Sotiria Orfanidou
Activity
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Maybe inform consumers using numbers (i.e. for eaxh use ir appliance) to compare and also urge them to use other sources, i.e. a solar water heater rather than an electric one.
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
AI can do a great job, especially in diagnosis, but with humans always there as supervisors.
It would be a mistake to let AI do the job alone... -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Auto regulation is a high bet... It can only be done if everyone involved (consumers, companies, etc.) were informed and had such an awareness. This is hard without adequate information.
Besides that, policies assure that a "fair game" is played. -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
It is importand, but governments decide for these issues...
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@YuXuanJiang True, but services provided have to be well-payed. We should not get payed as typewriters, but as translators, and knowledge and education a professional translator has is of a very high standard.
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
I believe that a writer, in any language, creates and uses (produces, more technically) a language and a style of their own. And this is art. So, though the translation should not repell the reader, it is normal and expected to be a bit "out of the ordinary". For example, if a writer in source language uses very small sentences, he/she has a reason, it is...
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Sotiria Orfanidou replied to paul woods
This IS creative!!! Hahaha!!!
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
"Επιλογέας θέσης γονάτου" would be my try for the knee device, which in backtranslation gives "Knee position selector".
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
There are fortunately lots of great acronym finders and provide explanations for all fields.
Totally agree with videos, but I still value some printed acknowledged dictionaries.
I think all translators that love their job, enjoy this part of research! -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
And an advice: keep a record or notes of your term sources (i.e. links, documents,etc.) when working on a project. You might need to go back to them or establish your choices to the reviewer or client.
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Though the internet is a valuable search field, there is Iate for EU languages and also several online glossaries, you can call me "old-school", but I consider the higly specialized, signed by an expert and published by acknowledged publishers as the most valid provider of a translation for a term.
Together with this, scientific publications and textbooks on... -
Great points those about revision. True, better by another person, but if done by same translator, a time gap really helps and it is like a whole new approach!
Great piece of text! -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
My fellow participators, please do not confuse MT (Machine Translation) with Google Search, online dictionaries, search on bilingual/multilingual databases, translation memories or use of CAT Tools.
Totally different thing as a task and translation approach. -
Sotiria Orfanidou replied to Fehaid AlSubaie
Totally agree! You gave me an idea, when someone thinks translation is 'piece of cake' and can be done fast (client or not), I will suggest them to do it on their own using google translate! Maybe when they see the result, they will begin to understand what we do! :)
It is good to hear you have a lot of appreciative clients.
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Sotiria Orfanidou replied to Fehaid AlSubaie
I think what Valeria was saying is to educarte them as an industry, as a professional group, not giving lessons to every client in a direct way.
Associations, groups etc. should 'educate' the clients, only what they need to know, so they can value our work and be able to choose a good translator and realize he/she must be well paid because the job is really... -
Agree, but what kind of client or agency would accept "any errors are acceptable" in case of assigning post-translation to a professional?
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Excactly! Human decision-making can be aided, but not replaced. In all fields.
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
(Part 2) I am still fond of CAT tools, their use is of a great value and when I encounter MT sections in my jobs, I value it when if it's run based on the client's style, glossaries, previous TMs, so they can fit and promise real post-editing and not erase all of it and begin from scratch (especially when there is a discount in your rate).
When MT gets to an... -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
(Part 1) Allow me, as a professional translator, to disagree with the message that it is a good practice for a translator to use and 'have Google translate open' on screen for their jobs.
I also disagree with connecting it with mentioned organizations,EU, UN, etc. when there are more official sources for this such iate, eur-lex, glosbee, etc. No, not for a... -
As for the question,both jobs are professional projects and should be handled with the same attention and professional standards.
To achieve this, more time and research,as well as more careful checks before delivery (i.e. termilology, etc.), should be made on the first one.
Which means, you can have a good quality in the second one with less time and... -
What I would like to point out here is that the revision step (editing/review/proofreading, you name it) must be followed for an optimal result. It has become a common practice to skip this step for cost reduction, but a reviser must always be at the sequence of the project process. And, of course, this person must be another person than the translator, who...
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
You have made a great point, which is, what happens when the source text is problematic or contains errors?
It is a matter of who shall be reaponsible for which step of the task.
Looking forward to see what's next in this peak week! -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
1. Put yourself in the other person's shoes. Which means, try to understand what and how they need to comprehend the information, about something they understand nothing about due to the language barrier. And provide it accordingly, with respect to the 'user' and to the original meaning.
2. When it comes to art, art has its own language. Try to be as discreet... -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Could you please provide us a kind of an 'answer' to this challenging quiz? :)
I would like to hear some of the best approaches that would cover the professional standards for this scenario. Thank you in advance! -
Nice and not at all intrusive, in which I agree. And you let them do the job!
