Poll: Why can't people call translators "translators"? Which of these have you seen most frequently? Autor de la hebra: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Why can't people call translators "translators"? Which of these have you seen most frequently?".
This poll was originally submitted by Roser Bosch Casademont. View the poll results »
| | | | neilmac
España
Local time: 09:14
español al inglés
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| What's in a name? | Jul 9, 2017 |
"That which we call a rose,
By any other name would smell as sweet."
(Shakespeare)
| | | | | Usually just "translator" but ... | Jul 9, 2017 |
... occasionally "resource", "supplier" or "vendor".
| | | | Julian Holmes 
Japón
Local time: 17:14
Miembro 2011
japonés al inglés
Am I missing something in this poll?
However, I do object to it when I am addressed something like this:
Hi, Translator
in mails from complete strangers who want to build up their database and who then ask me for my CV (personal information) and my best rate. This last one is always the killer.
Another mail immediately finds its way to Trash.
(Imagine a big gurgling sound of yet another unwanted mail being flushed int... See more Am I missing something in this poll?
However, I do object to it when I am addressed something like this:
Hi, Translator
in mails from complete strangers who want to build up their database and who then ask me for my CV (personal information) and my best rate. This last one is always the killer.
Another mail immediately finds its way to Trash.
(Imagine a big gurgling sound of yet another unwanted mail being flushed into oblivion.) ▲ Collapse
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| Most frequently dear translator or dear linguist | Jul 9, 2017 |
But also resource, supplier, vendor, talent, valued linguist and occasionally some other odd combination that makes me laugh…
It’s a telling sign of a mass e-mail, when instead of being politely addressed by my name in the greeting line, I'm addressed as “Dear Linguist” or “Dear Translator”.
| | | | Michael Harris
Alemania
Local time: 09:14
Miembro 2006
alemán al inglés
Julian Holmes wrote:
Am I missing something in this poll?
However, I do object to it when I am addressed something like this:
Hi, Translator
in mails from complete strangers who want to build up their database and who then ask me for my CV (personal information) and my best rate. This last one is always the killer.
Another mail immediately finds its way to Trash.
(Imagine a big gurgling sound of yet another unwanted mail being flushed into oblivion.)
I am not sure what this poll is asking.
Does it have something to do with the addressing in a mail? If yes, then this get flushed in just the same way.
| | | | Ricki Farn
Alemania
Local time: 09:14
inglés al alemán
| Vendor or supplier | Jul 9, 2017 |
... but I actually have a name, and any first email that does not use it, is in a 99 point something percent danger of becoming food for the electron sharks. 98 point something percent if it addresses me by my domain name instead of my personal name.
| | | | Robert Forstag
Estados Unidos
Local time: 03:14
español al inglés
+ ...
Ricki Farn wrote:
... but I actually have a name, and any first email that does not use it, is in a 99 point something percent danger of becoming food for the electron sharks. 98 point something percent if it addresses me by my domain name instead of my personal name.
Unfortunately, use of a first name is also no guarantee that the message in question is not part of a mass mailing, given that there are programs that simply insert a name into the salutation line.
The worst cases of impersonal mails is when the sender cannot be bothered (or perhaps has forgotten) to insert a personal name or generic designation (i.e., those beginning, "Dear ").
This impersonal form of address is indicative of how many agencies see translators.
As to the substance of the poll, I find designations other than "translator" somewhat irritating. "Linguist" is inaccurate, "supplier" sounds like I am operating a warehouse, and "vendor" makes me feel like I am selling hot dogs at a baseball game.
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| "People" who? | Jul 9, 2017 |
People call translators "translators". They also often call interpreters "translators".
The poll answers would suggest the asker meant agencies and project managers, a very specific groups of people.
| | | | Arthur Godinho
Estados Unidos
Local time: 03:14
Miembro 2009
inglés al portugués
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| "Why can't people call translators 'translators'?" you ask..... | Jul 9, 2017 |
Probably for the same reason we no longer have Doctors or Garbage men.
After all, why be a simple 'Doctor' when you can be a Health Service Provider?
Me? I'm old. I have just 'a Doctor' and I'm very happy with him!
[Edited at 2017-07-09 15:57 GMT]
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brasil
Local time: 05:14
Miembro 2014
inglés al portugués
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| Does not proceed | Jul 9, 2017 |
"People" call translators "translators" most of the time. Many times, some of the suggested terms are used becuase they fit better into the context or to avoid being repetitive. But most of the time, translators are referred to or addressed as translators, not anything else, as far as I'm concerned.
P.S. - I have never seen or heard anyone call us a "business partner". That would be very undue, if you consider the actual meaning of this term. Those who hire us usually add several cl... See more "People" call translators "translators" most of the time. Many times, some of the suggested terms are used becuase they fit better into the context or to avoid being repetitive. But most of the time, translators are referred to or addressed as translators, not anything else, as far as I'm concerned.
P.S. - I have never seen or heard anyone call us a "business partner". That would be very undue, if you consider the actual meaning of this term. Those who hire us usually add several clauses to the agreements stating clearly that there are no business or labor bonds between the parties. It would be a serious commercial mistake to call a contractor a "business partner".
[Edited at 2017-07-09 18:33 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brasil
Local time: 05:14
Miembro 2014
inglés al portugués
+ ...
| Indeed, Julian | Jul 9, 2017 |
Julian Holmes wrote:
However, I do object to it when I am addressed something like this:
Hi, Translator
Indeed, but none of the alternatives suggested would be fit here. Only your name would be a feasible solution in this case.
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Clarisa Moraña
Estados Unidos
Local time: 02:14
Miembro 2002
inglés al español
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| valued linguist, but... | Jul 9, 2017 |
There is a translation agency that is always calling me "valued linguist". I'm pretty sure that I'm very valuable for them as they are always offering me low rates!
| | | | | only in bid type situations - "linguist" | Jul 10, 2017 |
My clients ask for a translator, which only makes sense. But when I am invited to bid or "submit an offer", for some reasons those persons think they are hiring "linguists", talk about "mother tongue" and other things that have nothing to do with the training of a professional in a professional field.
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when you say people, who are you referring to?
Not sure what this question mean, so no answer
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