Tuesday, March 13, 2012

20 Translation requests from old friends

Translation requests from old friends
Click image to enlarge

Based on an idea by Tressy Arts

20 comments:

  1. "People" who write translator between parenthesis should be condemned to life incarceration.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. or burnt at the stake, like witches!

      Delete
  2. "people" who use parenthesis do not even know why they are using them

    ReplyDelete
  3. Why do you all say "parenthesis" instead of "quotation marks"? That's what they are.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree that there should be some kind of inquisition for this kind of "people".

    Also, we should promote the inclusion of a right in the Declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to see their profession written withouth parenthesis".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I meant "quotation marks", of course. I need a proofreader to check my comments, I think I'll just ask an old classmate to do it for free.

      Delete
  5. First they insult your profession, and then they ask for your help. Mox was too nice and polite!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So, what do you do now? Your a website designer? Great- have a quick look at my website while I check your CV.

    I'm actually all in favour of doing favours for old friends, but it does need to be reciprocal

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree enitrely, Richard. Sometimes we focus too much on cash money without turning to the good ol' bartering system. I've done translations for friends and acquaintences in exchange for services they provide in their professions and it is often well worth my while. My favourite was a free weekend of spa treatment in exchange for translating menus for a friend's hotel. yoohoo! :-)

      Delete
    2. I agree, too. I think that with old age, Mox is becoming mean and bitter and too focused on monetary payment for everything.

      Another thought - he might have found it easier to come to an amicable agreement and win more respect for his profession by picking up the phone for once, rather than sending back an annoyed e-mail.

      Delete
    3. I totally agree on the phone strategy.

      On the other hand, Mox said that the task would take several hours and she replied that it would only take 5 minutes. I find that attitude extremely impolite coming from a person who is asking a favour and can easily hurt someone who barely earns minimum wage.

      However, I could forgive her and ignore her request, there is no need to be mean. What I couldn't forgive is the use of quotation marks for "translator". Let's burn her at the stake!

      Delete
  7. I won't go into detail, but I remember when I had to translate a website for Escorts for an old friend who didn't really have money...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really cannot believe to the existence of broke escorts...

      Delete
  8. I love you Mox! Next one about friends that want you to give "work" to their new girlfriend, 'cause she "knows" English...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Good to know Mox has attitude!

    ReplyDelete
  10. @Richard: Paying favors with favors can be really dangerous, though. Just this morning I read a posting from a copywriting colleague who had agreed to do some writing for an acquaintance, a web designer. Turned out his work was utter crap, she couldn't use it at all - but too late: he had already walked away happily with her text...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow! apparently this underestimation of the translator job is a worldwide phenomenon. I think that, apart from the fun we have from these cartoons, they are also probably raising awareness of people.

    ReplyDelete

Dear Spammers, your comments will be deleted and marked as spam.
Dear colleagues, I will not be able to reply to your questions. It was too much time consuming.