| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Have you ever considered learning a new language as a way for expanding your business? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever considered learning a new language as a way for expanding your business?".
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 19:46
English to French
+ ...
I was sort of asked to, but as I already decline work, I did not see the point. I even dropped 2 of the languages I used to translate from - well, one completely, the other I still translate from for 2 customers (but others do not need to know .
I learn languages for fun, not for professional use.
[Modifié le 2009-10-12 10:59 GMT]
| | | | Janina Dörnath (X) 
Germany
Local time: 19:46
English to German
+ ...
I am actually learning a new language for this reason. It's quite complicate to bring it in line with all the other work, so it might still take a while until it will be a part of my translator's profile. However, I won't give up
| | | |
I could speak German and French almost perfectly, I haven't used these languages for years so I have forgotten almost everything. But I see that if I try to read it, after a while things come back to my mind. I would like to study them again and practice them and use the for work.
| | |
|
|
|
Latin_Hellas (X)
United States
Local time: 19:46
Italian to English
+ ...
| Yes, in the past | Oct 12, 2009 |
I've done it in the past, successfully, but at this point I probably won't try to expand further in this sense.
The focus is on maintaining existing customers and diversifying into new ones, digging deeper into existing niches and penetrating new ones.
| | | | Iris Shalev
Israel
Local time: 20:46
English to Dutch
+ ...
I am also in the process of learning another language (Hebrew). Although I am not studying it intensely, just 'learning by osmosis', and I think it does take years of study to get to 'near-native' level... I would certainly not try to translate anything beyond 'extremely easy' level from Hebrew after having lived in Israel for years already... But I still hope to translate from it in the future.
Iris.
| | | |
I speak three languages well and have learned 3 more which I do not master and I think that the investment would be too big to learn a new language to such a high level that I could use it professionally. I consider broadening my field though, so that I could translate new topics and thus get more work.
| | | |
I've just moved to Norway for the job of my husband ... so I have to learn Norwegian in order to understand what's up here ... but I still don't know if I will ever be able to use it on a professional basis!
| | |
|
|
|
Tim Drayton
Cyprus
Local time: 20:46
Turkish to English
+ ...
I am too old now to learn a language sufficiently well to use it for translation purposes. Anyhow, having settled in a place where I have no knowledge of the local language - Greek - I am kept busy simply trying to acquire enough of this language for survival purposes, as well as gain at least a receptive knowledge the vernacular forms of Greek and Turkish that are used in Cyprus.
| | | | jccantrell
United States
Local time: 10:46
Member (2005)
German to English
I find it difficult enough trying to keep abreast of the changes in the two languages I do know. This is especially the case considering that I try to stick to technical topics where new words and phrases are being added on a daily basis, or even more often!
While learning a new language is fun, and would make a great addition, trying to use it in a business sense just would not make sense to me.
| | | |
I know there are many ProZ out there who speak and work in multiple languages, and in a way I envy these people; however I know myself, and I prefer to specialise in a single language pair and in one or two specialist areas. I give the best quality this way, and at the end of the day this is what counts for me. I find great satisfaction in having a profound knowledge of all the ins and outs and nuances of a particular language, and am often curious how in-depth a knowledge of a language one can ... See more I know there are many ProZ out there who speak and work in multiple languages, and in a way I envy these people; however I know myself, and I prefer to specialise in a single language pair and in one or two specialist areas. I give the best quality this way, and at the end of the day this is what counts for me. I find great satisfaction in having a profound knowledge of all the ins and outs and nuances of a particular language, and am often curious how in-depth a knowledge of a language one can have when translating to and from many languages. But each to his own ▲ Collapse
| | | | | i have considered it | Oct 12, 2009 |
but i agree, it's better to just specialize in one pair. However, if i did consider another language it would be spanish, of which i know a little.
| | |
|
|
|
| Yes - but... | Oct 12, 2009 |
I chose Arabic - so that will take a looooooooooong time
Karin
| | | |
I'm learning Portuguese now, and I realize it will take long before I can use it professionally. But I think, learning a language of the same group (I know French, which is also a Roman language) can contribute to one's overall linguistic competence. Besides, if I didn't have professional purposes, my learning would be less efficient
| | | | Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 11:46
English to Spanish
+ ...
In memoriam
English and Spanish are the two languages I know intimately, and they go on forever. Even if I were in my 20's I don't think I could ever acquire another language to that level, no way. But then again, my strength is those two languages and it really works for me. Plus I'm not in my 20's.
It would be fun to learn some other languages at least at a more basic level, but alas, life is too short... maybe in the next go-around if there is one!
| | | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: Have you ever considered learning a new language as a way for expanding your business? | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
| | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
