| Stran v tématu: < [1 2 3] > | Poll: Would you read a "Translation for Dummies" book if it existed? Autor vlákna: ProZ.com Staff
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But definitely would recommend it to non translators.
| | | | Maria Drangel 
Švédsko
Local time: 14:08
angličtina -> švédština
+ ...
| That is horrible | Jan 14, 2010 |
Elena Carbonell wrote:
In fact I will buy like 20 copies and give them away as presents to a few friends and acquaintances who still think that what I do is either:
- host coffe and tea parties whenever they are near my house with the mere excuse: I thought I could drop for cofee...Grrrrrrrrrrr.
[Edited at 2010-01-14 09:38 GMT] [/quote]
That is horrible Elena! How rude of them. I have had the same problem with people calling thinking that I have lots and lots of time to chatt during the day but I think that most people know by now that I am actually working but to actually drop by the house during working hours and expect you to have time to serve them coffee that is the silliest thing I have ever heard! I hope it doesn´t happen a lot!
| | | | Marlene Blanshay
Kanada
Local time: 08:08
Člen (2009)
francouzština -> angličtina
+ ...
| yes i'd read it | Jan 14, 2010 |
but not for real informational purposes. How about 'Dealing with translators for Dummies'
People who are new at dealing with translators don't think they need to contact us or acknowledge email after we send in a requested bid...then act all surprised two weeks later when they contact us and we're not available. DUHHH...
But it could come in handy for the folks elena describes...'You have so much extra time!'
right, that's why i've been unable to even fold the stu... See more but not for real informational purposes. How about 'Dealing with translators for Dummies'
People who are new at dealing with translators don't think they need to contact us or acknowledge email after we send in a requested bid...then act all surprised two weeks later when they contact us and we're not available. DUHHH...
But it could come in handy for the folks elena describes...'You have so much extra time!'
right, that's why i've been unable to even fold the stupid laundry for three days! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Adam Warren
Francie
Local time: 14:08
Člen (2005)
francouzština -> angličtina
| A qualified yes. | Jan 14, 2010 |
ProZ.com Staff wrote: This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Would you read a "Translation for Dummies" book if it existed?". View the poll results »
If asked to review it, or if I had to opportunity to flick through it in a bookstore.
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Laureana Pavon
Uruguay
Local time: 09:08
Člen (2007)
angličtina -> španělština
+ ...
MODERÁTOR | The ATA booklet is great | Jan 14, 2010 |
Attila Piróth wrote: It is a bit off topic, but the American Translators Association published a little booklet called Translation – getting it right: A guide for buying translations. You can freely download it – or send the link to those to whom you would recommend a Dummies book so that they get a better grip on our job. A Dummies book along the same lines would be a great read. Attila
I´ve got several printed copies of this booklet, which I show to clients from time to time.
I´m having trouble opening Attila´s link, so I'm posting it again:
https://www.atanet.org/docs/Getting_it_right.pdf
And my answer to the original question is definitely yes
Laureana
| | | | Steven Capsuto
Spojené státy americké
Local time: 08:08
Člen (2004)
španělština -> angličtina
+ ...
| The "Dummies" books are generally excellent, but... | Jan 14, 2010 |
At this point I've been translating in so many fields for so many years that I doubt I'd learn anything new from it.
| | | | | Me?? No, but ..... | Jan 14, 2010 |
Would be quite educational for laypeople who never dealt with translators or translation works, if the book is well written.
If that's catered to "How to become a translator" needs, not for us professionals, but good for would-be translators, if the book is well written.
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Gianluca Marras wrote: Elena Carbonell wrote:
In fact I will buy like 20 copies and give them away as presents to a few friends and acquaintances who still think that what I do is either:
- write a novel
- write the unreadable text of a probably machine translated technical manual
- interpreting at conferences with very famous politicians
- stay at home and say that I am working just because I am ashamed to say I am a housewife
- host coffe and tea parties whenever they are near my house with the mere excuse: I thought I could drop for cofee...Grrrrrrrrrrr.
[Edited at 2010-01-14 09:38 GMT] nice... same here: but also to people who call you at 10 am and start talking "because you're always free"
I love my friends, but some of them still think my translating is some kind of part-time hobby (I wish!). One of them asked me recently "Are you still doing your... erm.. . translating thing?" Even my husband likes to schedule things (household repairs, deliveries, etc) for times when he knows I will be at home... trying to work!!
Yes, I would read the book. I could probably cobble something similar together myself, as could many of the people on here. *Ponders* Anyone up for a little collaboration?
[Edited at 2010-01-14 17:11 GMT]
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Anton Konashenok
Česká republika
Local time: 14:08
francouzština -> angličtina
+ ...
| The title is almost an oxymoron | Jan 14, 2010 |
Given that an incompetent translator can potentially cause nearly as much harm as an incompetent doctor, incompetent pilot or incompetent lawyer, I tend to think that such a book had better not be written. "Writing for dummies" or "Learning languages for dummies" might be OK, though.
| | | | Gianni Pastore
Itálie
Local time: 14:08
Člen (2007)
angličtina -> italština
There could be a trick you don't know or think about it, even if you're in the business since forever. So it might be worth it.
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I'm sad to see less than 50% would read it, where is your curiosity?
Although I can't say that I would read it from start to finish or that I would learn anything from it (unlikely, you can always learn, even from such simple sources), I would definitively give it a try just to see what it's about and what issues are discussed.
No matter how it is presented, I always find it interesting to read about my profession.
| | | | Steven Capsuto
Spojené státy americké
Local time: 08:08
Člen (2004)
španělština -> angličtina
+ ...
| Slightly off topic: the "Dummies" concept and cultural differences | Jan 14, 2010 |
The responses in this thread are consistent with what I've seen elsewhere. On average, non-native speakers of English are likely to find the "...for Dummies" title insulting, while English speakers are more likely to find the titles cute (if not cutesy) and nonthreatening. It confirms my long-held belief that the publishers should have rebranded the series when they exported it to non-English-speaking parts of the world.
The point of these books is to appeal to readers who find a pa... See more The responses in this thread are consistent with what I've seen elsewhere. On average, non-native speakers of English are likely to find the "...for Dummies" title insulting, while English speakers are more likely to find the titles cute (if not cutesy) and nonthreatening. It confirms my long-held belief that the publishers should have rebranded the series when they exported it to non-English-speaking parts of the world.
The point of these books is to appeal to readers who find a particular topic daunting. I doubt I'd pick up a book called "The Finer Points of Neurophysiology," but I might leaf through a volume titled "Neurophysiology for the Complete Idiot."
[Edited at 2010-01-14 20:14 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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| Probably not... | Jan 14, 2010 |
... but I would recommend it to some of my clients!
| | | | elodienelson (X)
Francie
Local time: 14:08
angličtina -> francouzština
| for fun, yes | Jan 14, 2010 |
I would read it for fun, but yesterday, I found out "string theory for dummies" had actually benn written, and I think about getting it, at least, I don't know the subject, hence, I'll be gullible
For the fun of it, here is a youtube excerpt from "The big bang theory", an hilarious sitcom, if you want to take a break bef... See more I would read it for fun, but yesterday, I found out "string theory for dummies" had actually benn written, and I think about getting it, at least, I don't know the subject, hence, I'll be gullible
For the fun of it, here is a youtube excerpt from "The big bang theory", an hilarious sitcom, if you want to take a break before going back to translating : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEIn3T6nDAoof ▲ Collapse
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Yes, for the fun of it
I've read other "...for dummies" books and they are very good. So why not? Plus, like Gianni pointed out, there might be a trick or two that you don't know or haven't thought about that might help
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