| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3 4 5 6] > | What about a forum for women and mothers? Thread poster: Silvia Barra (X)
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| And why do you assume that that's how translator parents work? | Jun 4, 2009 |
Williamson wrote:
I am only saying that you can not concentrate 100% on a translation which has to be delivered the day before yesterday i.e. working against a deadline with a baby crying for its mum or a toddler bumping in for attention every five minutes.
I am totally amazed (and indeed dismayed) at some of the attitudes expressed in this thread.
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Williamson wrote:
I am only saying that you can not concentrate 100% on a translation which has to be delivered the day before yesterday i.e. working against a deadline with a baby crying for its mum or a toddler bumping in for attention every five minutes.
Oh yes you can - and most of us don't have the choice. Silvia's suggestion was to allow people to exchange tricks on how it could be done better. To a woman, perhaps the biggest advantage of being a freelancer of any kind is exactly this - being able to care for the kids without having to take time off. If it weren't for women who are brave enough to do this, many countries would have lower GDPs...
I know one woman who has a mentally handicapped kid and who is a single parent. She freelances. With a mentally handicapped kid, there is not much else she can do besides living off social security, which she is not the least interested in. Her kid also picks up the phone, and her clients know how to deal with that. At least, freelancing allows her to buy her kid a healthy supply of Pampers - and Procter & Gamble makes more money, and they pay more taxes to the government. See? Everybody's happy. But hats off to that woman - I don't know how she does it...
| | | | | Is a work-at-home mom not a professional? | Jun 4, 2009 |
Williamson, I don't work with a crying baby in the background. My children go to daycare and school, but they are here at mealtimes and in the late afternoon and evenings. They are also here on days when schools are closed. I am a professional translator with an MA in Translation. I do not add to my hubby's salary, we both contribute to our family's income - and my contribution is greater than his. But I am also a mother and I try to balance work and family life. As that is not always easy and I... See more Williamson, I don't work with a crying baby in the background. My children go to daycare and school, but they are here at mealtimes and in the late afternoon and evenings. They are also here on days when schools are closed. I am a professional translator with an MA in Translation. I do not add to my hubby's salary, we both contribute to our family's income - and my contribution is greater than his. But I am also a mother and I try to balance work and family life. As that is not always easy and I could sometimes use advice and tips from other mothers, I would be in favour of a forum where I could ask my colleagues for advice. That's all. I don't like the way you talk about me and my fellow work-at-home moms. I am no less a professional than you are.
[Bijgewerkt op 2009-06-04 06:51 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Williamson 
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:39
Flemish to English
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| Exactly my point of view. | Jun 4, 2009 |
ariffo wrote:
While the words "translation: the profession for working mums" may be unfortunate and (quite) offensive, I understand the sentiment behind them and agree. I have met (too) many people who think that translating is nothing more than having one lousy dictionary and having spent 6 months abroad... and thus decide "hey, I've been laid off/can't find a job/need pocket money/want to stay at home with my kids... I know! I'll become a translator". I am NOT saying that this is an accurate assumption, nor that this is the reality of our colleagues here at Proz. However, regardless of that, such a forum on "women and mothers" will very probably add to that image and I wouldn't like to see that happen.
Greetings
Andrea
That is exactly what I meant with translator : thé profession of working mums. Such an image would also affect rates.
Organisation or not: There is no way that you work against a deadline with a baby/child constantly requiring your attention without help of others (hubby, child-care, etc...).
[Bijgewerkt op 2009-06-04 08:35 GMT]
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| Amateur farmers! | Jun 4, 2009 |
Another interesting forum for Proz.com: Translators who are also amateur farmers! It will be awfully interesting to discuss how amateur farming influences our working times, as times come during the year in which you must go to the fields and care for your crops or you lose them. How does caring for your crops influence your work as a translator and viceversa?
Now, honest: I think a forum about mothers and translation could be sexist. Why don't you say "parenting and translation"?
