Poll: Have you ever turned down a job because the content was too emotionally charged for you?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Aug 20, 2018

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever turned down a job because the content was too emotionally charged for you?".

This poll was originally submitted by Lauren DeAre. View the poll results »



Antonio J. Pérez
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 17:27
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
No Aug 20, 2018

When some years ago I was working as a sworn translator in Belgium I had one or two jobs that were rather disturbing (a husband accused of domestic violence in one case and a father accused of incest in the other one) but I didn’t turn down the jobs.

 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 10:27
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Yes Aug 20, 2018

I don't shock easily. I once translated a document about torture that I found upsetting, but I still did the work. It was a human rights case, so I felt that at least I was "making a contribution."

The one I turned down was a long list of isolated vulgar and pornographic expressions. No context. It wasn't so much "emotionally charged" as downright disgusting (IMO). My time is too precious to me.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have to confess that I have turned
... See more
I don't shock easily. I once translated a document about torture that I found upsetting, but I still did the work. It was a human rights case, so I felt that at least I was "making a contribution."

The one I turned down was a long list of isolated vulgar and pornographic expressions. No context. It wasn't so much "emotionally charged" as downright disgusting (IMO). My time is too precious to me.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have to confess that I have turned down jobs that looked too boring. Same reason.

[Edited at 2018-08-20 10:39 GMT]
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Debora d'Amato (X)
 
Christopher Schröder
Christopher Schröder
United Kingdom
Member (2011)
Swedish to English
+ ...
Yes Aug 20, 2018

I’ve turned down work on animal testing before

 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 18:27
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
A couple of times I've discovered too late... Aug 20, 2018

I still remember one harrowing - and very long - series of case notes about someone who had been injured in traffic and was struggling to get back to work in a wheelchair to support two children. It showed Danish bureaucracy at its absolute worst!!

Parts were hand written and it was all scanned, so I could not use my CAT for the repeats - it went on and on, and it really shook my faith in the welfare state.


 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 14:27
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Again... Aug 20, 2018

Again, can a doctor refuse to assist a patient for personal reasons, because it's a terrorist or rapist? Does a lawyer refuse a client because it's a criminal?
Of course we can and should refuse a job that stimulates or promotes child abuse, drug commerce, terrorism, etc. But an article or a scientific paper in these topics? OF course not! Let's be professional.


neilmac
Amir Arzani
 
Paulinho Fonseca
Paulinho Fonseca  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 14:27
Member (2011)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Professionally speaking, it does not touch my personal life. Aug 20, 2018

We have to do what we must.

Antonio J. Pérez
Mario Freitas
 
Debora d'Amato (X)
Debora d'Amato (X)  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 18:27
English to Italian
+ ...
I have not Aug 21, 2018

So far, it never happened I came across disturbing or upsetting contents. It must be really shocking because I refuse the job.

 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 18:27
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
Professionals acknowledge reasons why they should turn down jobs Aug 22, 2018

Mario Freitas wrote:

Again, can a doctor refuse to assist a patient for personal reasons, because it's a terrorist or rapist? Does a lawyer refuse a client because it's a criminal?


Doctors, lawyers and other professionals can always refuse a task when they are personally involved, and in some cases it would be unethical not to. Interpreters are not supposed to interpret for close relatives.


Of course we can and should refuse a job that stimulates or promotes child abuse, drug commerce, terrorism, etc. But an article or a scientific paper in these topics? OF course not! Let's be professional.


You are not obliged to take on a task if it really makes you ill or is so distressing that you cannot concentrate.

There will be occasions when a professional will want to overcome personal feelings and help. But it might be advisable to pass on, say, a case history about a cancer patient just when a close relative was really ill with cancer, and it was difficult to concentrate. A colleague who could be more objective could concentrate better and perhaps do a better translation.

Or a text about a harrowing experience that the translator had also lived through. Some translators might even find it helpful, and be glad to help others, but if it only opens old wounds and makes matters worse, then there is every reason to pass the job on to someone who does not feel personally involved.


Diana Obermeyer
 


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Poll: Have you ever turned down a job because the content was too emotionally charged for you?






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