I have had a tiring week one way and another. It all came to a head on Wednesday when my computer was soooooo sloooooowwww it took about 5 seconds for each character to register on the screen – and searching the net was completely out of the question (this is something I do several times [...]
Filed under: Translation, Trials on March 19th, 2010 | 2 Comments »
This morning has been spent wiping the tears of hysteria from my cheeks. I have been translating a badly written tourist text for a place that shall remain nameless. Usually, when doing such documents, I end up dreaming of holidays and wishing I were a thousand miles away from my computer. This morning I was [...]
Filed under: Language, Translation on February 10th, 2010 | 7 Comments »
that have appeared before the year is yet three full days old..
The first lesson of the year is one your correspondent has noted several times before but one which she is yet to fully learn, it would appear.
In writing the long list of lovely things she would like to achieve/learn/explore/experience this year (which includes many [...]
Filed under: Translation, Trials on January 3rd, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Over the years, my gentle readers have endured my occasional rants about ridiculous deadlines, lack of information about the product I’m supposed to be selling in my translations and other general irritations and stupidities.
The other day I had this email exchange (adapted for this current audience – with free translation thrown in ) [...]
Filed under: Translation on November 24th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
I began my freelance career as a translator. I was engaged on the basis of being a contractor – in that I was self-employed but would report to a specific office every day. To maintain my “employer’s” tax status, I was obliged to ensure that I did not receive 100% of my wages from one [...]
Filed under: Translation on November 8th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
I have just arrived at my desk having eaten a very nice spagetti bolognese cooked with my temporary lodger, Tutti Frutti. As I splashed in a generous glug of red wine left over from the bottle we opened last night, he mentioned how much he had enjoyed it. I told him that it was remarkably [...]
Filed under: Food, Life, Translation on September 19th, 2009 | 5 Comments »
I have reached a natural break in a marketing text for a brand of shirts. We have covered the history of the company, its philosophy, values and quality. We are about to tackle its communication, staff and design and collection.
Outside, it is absolutely hammering down. I feel like going for a swim. In an outdoor [...]
Filed under: Translation, Weather on August 4th, 2009 | Comments Off
One of the reasons for my letting off steam the other day was because try as I might to educate my clients into their seeing me as part of the overall team on a project, I seem to fail.
The problem is not just that I have to educate my clients (in this case, agencies) but [...]
Filed under: Translation, Trials on July 26th, 2009 | 3 Comments »
Sometimes, just sometimes, your clients can drive you to distraction. And sometimes you need to let off a bit of steam.
Excuse me while I rent my clothes, beat my breast, wail and gnash my teeth and look daggers towards a certain town in Germany.
Gah! and Double Gah!!
You will be pleased to know that some of [...]
Filed under: Translation, Trials on July 24th, 2009 | 2 Comments »
that some people are doing their bit for international understanding and harmony.
I was told this story by a Scottish lady I met at a party last week. She said it was true – she works in the field, so she may be right.
A German was arrested for speeding offences in Scotland. He appeared in court [...]
Filed under: Life, Translation on July 14th, 2009 | 1 Comment »