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Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:
Another interesting forum for Proz.com: Translators who are also amateur farmers!
Indeed. Motorcycle maintenance was the facetious comparison I thought of - how to find the time to strip down the engine and suchlike
Now, honest: I think a forum about mothers and translation could be sexist. Why don't you say "parenting and translation"?
Despite the frantic backtracking, it is indeed unfortunate that the title bar of the page as I type this still says "... a forum for women and mothers?".
Anyway, moving on, it seems to me that there are 2 types of subforum that we find acceptable, and indeed which seem to exist here on proz:
a) those where the topic is solely and 100% related to language service provision. So literary translation, interpreting (in fact, everything under the "Art of Translation"), CAT tools and suchlike
b) those where the topic is (potentially) relevant to 100% of translators/interpreters, even if it is one that also effects the wider world or other professions as well - technical stuff, banking, VAT, debt collection.
It seems to me that with the possible exception of some of the Language Studies categories (e.g. multi lingual families), all the sub forums we have now are either 100% about translation* or affect 100% of translators*
(* for these purposes, include interpreters, subtitlers, transcribers, editors, etc.)
Now, we do indeed all have a lifestyle. A lifestyle forum, with individual threads for mothers, fathers, the left-handed, small-holders, dog breeders, stamp collectors, motorcycle maintainers (?), or whatever else... I see no harm.
Personally, I discuss non-translation stuff on forums dedicated to non-translation stuff (or, heaven forfend, with real life people), but as long as any subforum is 100% inclusive to all translators* or 100% about translation*, I can see no reason to object. If it does not meet one of those criteria... well, we can see what happens
| | | | Silvia Barra (X)
Italy
Local time: 06:39
English to Italian
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TOPIC STARTER
When I put this suggestion I didn't think this forum would become a place for exchanging offence, predjudices and the like.
First of all, I thank you all people who support my idea, yes, maybe the title could be "freelancing and lifestyle", as this is what I meant.
I accept all your ideas, and I repeat that mine was just a suggestion. I did not intend making some discrimination nor feminism (I'm absolutely not a feminist!). If Prozians do not like this thread it's all ... See more When I put this suggestion I didn't think this forum would become a place for exchanging offence, predjudices and the like.
First of all, I thank you all people who support my idea, yes, maybe the title could be "freelancing and lifestyle", as this is what I meant.
I accept all your ideas, and I repeat that mine was just a suggestion. I did not intend making some discrimination nor feminism (I'm absolutely not a feminist!). If Prozians do not like this thread it's all like before, no problem.
I'd like only to state some things for people thinking that it is impossible working with a baby crying on one side.
1. I assure it is possible: I've a 2 years old boy and never missed a deadline, nor any client said me the translation was not accurate. I even worked when my baby was ill or at hospital, with good results.
2. Being a working mother does not mean working in spare time from Pampers and toys: it means working hard maybe at night, when the child sleeps and optimizing the time in order to spend some more time with the family.
This is not so different for mothers (and fathers) who does not work at home (what about your concentration at your in-house work - mothers and fathers - after a night asleep because your child cried all the night, (or because your dog was ill)?)
3. Being a mother and working at home does not necessary mean having your baby with you: my little boy during the day stays with his grandparents, so I'm completely alone and concentrated. When he'll grow, he'll go to school, so no problem.
4. As Els said:
" I do not add to my hubby's salary, we both contribute to our family's income - and my contribution is greater than his. But I am also a mother and I try to balance work and family life. As that is not always easy and I could sometimes use advice and tips from other mothers, I would be in favour of a forum where I could ask my colleagues for advice. That's all. I don't like the way you talk about me and my fellow work-at-home moms. I am no less a professional than you are."
Mine is the same situation. I have a degree in chemistry and a Master in translation and I never thought being less professional than others who work in-house and make career (nor less professional than men!!!).
5. I'm sorry seeing that all over the world women's work is considered less than men's because women have to care about house and such a things. I thought this kind of thinking was present only in Italy.
