).
- no "office politics", as I've seen it referred to: not having to deal with your colleagues' bad mood, except on Proz but no one is forcing you to read all the negative stuff on the forum
There's probably more but I think those are the most important and enjoyable things for me.
It's great to have a thread about something positive here for a change!
Have a great day everybody!
Cécile ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:34
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Lisa Simpson wrote:
"I love my job because ...."
---I am fascinated by what happens in the act of translation. For interesting reflections on this, my constant reference is Walter Benjamin's essay (which I can only read in translation!) "The Task of the Translator".
Most (or all) of the replies here actually refer to a different question, which would be "what I like about being self-employed" - which could be as a translator or anything else.
[Edited at 2011-11-27 10:57 GMT]
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Jean-Pierre Artigau (X)
Canada
Local time: 00:34
English to French
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That I can accept or reject any assignment presented to me, that I can go on vacation whenever I like without having to explain.
Jean-Pierre
| | | | | Alzheimer vaccine | Nov 27, 2011 |
...a lot of jobs I've had have actually had a numbing effect on my brain. On the other hand, translation - and even better, freelance translation (where you're exposed to a wide variety of texts in one year), is always "stimulating" in the sense that it always has your brain working hard. And with the latest findings on how the use of several languages on a daily basis slows the development of Alzheimers, well, that is one of the very positive aspects of it.
... See more ...a lot of jobs I've had have actually had a numbing effect on my brain. On the other hand, translation - and even better, freelance translation (where you're exposed to a wide variety of texts in one year), is always "stimulating" in the sense that it always has your brain working hard. And with the latest findings on how the use of several languages on a daily basis slows the development of Alzheimers, well, that is one of the very positive aspects of it.
(on the other hand - I don't think it's very good for my back or my future pension) ▲ Collapse
| | | | Emma Goldsmith
Spain
Local time: 06:34
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
Dave Bindon wrote:
I feel like I'm getting paid to solve cryptic crosswords.
That's a brilliant analogy.
And it's just what came to mind the other day when I had to transcribe/translate Spanish audio on a complicated medical subject into English written text. I listened umpteen times to certain sentences, without being able to catch the exact word, and then after reading around the subject and really investigating, I suddenly realised what was being said. Just like figuring out the answer to a crossword.
PS. I love my job too!
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