Forums about proz.com » Poll Discussion »
Poll: If you could compare translation to a sport/game/activity, what would it be?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Mar 21

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "If you could compare translation to a sport/game/activity, what would it be?".

This poll was originally submitted by Lingua 5B. View the poll results »
 
Lieven Malaise
Lieven Malaise
Belgium
Local time: 22:48
Member (2020)
French to Dutch
+ ...
It can be compared to... Mar 21

- A marathon, because of the long hours many of us work
- Figure skating, because translation also can be a fine art if it comes to finding the best words and creating the most beautiful sentences.
- Poker, because every single translation can be improved and unless you always work for the same end clients you often don't know if your translation will be perceived as good enough.

[Bijgewerkt op 2024-03-21 08:31 GMT]

expressisverbis
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Christopher Schröder
Ana Vozone
Aline Amorim
edna escalante
Robert Rietvelt
 
expressisverbis
expressisverbis
Portugal
Local time: 21:48
Member (2015)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
I would say chess Mar 21

Because we must have extra care in considering the nuances of our working languages, cultural contexts, and intents behind the source texts while crafting an accurate and meaningful translations.
Also because like chess players, we need to make calculated decisions and adjustments throughout the translation process and to ensure the best possible results.

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Christopher Schröder
Lieven Malaise
Ana Vozone
edna escalante
Robert Rietvelt
Gibril Koroma
 
Alex Lichanow
Alex Lichanow
Germany
Local time: 22:48
Member (2020)
English to German
+ ...
Gauntlet run Mar 21

It's a gauntlet run where you just try to do your thing while bystanders keep pelting you with spoiled produce and other nasty things for the heck of it.

[Edited at 2024-03-21 08:42 GMT]

Christopher Schröder
expressisverbis
Rachel Waddington
Ana Vozone
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Robert Rietvelt
Daryo
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 21:48
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Other (all of them? I can't choose) Mar 21

Marathon: when we are working on a long project;
Hurdling: we always have to jump a lot of hurdles until we get to the target;
Weightlifting: now and then it looks more like weightlifting than FREElancing;
Boxing: a solution to non-payers?
Figure skating: please look at Lieven’s answer;
Diving (jumps): we have to dive into a text to gain a deeper understanding of it;
Poker and chess: please look at Sandra’s answer.

Christopher Schröder
expressisverbis
Lieven Malaise
Ana Vozone
Liena Vijupe
Lingua 5B
edna escalante
 
Emily Gilby
Emily Gilby  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:48
Member (2018)
French to English
+ ...
A puzzle Mar 21

I always see it as a puzzle. The target text is there, you just need to solve the source text to find it.

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Christopher Schröder
expressisverbis
Dan Lucas
Lieven Malaise
David Skelding
Ana Vozone
 
Ana Vozone
Ana Vozone  Identity Verified
Local time: 21:48
Member (2010)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Figure skating ;) Mar 21

Just thinking about what we sometimes need to do with sentences and words... swirls, swoops, spirals... to finally "land" on a beautifully crafted text...

expressisverbis
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Lieven Malaise
Sandra Boca
Lingua 5B
Christopher Schröder
Robert Rietvelt
 
Rachel Waddington
Rachel Waddington  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:48
Dutch to English
+ ...
Cryptic crossword ... Mar 21

... that's been printed out from a dodgy printer so some of the words are illegible

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Lieven Malaise
David Skelding
Ana Vozone
Kevin Fulton
Christopher Schröder
svetlana cosquéric
 
Matthias Brombach
Matthias Brombach  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 22:48
Member (2007)
Dutch to German
+ ...
Angling... Mar 21

...like fishing in muddy waters in my first years on proz, to distinguish between valuable agencies and the job shifters. Today the waters seem to be drained.

Christopher Schröder
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Robert Rietvelt
Rachel Waddington
expressisverbis
Abdulsamad Attayee
 
Daryo
Daryo
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:48
Serbian to English
+ ...
Applied game theory Mar 30

The business side of translating could be seen as (in fact IS) a real-life application of game theory.

As for the actual translating, puzzle solving is what makes it interesting.
 
finnword1
finnword1
United States
Local time: 16:48
English to Finnish
+ ...
Decathlon Apr 1

Need to be proficient in 10 different specialties.
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: If you could compare translation to a sport/game/activity, what would it be?






Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »
Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »