Improving proz profile/sample translations Thread poster: Diana Kaplan
|
|---|
Diana Kaplan 
Germany
Local time: 16:51
English to German
+ ...
Dear all,
Last question for today- I would like to upload a few sample translations to improve my profile.
I was just wondering, where to get the source text from? Am I allowed to take an article (for example) off the internet and to translate it or can I can post a document I´ve really translated, obvously without any personal date being visible?
What did you do?
Thanks again,
Diana
| | | | Eva Stoppa
Germany
Local time: 16:51
English to German
+ ...
| Newspaper articles from the internet | Feb 4, 2020 |
In my view, newspaper articles shouldn't be a Problem. They are public anyway, but maybe someone else has more Information on this Topic. I wouldn't take texts, however, which I really have translated for Clients.
| | | | | Choose older content as an alternative option | Feb 4, 2020 |
I agree with Eva, don’t use actual translation assignments. You can opt to use older content though. I did a translation of the user manual of the first CD player from 1982 to showcase my skills. I figured no one would care if I walked away with this material, since this device has long gone obsolete.
| | | | | Be careful with copyright issues | Feb 4, 2020 |
Diana Kaplan wrote:
Am I allowed to take an article (for example) off the internet?
Diana
By default, you should assume that all content you find on the internet is copyrighted. The rules what you can do with copyrighted material can be very different in different jurisdictions. Using it as sample source for translations might constitute "fair use", but the concept of "fair use" does not exist in all countries, particularly not in Europe.
What you can do is use material in the Public Domain, or with a Creative Commons license or similar. For example, Wikipedia articles or even better, Wikibooks ( https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Main_Page ). You can check Wikibooks for articles on your fields of specialization and use abstracts or extracts as sample sources. Look up the license and license them accordingly.
| | |
|
|
|
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
Diana, you have no business education, do you?
It’s ok, but your Bio/CV is but information for it does NOT answer: What’s in it for me?
Thus if something looks like clichéd I … I … I … I … I … numbers… numbers … I … I … I … blah-blah-bla… centalbank and big funny names it means literally nothing.
Why exactly should a prospect work with you?
(Note that unlike direct clients, middlemen may seek very different characteristics.)
I would recommend using a reversed BAF technique: Benefits → Advantages → Features == Motives.
Even better if you've got a real* in-demand specialty, which can be nicely supplemented with foreign languages.
And don’t forget about diversification—from rewriting, copywriting, and transcreation to mentoring, consulting, interpreting, and non-linguistic/interdisciplinary activities.
By the way, a clever fisherman goes at different places at various times with plenty of baits--and for a good reason.
Good luck
| | | | Diana Kaplan
Germany
Local time: 16:51
English to German
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Thank you all... | Feb 5, 2020 |
and esp. DZiW for giving me new ideas (instead of numbers, yes you´re right on that).
| | | |
Why not find something that you would like to translate and contact the author to ask permission?
Rachel
| | | | Brian Joyce
United Kingdom
Member (2022)
French to English
"copyright is for losers" Banksy. If it's good enough for him it's good enough for me. I translated Houellebecq for a example, what is he gonna do, sue me?
[Edited at 2020-02-09 15:41 GMT]
| | |
|
|
|
Sarah Maidstone
Germany
Local time: 16:51
Member (2020)
German to English
+ ...
| Ask the client | Feb 22, 2020 |
I used a text I’d actually translated for a client’s website. I asked him if I could use it as a reference text and he was happy for me to do so. For my other main fields that wouldn’t be appropriate due to copyright issues, though, so it probably depends on what fields you’re working in.
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Improving proz profile/sample translations | Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users!
Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value
Buy now! » |
| | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