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You solved a lot of practical issues, even starting from the entrance! Nice thought! :)
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Oh, I just wrote about printed material, too! :)
I agree, could someone quite young think of it as old-fashioned, but I totally agree with you. This separation will help the art. That is the reason I would not prefer an e-leaflet or e-catalgue, either. Visitors should look at the art, not their smartphones! (Or maybe because I am not as young!!! Ha ha ha!) -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Oh...difficult scenario! I think, the artists should be free to use any language they want and just create. Their creations should be in the first line, whatever the language. I wouldn't like to see labels or texts, even small and discreet, next or below the creations. I would suggest printing a leaflet with explanations, maybe with small icons of the...
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Here in Greece the culture ia not multilingual, but English is a very popular language in music and of course all American and English pop and rock music.
So, in recent years, lots of Greek artists try to sing their songs in an English version too, and as a means to 'export' them.Translation of lyrics has to follow the music and rhythm, and is not so...
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Wow!
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Thank you!☺
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Oh, my sense exactly! Let's wait to see!!!
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Would it be far-fetched to say that those two posters are both original and not a translation? I mean, there was not a preceeding text.
Though the subject is in English in both texts, I believe it was because the British School chose this. What I am wondering is in which language this event took place, Italian speakers in a British School, only English or... -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
My contribution to Padlet is quite trivial, a feelance translator's home office.
I saw really interesting pictures there, though I wonder, why is there so much stress on interpretation rather than translation (written texts)... -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Really, I couldn't have imagined that, so many languages and dialects in this number of population! Seems extraordinary, but I guess issues can arise.
Makes doctor's work much harder; responsibility for patients is high and misunderstandings must be avoided.
Dictionary project is a great step!
Thanks for the info! -
It is never late to learn a new language. On the contrary, you learn really faster!
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So, next time you go to the supermarket, take your interpreter with you! :)
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@PascaleMongin you're so lucky, doing this in an environment such as a museum, I guess culture is all over the place!
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Quite right, though the more you move away from art and towards technical translation, this becomes really limited... Though I agree with Pat, you are always yourself, 2 technical translators no matter strict the limits of text and terminology, shall hardly ever produce the exact same text, as of use of language.
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@JoshuaRoorda who says store owners (small-sized enterprises mostly) always consult a translator? They think they know markering, their audience and languages well enough to name their brands and services/products as they like! :)
They are free to do that, and we are free to laugh or admire their creativity!! :)) -
Ha ha ha, so right! Who said translation is only for scholars, it is mostly for everyday users!! Nice one!
I also liked your visual aspect of translation with your photos!!! -
I really enjoyed this metaphor :)
Well, it's good to try other things than same home food, right? -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
I could say translation is an entry ticket to, so far, unknown and incomprehensible information or meaning for the user.
Could be gaining access to how an apliance works (user manual), what another person is saying (in social life or as you pointed out in courts), or how another person expresses feelings or ideas (literature, poems).
The list is... -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Plays and films are a great example that shows the fact that art has its own universal "language". Songs, too, but the pictures or visual information gives out a strong message, actors are all from human race, share the same feelings, so they can communicate them even to specrators of another language.
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Language as part of unique identity, and at the same time a common link to communication.
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
First name I can think of is Nikos Kazantzakis, famous writer from Crete, Greece, who has also translated great writers and pieces into Modern Greek, such as Homer (also used in school textbooks) and Jules Verne.
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Sotiria Orfanidou replied to Chrissi P
I have never heard of an extra payment for research, yes, it is like teachers!☺ (or else, please correct me!)
Though, the translator can have a brief look at the text to be translated and decide to ask for a higher rare if he/she thinks that he/she shall need more time because of the complexity of the subject or the requirement of a more extended and... -
Great point! Thanks for sharing!
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Confidentiality is a top priority in code of conduct. And it is really appreciated by clients, agencies and all cooperators.
Marketing sector cares a lot about confidentiality and translators understand that. We translators cannot share any kind of information about a product that is going to be launched, who gave us this translation project, or who else we... -
Totally agree and I have the very same practice, especially when legal issues are concerned, i.e. in legal texts.
It is a pity though to "loose" a bit of your reputation as a professional because some people cannot understand such technicalities... -
@JoelSORO underestimating the time and work needed for other people's job is becoming a norm nowadays. But since our profession is something they know very little about, this makes understanding harder...
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So true!
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I totally agree with your last sentences, translators have to be trusted.
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You did the right thing! Point is, did they understand it or started thinking you are maybe not as good a translator as they thought?
I think people do not have to know all this, but most importantly to be able to understand when you explain it... -
Also, people think translators are dictionaries with legs!!!
