Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: How do you describe yourself to clients? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
| | Julian Holmes Japan Local time: 14:18 Member (2011) Japanese to English
Professional translator, which I am. Surprised this is not on the list | | | 564354352 (X) Denmark Local time: 07:18 Danish to English + ... Limited no. of options | Jul 26, 2014 |
Julian Holmes wrote: Professional translator, which I am. Surprised this is not on the list You can only enter eight options... I very quickly got to the last option and had to include 'Other'... | | | Professional translator | Jul 26, 2014 |
Like Julian. Sometimes I add or substitute "Linguistic Consultant," as I sometimes do linguistic research projects that combine translation, and I also (used to) publish articles on linguistics and translation theory. | |
|
|
inkweaver Germany Local time: 07:18 French to German + ...
No need to say more, IMHO. I'm fairly sick of the term "professional" so I try to avoid it whenever possible. I would always assume that someone who works in a certain field is a "professional" whatever. Could you imagine someone describing themselves as a "professional dentist" or "professional lawyer"?
[Edited at 2014-07-26 08:45 GMT]
[Edited at 2014-07-26 08:47 GMT] | | | other: Engineer, Product Manager | Jul 26, 2014 |
Hi When I quote for a technical job, I explain my long career as an IT engineer in a bilingual context, then speak of 4 years of professional freelance translations. have a nice week-end Madeleine
[Edited at 2014-07-26 08:55 GMT] | | | Professional translator | Jul 26, 2014 |
Like Julian and Muriel I'm surprised this is not on the list... | | | Julian Holmes Japan Local time: 14:18 Member (2011) Japanese to English 'Professional' helps | Jul 26, 2014 |
inkweaver wrote: No need to say more, IMHO. I'm fairly sick of the term "professional" so I try to avoid it whenever possible.
Adding the 'professional' part saves time and unnecessary pre-amble. I find customers/clients tend to skip the chit-chat, cut to the chase and ask more pointed and pertinent questions, which is good for both of us since this helps them get a better idea of my skills and expertise and how these can be applied to their specific requirements. So, on the surface 'professional' may seem superfluous but it comes in handy. It's a useful ice-breaker. | |
|
|
"freelance" vs. "independent" | Jul 26, 2014 |
Hi, I've got used to present myself as a "freelance translator", as a majority has voted here, but now I'm considering "independent translator" may sound better to client's mind. What's your opinion about it and what's your attitude to these terms? | | | Nigel Greenwood (X) Spain Local time: 07:18 Spanish to English + ... Interpreter? | Jul 26, 2014 |
I used to present myself as a translator, but for about a year now, I present myself as an Interpreter. Over the past 8 years, the majority of my income has come from my work as an interpreter. So, I am now an Interpreter / Translator. Regards, Nigel | | | Erzsébet Czopyk Hungary Local time: 07:18 Member (2006) Russian to Hungarian + ... SITE LOCALIZER
linguist, teacher, sworn translator or certified translator which equals to Dipl.-Übersetzerin | | | 564354352 (X) Denmark Local time: 07:18 Danish to English + ... A different kettle of fish | Jul 26, 2014 |
Nigel Greenwood wrote: I used to present myself as a translator, but for about a year now, I present myself as an Interpreter. Over the past 8 years, the majority of my income has come from my work as an interpreter. So, I am now an Interpreter / Translator. Regards, Nigel My question was edited slightly by ProZ.com - I had actually phrased the question as 'Translator: How do you describe...", because I knew there would be a group of people here who were working mainly or entirely as interpreters, and my curiosity was more about how people see themselves as translators. Sorry if this seems a bit exclusive. I realised after Julian's initial comment about 'Professional Translator' that I had based my question mainly on how people see themselves in terms of their business setup, not in terms of their qualifications. There are a whole range of other options if our various backgrounds are drawn into this, too, e.g. Qualified Translator, Sworn Translator, State-authorised Translator, Certified Translator, Licensed Translator etc. etc. I apologise for my one-track mind.
[Edited at 2014-07-26 12:31 GMT] | |
|
|
A very good question | Jul 26, 2014 |
I used to like freelancer, but apparently some people think it has an aura of superficiality and 'Jack of all trades' about it, while others think of journalists. I generally call myself a translator and prepare to ward off the questions about books! I have toyed with language consultant, but I always come back to translator because that is most easily understood in the UK. Here in Denmark people may only have hazy ideas of what translators REALLY do, but they are well ... See more I used to like freelancer, but apparently some people think it has an aura of superficiality and 'Jack of all trades' about it, while others think of journalists. I generally call myself a translator and prepare to ward off the questions about books! I have toyed with language consultant, but I always come back to translator because that is most easily understood in the UK. Here in Denmark people may only have hazy ideas of what translators REALLY do, but they are well aware that we exist, linking Danish industry to the rest of the world. Apart from that, I am a fairly single-minded translator - I do not interpret or teach, and I am very picky these days about who I proofread for. ▲ Collapse | | | Kitty Brussaard Netherlands Local time: 07:18 Member (2009) English to Dutch + ... Depends on type of client | Jul 26, 2014 |
In other words, it all depends on whether I'm dealing with an end client (in which case I often act as an outsourcer and always present myself by using my company name or "we") or with an LSP (in which case I usually act as a freelance translator trading under the same company name I'm using for my activities as an outsourcer). | | | Mario Chavez (X) Local time: 01:18 English to Spanish + ... I agree, professional is a bit of an overreach | Jul 26, 2014 |
inkweaver wrote: No need to say more, IMHO. I'm fairly sick of the term "professional" so I try to avoid it whenever possible. I would always assume that someone who works in a certain field is a "professional" whatever. Could you imagine someone describing themselves as a "professional dentist" or "professional lawyer"?
[Edited at 2014-07-26 08:45 GMT]
[Edited at 2014-07-26 08:47 GMT] I hadn't thought about it that way. Thanks for your perspective. | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: How do you describe yourself to clients? Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
| Trados Studio 2022 Freelance | The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.
Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop
and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |