Poll: What drives your passion for translation or interpreting?
Autor vlákna: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
PRACOVNÍK SERVERU
Sep 17, 2024

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What drives your passion for translation or interpreting?".

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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugalsko
Local time: 09:28
Člen (2007)
angličtina -> portugalština
+ ...
N/A Sep 17, 2024

When I started translating many many moons ago I was looking for some financial independence, it wasn't love at first sight, but it was true love!

Eugênio Paiva e Silva Filho
 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
Francie
Local time: 10:28
francouzština -> angličtina
. Sep 17, 2024

All of the above, actually.
I see myself as a bridge over the culture gap which kind of sums up the first options in the poll. For my French clients I describe myself as an English-language ambassador for French culture, they seem to like that.

I need financial independence so that's definitely something that drives me, it doesn't drive my passion for translation, only my passion for working.

And I definitely appreciate the freedom to work when I want, it makes
... See more
All of the above, actually.
I see myself as a bridge over the culture gap which kind of sums up the first options in the poll. For my French clients I describe myself as an English-language ambassador for French culture, they seem to like that.

I need financial independence so that's definitely something that drives me, it doesn't drive my passion for translation, only my passion for working.

And I definitely appreciate the freedom to work when I want, it makes meeting deadlines so much easier. It was very frustrating at the agency when I had to turn work down because it would mean doing unpaid overtime, when earlier in the week I had been twiddling my thumbs because I was supposed to start at 9 on Monday whether or not there was any work. Since all French office workers are in a meeting on Monday morning, I knew I wouldn't get any work until the afternoon, but the boss wouldn't listen when I suggested changing my hours to match the times when there was the most work. Go figure!
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Liena V.
Sundar Gopalakrishnan
 
Sandra Boca
Sandra Boca
Itálie
Local time: 10:28
Člen (2024)
angličtina -> italština
+ ...
All of the above Sep 17, 2024

I'd say a combination of the options. Helping people communicate across barriers was my main driver as, when I was young, I saw how my Italian family struggled to communicate with American relatives, and that was my first "translation" experience. Then, love for languages and cultures, which I nourished during my studies. The other aspects (the intellectual challenge, flexibility and work-life balance, financial independence) are all things that I appreciate every day in my work.

Liena V.
 
Lieven Malaise
Lieven Malaise  Identity Verified
Belgie
Local time: 10:28
Člen (2020)
francouzština -> nizozemština
+ ...
Miscellaneous Sep 17, 2024

- Love for languages
- The intellectual challenge
- Financial independence
- Flexibility
- Freedom to do as I please every single day


 
Luca Adie
Luca Adie
Německo
Local time: 10:28
němčina -> angličtina
+ ...
? Sep 17, 2024

I'm "passionate" (= I like) about language. I'm not about translating per say, but I'm good at it, it keeps me entertained and it pays the bills.

Marijke Singer
 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Německo
Local time: 10:28
Člen (2009)
angličtina -> němčina
+ ...
Primarily the love for languages Sep 18, 2024

They open the way to other cultures and the people living in them. Helping someone to overcome a language barrier makes both parties feel good. I like exploring different countries and learn about their ways of life... far away from tourism.

 
Shah khan (X)
Shah khan (X)
Omán
Local time: 12:28
Great Sep 18, 2024

Thanks for sharing

[Edited at 2024-09-18 06:23 GMT]


 
Zea_Mays
Zea_Mays  Identity Verified
Itálie
Local time: 10:28
angličtina -> němčina
+ ...
money Sep 18, 2024

I know it is not romantic, but all your passion for translating and interpreting doesn't help if you can't pay all your bills at the end of the month.
So I guess the monetary aspect is the compelling driver for full-timers.


Dan Lucas
Siobhán Fulton
 


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Poll: What drives your passion for translation or interpreting?






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