Poll: In which of these areas would you feel most comfortable giving a class to aspiring translators?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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Jul 27, 2018

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "In which of these areas would you feel most comfortable giving a class to aspiring translators?".

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Angus Stewart
Angus Stewart  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:30
Member (2011)
French to English
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Translation Theory and Practice Jul 27, 2018

If I were to give a class to aspiring translators, the area I would feel most comfortable teaching them about without a shadow of a doubt would be translation theory and practice. Not only is this a topic that I studied in detail at University, but it is also one that is fundamental to the work we do as translators. The other subjects suggested by the OP are peripheral to our key task and whilst I know enough to get by, I certainly wouldn't rate myself as an expert in them and nor would I want t... See more
If I were to give a class to aspiring translators, the area I would feel most comfortable teaching them about without a shadow of a doubt would be translation theory and practice. Not only is this a topic that I studied in detail at University, but it is also one that is fundamental to the work we do as translators. The other subjects suggested by the OP are peripheral to our key task and whilst I know enough to get by, I certainly wouldn't rate myself as an expert in them and nor would I want to become one, because if for example I decided that I really enjoyed "client acquisition" that would suggest I should be considering a career change to work in marketing.Collapse


Selene Desiré Bovo
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 13:30
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Other Jul 27, 2018

Teaching is not my job. I’m a strong believer that each job should be carried out by those who have the appropriate skill set. I'm not a teacher and don't want to become one. However I’ve always been more than happy to help a fellow translator with his/her doubts. Let’s say that I’m more a helper than a teacher…

neilmac
ipv
María Barbosa
 
Yetta Jensen Bogarde
Yetta Jensen Bogarde  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 14:30
Member (2012)
English to Danish
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All of them Jul 27, 2018

except for client acquisition, as I have never had to do a lot of marketing myself.

 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 06:30
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
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Translation theory and practice Jul 27, 2018

It's a subject I taught at Georgetown University for many years.

And translation theory was the subject of my doctoral thesis in linguistics.

[Edited at 2018-07-27 10:10 GMT]


 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 14:30
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Jul 27, 2018

I don't think I would be much use at any of these areas. And I probably don't have the patience required for teaching nowadays. As Teresa says, I don't mind helping out friends and colleagues with whatever I can, but I'm already far too busy anyway, trying to keep on top of my own work, to think about teaching in any sort of formal situation.

 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 10:30
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Practice, yes, theory, no Jul 27, 2018

I actually do that regularly. I mean, not classes, but I meet aspirants or newbies regularly in the social media that ask me for help in these areas. And I gladly help them all. I already have several small files with tips, so I mainly copy and paste them.
The areas I feel more comfortable with are the financial/admin aspects (my vote in this poll), and the (actual) practices in our market, among which I emphasize how the theory does not help a lot in our profession. So I didn't vote for t
... See more
I actually do that regularly. I mean, not classes, but I meet aspirants or newbies regularly in the social media that ask me for help in these areas. And I gladly help them all. I already have several small files with tips, so I mainly copy and paste them.
The areas I feel more comfortable with are the financial/admin aspects (my vote in this poll), and the (actual) practices in our market, among which I emphasize how the theory does not help a lot in our profession. So I didn't vote for this one, because theory and practice must be separated: Practice is very important; the theory is not worth dedicating time to.
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Amir Arzani
Kay Denney
 
Paul Dixon
Paul Dixon  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 10:30
Portuguese to English
+ ...
Guidance for beginners Jul 27, 2018

My preferred area for giving classes to aspiring translators would be how to get started in the profession, including advice as regarding books to read, materials, the importance of networking, areas of the profession. Areas of the profession is interesting (don't know which area this would come under, but few people know about the profession and its subdivisions: translation, interpretation, dubbing, proofreading, audiodescription, subtitling, LIBRAS (sign language interpreting), editing, MT ed... See more
My preferred area for giving classes to aspiring translators would be how to get started in the profession, including advice as regarding books to read, materials, the importance of networking, areas of the profession. Areas of the profession is interesting (don't know which area this would come under, but few people know about the profession and its subdivisions: translation, interpretation, dubbing, proofreading, audiodescription, subtitling, LIBRAS (sign language interpreting), editing, MT editing, localisation - don't know if I have forgotten any).
And the area most in need (I also need it): marketing and client acquisition.
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Amir Arzani
 


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Poll: In which of these areas would you feel most comfortable giving a class to aspiring translators?






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