6. All these points are true also for fathers who work at home. And if your child has not school and he stays at home crying and playing what do you do fathers?
I stop here my comments. I still think that a forum helping freelancers who work at home (above all) managing all aspects of daily life (children and washing machines but not only) can be useful, but I can live also without it, as I did until now.
If it is out ProZ forum rules I do not discuss.
Thank you all for your participation.
Silvia
PS Maybe if all this people answered about this suggestion, maybe, it would not be such a bad idea...
PS2: Sorry for my English, I'm not English mother tongue ▲ Collapse
| | | | Silvia Barra (X)
Italy
Local time: 06:39
English to Italian
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TOPIC STARTER | Just a little add... | Jun 4, 2009 |
I think the vast majority of men do not even imagine how women run all the day to make all thing go easy.
I'm referring to mothers, women without children, singles, divorced, lesbian, young, old, freelancers, nurses, workers, employees, women in career, housewives, etc. etc.
Have a nice day
Silvia
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Silvia Barra wrote:
I think the vast majority of men do not even imagine how women run all the day to make all thing go easy.
I suspect the same may apply in reverse as well - feeling under-appreciated is not the exclusive preserve of the female of the species
| | | | Silvia Barra (X)
Italy
Local time: 06:39
English to Italian
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TOPIC STARTER | Yes, viceversa too | Jun 4, 2009 |
Yes, Charlie, you're right. This can be true vice versa too.
| | | | | Report to proz staff | Jun 4, 2009 |
Silvia Barra wrote:
When I put this suggestion I didn't think this forum would become a place for exchanging offence, predjudices and the like.
I encourage you to report any offence to Proz.com's staff or the moderators so that they can take action! Either that, or do tell us what comments do you think are offensive.
| | | | | I am a feminist mother who has raised 2 children | Jun 4, 2009 |
I can also vouch that you CAN work as a professional translator with screaming babies around you when you need to meet a deadline.
Being a mother and looking after a home does not mean that you cannot be a professional translator.
Why do men and some women automatically assume that being a mother cannot be reconciled with having a good and lucrative career? I've always fully backed child care sharing amongst a group of women. This is the best kind of network that you ca... See more I can also vouch that you CAN work as a professional translator with screaming babies around you when you need to meet a deadline.
Being a mother and looking after a home does not mean that you cannot be a professional translator.
Why do men and some women automatically assume that being a mother cannot be reconciled with having a good and lucrative career? I've always fully backed child care sharing amongst a group of women. This is the best kind of network that you can create for yourself as a mother and professional translator since other women who also have children and are trying to build up a career will know what is important and what is not.
I am a feminist and quite proud to be one too. I am only politically correct when translating. If women were truly equal to men, we would not be having this discussion.
I also believe that starting such a forum is pertinent to our profession since so many women are translators and mothers at the same time. Women have to find solutions to their child care problems since they would not be able to be professional translators if they don't. ▲ Collapse
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Silvia Barra (X)
Italy
Local time: 06:39
English to Italian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Marijke Singer wrote:
If women were truly equal to men, we would not be having this discussion.
I supposed so when I made my suggestion, but I see that you're right.
Hi, Marijke
silvia
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Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:
I encourage you to report any offence to Proz.com's staff or the moderators so that they can take action!
Absolutely. What this site needs is more threads locked or deleted.
I would venture to suggest that in some cases at least, cultural differences are a factor at play on this particular topic.
Perhaps engaging with those with whom we disagree, discussing the points on which we differ and attempting to lead them down the path to enlightenment, is sometimes a better option than running off to the mods screaming "mummy, mummy, mummy, the nasty man said a bad thing".
| | | | | Who in their right mind would want to be equal? | Jun 4, 2009 |
Marijke Singer wrote:
If women were truly equal to men, we would not be having this discussion.
I, for one, don't advocate lowering my standards
[Edited at 2009-06-04 11:49 GMT]
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