Poll: What drives your passion for translation or interpreting? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What drives your passion for translation or interpreting?".
View the poll results »
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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!
| | | | Kay Denney 
France
Local time: 22:55
French to English
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! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Sandra Boca
Italy
Local time: 22:55
Member (2024)
English to Italian
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| 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.
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Lieven Malaise
Belgium
Local time: 22:55
Member (2020)
French to Dutch
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| Miscellaneous | Sep 17, 2024 |
- Love for languages
- The intellectual challenge
- Financial independence
- Flexibility
- Freedom to do as I please every single day
| | | | Luca Adie
Germany
Local time: 22:55
German to English
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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.
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 22:55
Member (2009)
English to German
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| 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)
Oman
Local time: 00:55
Thanks for sharing
[Edited at 2024-09-18 06:23 GMT]
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Zea_Mays
Italy
Local time: 22:55
English to German
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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.
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