Poll: Do you think people have a pre-conceived idea of how translators should look (appearance)? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you think people have a pre-conceived idea of how translators should look (appearance)?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 18:47
English to French
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Some don't, some do... Depends on their own profession and on their country, and it is usually unconscious.
Some people/companies/countries/agencies/customers like more formal relations/dress code with their customers/providers, others like more relaxed relations/dress code/attitude.
Nothing to do with quality as such, more with 'local' culture!
[Modifié le 2010-10-30 12:46 GMT]
[Modifié le 2010-10-30 13:15 GMT]
[Modifié le 2010-10... See more Some don't, some do... Depends on their own profession and on their country, and it is usually unconscious.
Some people/companies/countries/agencies/customers like more formal relations/dress code with their customers/providers, others like more relaxed relations/dress code/attitude.
Nothing to do with quality as such, more with 'local' culture!
[Modifié le 2010-10-30 12:46 GMT]
[Modifié le 2010-10-30 13:15 GMT]
[Modifié le 2010-10-30 13:21 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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There is a deeply rooted stereotype that translator must be a good-looking young woman. There is even a joke:
Job opening: Translator needed
Requirements: 90-60-90
knowledge of a foreign language would be a plus
| | | | Theo Bernards (X) 
France
Local time: 18:47
English to Dutch
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| They must have... | Oct 30, 2010 |
Because people often look surprised when I say I am a translator . Then again, I don't think that all people would have such pre-conceived notions about how "we" should look.
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Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 18:47
Member (2009)
English to German
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| It depends... | Oct 30, 2010 |
on the kind of translator they're looking for.
When it comes to freelancers, who might never meet their clients face to face, the quality of their work is or should be of greater importance than their appearance.
It's a different story when it comes to filling an in-house position. There certain dress codes might apply, which is fine, and sometimes even a physical handicap is being taken into consideration - which is not only wrong but also illegal.
People... See more on the kind of translator they're looking for.
When it comes to freelancers, who might never meet their clients face to face, the quality of their work is or should be of greater importance than their appearance.
It's a different story when it comes to filling an in-house position. There certain dress codes might apply, which is fine, and sometimes even a physical handicap is being taken into consideration - which is not only wrong but also illegal.
People are different. So are their requirements and ideas. ▲ Collapse
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I tend to think that clients expect a good translator to look like ...well, ME! (Is that myoptic or just crassly less than modest?) Just kidding.
In fact, I think that prospects & clients do have their own images of translators, but each according to his/her own preferences. People who work in more bohemian atmospheres (not sure that term means 'creative casual' in all varieties of English, as it does in the U.S.), while others expect a pretty formal business appearance. By being... See more I tend to think that clients expect a good translator to look like ...well, ME! (Is that myoptic or just crassly less than modest?) Just kidding.
In fact, I think that prospects & clients do have their own images of translators, but each according to his/her own preferences. People who work in more bohemian atmospheres (not sure that term means 'creative casual' in all varieties of English, as it does in the U.S.), while others expect a pretty formal business appearance. By being a bit flexible and observant, myself, I can adjust if necessary to keep the client working comfortably with me on his project, for in-person contacts. ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 18:47
Spanish to English
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Quite possibly. People often have erroneous preconceptions about such things, for example thinking that spectacles make the wearer look more intelligent (the reason supposedly being that they read more than average, or simply could in fact read), although I do know that they make me look more serious/businesslike. The same goes for people who think that all librarians wear glasses... and translators could fall into the same category.
When I was teaching, I used to dress more smartly... See more Quite possibly. People often have erroneous preconceptions about such things, for example thinking that spectacles make the wearer look more intelligent (the reason supposedly being that they read more than average, or simply could in fact read), although I do know that they make me look more serious/businesslike. The same goes for people who think that all librarians wear glasses... and translators could fall into the same category.
When I was teaching, I used to dress more smartly than usual in order to "look the part" ... which helps "get into character" and makes people more likely to take you more seriously.
Most people operate on the basis of stereotypes and generalisations, which is normal, as long as you don't end up throwing the baby out with the bathwater and thinking that you can't be a "proper" translator unless you suffer myopia... ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Which people? | Oct 30, 2010 |
It depends on which people they are talking about. Some people don't even know that translators exist, what they do or who they are, or they probably think translators should look like a Google program.
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| maybe a bit! | Oct 30, 2010 |
i think maybe some people will assume you're a frumpy librarian type with big thick glasses, or maybe sort of a couch-potato type with a mushroomy complexion from being indoors all day.
From what I've seen, we're of all types and it seems most of us are actually pretty physically active.
| | | | janen
Local time: 04:47
Spanish to English
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| No, but perhaps they should. | Oct 30, 2010 |
I see people who look like me far more often on this website than anywhere else. They're not any one particular nationality, so I don't understand it.
| | | | Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 09:47
English to German
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In memoriam
are well aware of my bizarre work hours. They probably picture me in a nightgown and curlers with bunny slippers on my feet.
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I think that's probably the case for most of us, in my case it's sweats and a hoodie (at this time of year anyways).
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Maria Simmen
Germany
Local time: 18:47
English to German
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| Same here! :-) | Oct 31, 2010 |
Marlene Blanshay wrote:
I think that's probably the case for most of us, in my case it's sweats and a hoodie (at this time of year anyways).
| | | | sasiseso (X)
Spain
Local time: 18:47
| pre-conceived ideas | Nov 5, 2010 |
Pre-conceived ideas have the tendency to be found pretty much everywhere, I think.
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