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@KimLouise we could make a long list of examples, indeed. The sad part of the story is that all this is "killing" the target languages, their use becomes undervalued and even some bad translations are "passed over" and become a part of the language culture, deteriorating the linguistic level of native users.
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Indeed, unfortunately there are different opinions between clients and translators concerning cost and time. And those are the most crucial.
I think a good translator wants highest quality possible, but mostly short deadlines makes this a combat.
I believe that companies and brands should care much more about quality of their translation texts (i.e. their... -
Based on my experience, it is quite difficult to explain to customers in the market that it is the best option to translate to our native language and not vice versa or both ways. Some of them may consider it a weakness at linguistic skills, while it is just the opposite...
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Interpretation is already a hard thing, court interpretation must be really tough and challenging!
There is so much at stake...
And of course, you don't have your dictionaries with you or time on your side! -
@KevinW totally agree,though I believe that the translation market should be different and maybe there are some few positions for well-payed specialized translators i.e. in a construction company. But I completely understand what you are saying and agree it is a sad story.
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@LoredanaPolezzi "sensitization of translation users" is a great concept! End users,readers, consumers, but also companies that want to communicate their messages on services and products.
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@LoredanaPolezzi I totally agree! And I also think this collaborative aspect is very underestimated in the market. Thank you for the feedback.
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@KevinW I totally agree that a translator that gets into a field by studying it through his own research, internet helps a lot, you can find a great deal of scientific and valid material,is a great solution. How could I disagree since this is my profession! :)
Though, I do not think that finding a specialized translator is so hard.
Also, I really believe... -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Interesting it is the example of Elizabeth, as with caligraphy let's say, it is very clear that very few people that were highly educated could translate texts and books in the past... if I get it right!
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Well, as I understand it, at least in modern world, interpreters are close to diplomats or high-ranked polititians rather than translators. Maybe in their shadow, but I guess they get to fly with the government airplanes!
"Celebrity" translators are very few and publications make them famous and also the writers they translate.
But most everyday translators... -
You should have knowlegde, understanding of concepts or the background to understand them during your translation and research process, yes.
"Perfectly" as you state it, definitely not. In most cases this is quite impossible.
Any kind of knowledge helps! And you gain knowledge in the process. Translators are life-long learners :) -
@OlimpiaGuitto wow, hadn't thought of that! Having a native read it to you, this is great! Reminds me of audiobooks...can happen!
I was actually talking about getting involved and study this language in order to enjoy reading. For example, I know people who learnt Russian to read Russian classics, engineers that had to learn German to be able to study... -
@RikiTherivel my thought exactly!
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@IsabelvonSassen thanks for your comment, I was not reffering to a translation into English, could be from > to any language. I was just describing the meaning in simple words. Of course it should sound good to the target language.
Though, if your source language and culture meant coffe like in the example, standing up for 5min, you must consider how you... -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
I'm thinking about this translation example, the translator could overcome this by passing over the meaning "let's go and talk a bit", without mentioning (omitting) the ambiguous word "coffee"... What do you think?
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
That was fun! Here in Greece,"let's go for a coffee" means at least 1h, could be 2-3h, catching up, sitting comfortably in a coffee shop, where you might not order coffee but tea or similar drink!
Also, "frape" coffee most people drink is a unique invention where coffee and cold water (with sugar or not) is shaken and then ice cubes are added (yes, even in... -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Couldn't this interesting example have much to do with translating slang or other "language codes" used by a certain group of people, i.e. of a certain age group or cultural backgrounds or goals?
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Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Oh, how interesting that you pointed out the cultural differences not only in space (geographically speaking) but also in time!
Translating from ancient or "dead" as called languages is a real challenge! -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
I think everyone in the profession knows that fiction, for example, can never give the reader exactly the same escense, feel, emotion, deep meaning or beauty of literature (art of language) when it is not read in the original language!
Though marvelous translations are out there and have given us the chance to meet writers and their creations from all over... -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Well, I guess neutrality is much harder for interpreters, since they are really next or facing the person they interpret.. Sometimes it can get emotional. Nice video.
I, as a technical translator, face a much more limited "risk" of losing neutrality, so it was interesting hearing and reading about that aspect so lively. -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Translation for me, I think, is what the Greek etymology means. This is "μετάφραση" or "metaphrasi" which means carrying/moving on phrases, but I sense that a meaning of mild transformation is also contained in this etymology and the process itself.
It is indeed about "carrying on" to other receivers, spreading the word, offering information, sharing art... -
Sotiria Orfanidou made a comment
Thank you very much for this course! It was an enriched course with so much of everything, theory, practice, texts, videos, action, suggestions that can be all put into practice immediately! All those many different forms of presentation made it really interesting and there was a very large volume of useful information provided. Extremely helpful for teachers...