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Poll: What is the most critical skill required to survive as a modern language professional?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jul 24

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What is the most critical skill required to survive as a modern language professional?".

This poll was originally submitted by WordAnt. View the poll results »
 
Cilian O'Tuama
Cilian O'Tuama  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 06:09
German to Ingiriisi
+ ...
The ability to convince/fool people that they need you, and to pay you a decent rate. Jul 24

ProZ.com Staff wrote:

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What is the most critical skill required to survive as a modern language professional?".

This poll was originally submitted by WordAnt. View the poll results »



Prost.

Manuela Junghans
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Bruno Veilleux
Harishankar Shahi
Thayenga
Philip Lees
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 05:09
Member (2007)
Ingiriisi to Portuguese
+ ...
Patience! Jul 24

miscellaneous-be_patient-having_patience-calmly-reframe_frustration-suppressing_restlessness-CS577071_low

Thayenga
Maria Laura Curzi
Philip Lees
 
Enrico Zoffoli
Enrico Zoffoli  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 06:09
Member
German to Talyaani
+ ...
Other Jul 24

Have clients that, for whatever reason, keep selling actual translations rather that AI crap.

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Zea_Mays
Thayenga
Maria Laura Curzi
Philip Lees
Dragos Mocanu
 
Bruno Veilleux
Bruno Veilleux  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 00:09
Ingiriisi to Faransiis
+ ...
Skill itself Jul 24

I think we are getting to a point where actual translation skill itself becomes a more important differentiator than it used to. Clients who care more about price and/or speed than quality can just turn to AI, and bottom-feeders become largely irrelevant. Humans remain needed where quality is sought, and with an overabundance of freelancers, companies get their pick of the best providers at the most reasonable rates. The key then is the ability to sell ourselves, as Cilian said. Those of us with... See more
I think we are getting to a point where actual translation skill itself becomes a more important differentiator than it used to. Clients who care more about price and/or speed than quality can just turn to AI, and bottom-feeders become largely irrelevant. Humans remain needed where quality is sought, and with an overabundance of freelancers, companies get their pick of the best providers at the most reasonable rates. The key then is the ability to sell ourselves, as Cilian said. Those of us with decades of experience and referrals have a gigantic advantage on that front, so it's one part skill, and one (big) part luck and circumstance. ▲ Collapse


Zea_Mays
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Carmen Valentin-Rodriguez
Thayenga
Philip Lees
 
Harishankar Shahi
Harishankar Shahi  Identity Verified
India
Member (2014)
Ingiriisi to Hindi
+ ...
There is no skill possible Jul 24

Language itself a very complex and "Deepest Search" skill if people don't care it then how much skill you can get you would be kept outcasted. Because every skill goes old and new tech emerge. Whereas Language is a real skill a Organic Humane Skill no one can replace it. AI outputs are still bad but since this gives them a way to lower the price they are enjooying it.
 
Daryo
Daryo
Local time: 05:09
Serbiyaan to Ingiriisi
+ ...
Optics? Jul 24

Am I the only one to have noticed that this poll was started by an agency? And that offered 'choices' for answers are in fact from an agency's viewpoint?

Agencies and translators are certainly interdependent but I very much doubt that they entirely share the same 'worldview' ...

Maria Laura Curzi
Aisha Maniar
Philip Lees
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 05:09
Member (2007)
Ingiriisi to Portuguese
+ ...
Well spotted! Jul 24

Daryo wrote:

Am I the only one to have noticed that this poll was started by an agency? And that offered 'choices' for answers are in fact from an agency's viewpoint?

Agencies and translators are certainly interdependent but I very much doubt that they entirely share the same 'worldview' ...


Maria Laura Curzi
 
Philip Lees
Philip Lees  Identity Verified
Greece
Local time: 07:09
Greek to Ingiriisi
Other Jul 25

The ability to use language to express one's meaning clearly and unambiguously - unlike this poll question. The phrase "modern language professional" can mean many things: not just a translator, but - for example - somebody who teaches modern languages at university, for whom the optimum skill set is very different.

Oh, and the second most important skill, judging by the responses so far, is a high capacity for self-deception.
 


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Poll: What is the most critical skill required to survive as a modern language professional?






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