Comments for Sarah Dillon Translation Services

Comment on ATA Annual Conference: impressions of a first-timer by Andy Bell

Andy Bell — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 11:35:25 +0000

Hi Sarah. First class – and very brave with a new daughter! I’ve been in the ATA for a few years now, but have never plucked up the courage to go that far – at least not that far sans family – but you may well have convinced me. Like you, I know a lot of ATA members virtually – consider them friends really, and so that must make it easy on first meeting them – all the antecedent stuff being out of the way. I’ve half convinced my wife that Texas is where we need to be later this year. I might even get a chance to see if Lance will buy my coffee-table book back off me

Comment on Why language competence does not a translator make by nada ameen

nada ameen — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 07:40:41 +0000

Nice debate !

My opinion on this matter is that science alone will not make a good translator and that is the matter for practice ! a combination between them both is a need.

I also believe that there should be a balance between both theory and practice in order to have a good translator .
Furthermore, I share the opinion with those who see practice a very important aspect in having a good translator .
By the way ,I am studying instant translation and find it such a challenge and fun to deal with all those scripts to translate !
I think that translators are lucky because they can keep their minds active and energetic all the times! Lucky them !

Thank u

Comment on Weighing up translation degrees: two oft-overlooked tips by Liam Curley

Liam Curley — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:17:33 +0000

Hi Sarah

A bit late in reading this post, but I think you’ve raised some really interesting points. I think the big gap in many of the Translation postgraduate courses is the area or running a small business. I recently completed an MA in Translation Studies, and whilst there were several useful modules on translation in practice and theory, as well as modules on linguistics, there was nothing on how to set-up and grow a small business. Seeing as many translators pursue a freelance career, I think that in order to offer a well rounded course and meet the requirements of the students, language and translation departments need to offer some sort of support and guidance on the business side of translation. Modules on entrepreneurship are available in Business degrees and I think something along these lines should be introduced into Translation courses.

Comment on Weighing up translation degrees: two oft-overlooked tips by Sarah Dillon

Sarah Dillon — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:44:52 +0000

Corrected – thanks Roman.

Comment on Weighing up translation degrees: two oft-overlooked tips by Roman Mironov

Roman Mironov — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:40:58 +0000

Hello,

I noticed that the RSS links on your blog point to
http://feeds.FEEDREADER.com/TheresSomethingAboutTranslation
which says that the page doesn’t exist after I click the link .

Shouldn’t they be like this:
http://feeds.FEEDBURNER.com/TheresSomethingAboutTranslation
?

Best wishes,
Roman
twitter.com/veliortrans

Comment on Why language competence does not a translator make by Kat

Kat — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:38:16 +0000

Exactly!! I’m living proof. I know both Eng and Ru fluently (not exaggerating either) , yet I prefer leaving it up to the pros to translate, b/c it’s a learned skill that takes years of practice to polish. Most often it’s just assumed that knowing the lang. and being able to translate to and fro are interchangeable… they are not! It’s hard work that only those qualified should really be getting the credit for

Comment on Why language competence does not a translator make by Kat

Kat — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:28:15 +0000

I’ll second that! I know two languages fluently, however , I never meant to become a translator and therefore have no practice (training). People that know me simply assume that the terms are synonymous and put me in the position of translating things for them…. and frankly it’s not as easy as one might think!
Kudos to the pros

Comment on Weighing up translation degrees: two oft-overlooked tips by Margaret S.

Margaret S. — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 02:31:32 +0000

The analogy of a surgeon (as mentioned by Monica) or a lawyer is often cited in these discussions. No one can practice these professions without specialized education.

But translation is much more closely related to writing than to practicing medicine or law. Would publishers accept manuscripts from writers who didn’t have an MFA in creative writing? Would you buy a book written by someone who hasn’t studied writing or literature in university? And, turning directly to translation, can a person acquire sufficient mastery of a second language (enough, say, to translate from it), solely by studying it to the highest degree in university?

Comment on Weighing up translation degrees: two oft-overlooked tips by Kenny

Kenny — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 22:26:41 +0000

I received a M.A. in Russian before I ever even considered a career in translation. My degree program focussed on increasing competency in the language, and translation was one of the basic methodological tools that was drilled. Of course, my program did not include any formal coursework in translation theory per se, but I was able to read up on that afterwards. I think many of my clients are happy to know that I have had rigorous training in the foreign language itself, and this is, of couse, one of the main knowledge domains for a translator.

Comment on ATA Annual Conference: impressions of a first-timer by Diana Lima

Diana Lima — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 20:56:04 +0000

Hi Sarah,
I wanted to briefly share with you my experience at the ATA Conference in San Diego as a first time attendee and a newbie in the world of translation.

Like you, I also watched the ATA webinar for first time attendees. Jill provides invaluable advice about business cards, resumes, sessions, networking and relaxation that is so important to those attending for the first time and for those, like myself, new to the industry. I highly recommend it. I know that one of her recommendations is to not overdo it by attending every single session, to remember to enjoy yourself and the city. I agree with her however, I decided to use the conference as an opportunity for a vacation/business trip. I left a few days before the conference and visited a friend in the LA area. I arrived in San Diego the first day of the conference and added two more days after the conference onto my trip to unwind and enjoy the city. This allowed me to take in as much of the conference as I could without feeling guilty about missing out on the beautiful city.

My goals for the conference were to learn as much as I could by attending the sessions, and there were so many good ones, meet people and get to know them, their work, and the industry, enjoy myself by attending extra events like the book launch, division dinners, and after hours café, and to check out the exhibition hall, attend CAT tool workshops, bookstores, and find out about universities providing translation studies. My goal was not to collect as many business cards as I could but to interact with other translators both on a personal and professional level, learn about the profession I’ve chosen while taking basking under the beautiful sun, an impossible feat in Toronto at the end of October.

The conference was everything I thought it would be and more. I was able to meet those whose webinars I have attended, some from eCPD, as well as authors of books I’ve read. I’m definitely attending next year’s conference in San Antonio. I’ve never been to Texas and Austin is on my list of places to visit and it’s only 2 hours away!!! I think I’ll plan my trip pretty much in the same manner as SD.

Welcome back!! Thank you for blogging about interesting and informative topics. And most importantly, congratulations on your beautiful baby girl.

p.s. it may not have been so brief afterall.