Translators certainly are a peculiar category. They devote their work to languages, and they help people from different cultures and backgrounds communicate.
If you happen to be close to a translator, however, you might already know that they might be quirky in their personal life.
Here are some of the best (and worst) defining features of many translators:
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Translators work 24/7
The work of a translator is atypical in many ways. They usually work from home, and their clients are often scattered around the globe. This means that many translators have to put up with time zone differences and late-night work for deadlines, unlike the average 9 to 5 worker.
Translation is a state of mind
Attention to detail is one of the most important skills for any translator. While this quality might be priceless for a language project, it can also become annoying when your translator friend or partner is constantly busy scanning menus, billboards, or leaflets for any translation mistake or typo!
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Translators ≠ dictionaries
People speaking with a translator often tend to exploit their friend’s understanding of a language by asking questions like “How do you say x in language y?”. This question can trigger a countless series of thought’s in the translator mind such as: in which context is the word used? Who is saying it? Who is reading it?
Translators, unlike dictionaries, do not have rigid or mechanical answers, as translation is much more than a word-by-word substitution.
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Watch your tongue
Translators are strict with grammar. Reading incorrect phrasing or spelling mistakes on social media can be very annoying for them, and they can sometimes be too fond of correcting people’s grammar or pronunciation.
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Translators work out in front of their computers
Translating documents all day can be a sedentary task. This is why many translators working from home periodically make pauses to stretch and have a walk, and sometimes even work out in front of their screen while thinking about their next paragraph and still ready to answer any urgent e-mail!
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Open-minded
While translators might sometimes be difficult to deal with, their awareness of different cultures gives them a unique perspective on other people. Translators are inclusive individuals who love diversity and set international dialogue as their mission.
Do you know any translator with any of these quirks? Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments below!
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