| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Translators and interpreters are naive when it comes to business matters. Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Translators and interpreters are naive when it comes to business matters.".
View the poll results »
| | | | Mary Worby 
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:47
German to English
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I generally find it impossible to generalise about a whole group of people from different backgrounds, educations, cultures, etc.
| | | | Emin Arı
Türkiye
Local time: 00:47
English to Turkish
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| No! Money matters | Jan 11, 2013 |
As a freelancer, you sell basically nothing but your time. As time passes (or getting older) you become aware of fact that time is not money but life. After this enlightenment, your merchandising abilities are getting sharper but of course you are not a bank CEO at the end.
| | | | | Gererally speaking | Jan 11, 2013 |
we put up with too much (bad pament terms etc.).
Gudrun
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| I would say no. | Jan 11, 2013 |
The linguists that I've had the pleasure of speaking with have all been very aware and on the ball in regards to business matters. I would say that we have to be if we want to continue working as freelancers or business owners, otherwise, one way or the other, we won't be ignorant linguists for long.
I am still pursuing a degree in business administration and international law in order to augment my knowledge, as I am still relatively young and new to freelancing. I always feel like... See more The linguists that I've had the pleasure of speaking with have all been very aware and on the ball in regards to business matters. I would say that we have to be if we want to continue working as freelancers or business owners, otherwise, one way or the other, we won't be ignorant linguists for long.
I am still pursuing a degree in business administration and international law in order to augment my knowledge, as I am still relatively young and new to freelancing. I always feel like I am trying to catch up with you all and I love it ^_^ ▲ Collapse
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My experience over the past 20 years, which has been reinforced by this forum, is that most freelance translators are overly happy to bend over backwards for their customers. They act more like employees than independent professionals, allowing their customers to decide their rates and hours and tools and terms of payment. This is fine when breaking into the business, perhaps, but not after that. It should be a case of "this is how I work, take it or leave it". This may seem a bit Germanic and i... See more My experience over the past 20 years, which has been reinforced by this forum, is that most freelance translators are overly happy to bend over backwards for their customers. They act more like employees than independent professionals, allowing their customers to decide their rates and hours and tools and terms of payment. This is fine when breaking into the business, perhaps, but not after that. It should be a case of "this is how I work, take it or leave it". This may seem a bit Germanic and inflexible, but I wouldn't expect anything else from my own suppliers, be they lawyers or car mechanics. ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 23:47
Spanish to English
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If judged by "business" standards, I supose am "naive" in my approach to business, if by "naive" (which actually means childish) you mean expecting others to be as reasonable, honest and flexible as I would like them to be when dealing with me. If hoping that people I deal with will keep their word and do their utmost to pay on time once a deal is struck is naive, then I'm afraid "I was that soldier".
However, I think that such a sweeping generalisation about translators and interpr... See more If judged by "business" standards, I supose am "naive" in my approach to business, if by "naive" (which actually means childish) you mean expecting others to be as reasonable, honest and flexible as I would like them to be when dealing with me. If hoping that people I deal with will keep their word and do their utmost to pay on time once a deal is struck is naive, then I'm afraid "I was that soldier".
However, I think that such a sweeping generalisation about translators and interpreters can only be partly true. I know some highly professional and thorough people working in the field, it's just that I don't count myself among them.
[Edited at 2013-01-11 10:10 GMT]
PS: I also suppose it was naive of me to expect a client to pay any attention when I told them on 31 December that I wouldn't be available until the end of January, because they just sent me a job offer today...
[Edited at 2013-01-11 16:06 GMT]
[Edited at 2013-01-11 16:07 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Oddly enough, I agree with both Mary and Chris S.
There are definitely lots of people in the business (myself included, perhaps) who start out feeling uncertain and are happy to take a lead from agencies or others who write friendly e-mails and offer 'guidance'.
Lots of them use this site - which is an excellent place to find the guidance they need.
Luckily there are plenty of the more hard-boiled or experienced types around too. No names, no pack drill, bu... See more Oddly enough, I agree with both Mary and Chris S.
There are definitely lots of people in the business (myself included, perhaps) who start out feeling uncertain and are happy to take a lead from agencies or others who write friendly e-mails and offer 'guidance'.
Lots of them use this site - which is an excellent place to find the guidance they need.
Luckily there are plenty of the more hard-boiled or experienced types around too. No names, no pack drill, but a certain German-American colleague springs to mind... among many others who know what they are doing and give sound advice.
And if neilmac is naive, then let's all stay naive!
But it is quite impossible to generalise.
[Edited at 2013-01-11 16:45 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | I am with you on this! | Jan 11, 2013 |
Mary Worby wrote:
I generally find it impossible to generalise about a whole group of people from different backgrounds, educations, cultures, etc.
No generalisations, please!
| | | | Parrot
Spain
Local time: 23:47
Spanish to English
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Mary Worby wrote:
I generally find it impossible to generalise about a whole group of people from different backgrounds, educations, cultures, etc.
Maybe culture doesn't even have anything to do with it. Business acumen is rather a personal thing (as is the willingness to "bend over backwards"). A psychiatrist could tell you.
| | | | | But still... | Jan 11, 2013 |
I find it amazing (and depressing) to see many, many posts over the years from translators who are (or seem) scared when it comes to demanding payment. They'll wait for weeks (sometimes months), send e-mails, contemplate a BlueBoard entry, worry, worry some more - and all the time feel guilty about asking for/demanding what is rightfully theirs.
There's no logic to it. Simply poor self-esteem.
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Alexandranow
Romania
Local time: 00:47
Romanian to English
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ProZ.com Staff wrote: This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Translators and interpreters are naive when it comes to business matters.". View the poll results »
Translators are human beings, and they might be skilled when it comes to business matters, or might be a bit naive also. We are not all the same. With time passing we learn how things are going, and we can change.
| | | | | not necessarily | Jan 11, 2013 |
but I think some are naive or better, uninformed about their rights. I know one who is always complaining about how her clients underpay her or screw her over etc...but she's also into all this positive thinking stuff, so she just keeps saying things like "it's the universe" and "I must try harder" or "this is a life lesson". And yet she's been all over the world,....
But all that "Secret" stuff is like a cult that seems to teach you that no matter what you should smile and think p... See more but I think some are naive or better, uninformed about their rights. I know one who is always complaining about how her clients underpay her or screw her over etc...but she's also into all this positive thinking stuff, so she just keeps saying things like "it's the universe" and "I must try harder" or "this is a life lesson". And yet she's been all over the world,....
But all that "Secret" stuff is like a cult that seems to teach you that no matter what you should smile and think positive. I think it creates spineless suckers who beg to be shafted. Some others don't do enough research about potential clients or how to find them.
But in general, we're like any other professionals. ▲ Collapse
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Mary Worby wrote:
I generally find it impossible to generalise about a whole group of people from different backgrounds, educations, cultures, etc.
Impossible to generalise, it also depends on experience (age) and background.
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