| Страниц в теме: < [1 2 3] > | Poll: Are you planning to leave the language services industry? Автор темы: ProZ.com Staff
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Thayenga 
Германия
Local time: 23:30
Член ProZ.com c 2009
английский => немецкий
+ ...
...when they carry me out of my office, feet first. 
I go by the mantra, once a translator, always a translator, and an active one, too.
| | | | Christine Andersen
Дания
Local time: 23:30
Член ProZ.com c 2003
датский => английский
+ ...
| Old translators don´t die ... | Feb 27 |
They move into the Tower of Babel! I wish I could say I was going to carry on indefinitely, but one way or another, well past retiring age, I know I am going to stop sooner rather than later. I don´t know exactly when.
It is not all doom and gloom. I have just made out the month´s invoices, and it has been one of the best months in a while. However, I don´t invoice a new client every month as I used to, and one former regular has not sent anything in February. Still, they have pa... See more They move into the Tower of Babel! I wish I could say I was going to carry on indefinitely, but one way or another, well past retiring age, I know I am going to stop sooner rather than later. I don´t know exactly when.
It is not all doom and gloom. I have just made out the month´s invoices, and it has been one of the best months in a while. However, I don´t invoice a new client every month as I used to, and one former regular has not sent anything in February. Still, they have paid an earlier invoice and they will be back!
If I were younger, I would really work at using AI and explaining to clients what it is good for and what it is not, just to stay in languages and freelancing. There will always be a need for it one way or another. So good luck to those who are soldiering on - and I hope you are generally appreciated as you deserve to be before long!
[Edited at 2025-02-27 18:00 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Dan Lucas
Великобритания
Local time: 22:30
Член ProZ.com c 2014
японский => английский
| And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by | Feb 27 |
Philippe Etienne wrote:
Anyway, before I change paths, I will finish my wooden ship model I started in 2014. That will be soothing.
Which ship?
Dan
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I did at one point think it might be best to leave and do something else entirely, but at the end of the day I just love working with languages too much to not be a translator. What I will eventually have to do is to diversify my income sources, but that can wait, at least for now.
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Philippe Etienne
Испания
Local time: 23:30
Член ProZ.com
английский => французский
| OT: Tan tan tan tatatan tan tatatan tan tatata | Feb 27 |
Dan Lucas wrote:
Which ship?
The Black Pearl (Pirates of the Caribbean), from a series of magazines received over a 2-year period. As for why, it's a long story. She's about 80 cm long by 80 cm high in wood, cotton and metal, all AI-free.
I hoped to finish her before my descent left the nest, but time flies... My latest go was 4 years ago, and I'm reluctant to start the most daunting part: very intricate rigging. Though it may help reflect on putting my act together for a potential new start!
Tiens bon la vague et tiens bon le vent, hissez haut!
Philippe
| | | | Dan Lucas
Великобритания
Local time: 22:30
Член ProZ.com c 2014
японский => английский
Philippe Etienne wrote:
I'm reluctant to start the most daunting part: very intricate rigging.
For me the daunting part would have been when I opened the package.
Congratulations on getting this far, and, er, bon chance with the rope work.
Dan
| | | | Kay Denney
Франция
Local time: 23:30
французский => английский
Philippe Etienne wrote:
Doom is approaching!
February being a good month after two low months ...
Anyway, before I change paths, I will finish my wooden ship model I started in 2014. That will be soothing.
Philippe
I could say almost the same, although my wooden ship is actually a set of curtains I promised to make for my daughter.
I promised to do them because work prospects were looking bleak, after a huge project was cancelled because of Trump/Musk slashing budgets. But then because the project would save lives, it went ahead anyway.
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But I am also over normal retirement age, so I'll just hang on - and still loving it.
However, I think the question is VERY relevant, I know many younger freelance colleagues who have given up recently, so why not be realistic.
It's not the fault of Proz.com
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expressisverbis
Португалия
Local time: 22:30
Член ProZ.com c 2015
английский => португальский
+ ...
| Ages and retirements: it's a challenge for translators at every stage | Feb 27 |
Yetta Jensen Bogarde wrote:
But I am also over normal retirement age, so I'll just hang on - and still loving it.
However, I think the question is VERY relevant, I know many younger freelance colleagues who have given up recently, so why not be realistic.
It's not the fault of Proz.com
I agree that younger freelancers are facing challenges, but what about experienced professionals in their 40s or 50s who have spent years building their careers?
Many of them are also being pushed out due to declining rates, AI, and market saturation. It’s not just a ‘young translator’ problem; it affects everyone who depends on this industry to make a living.
I believe it's a challenge for translators at every stage.
The situation is already tough enough for many of us. Do we really need to be bombarded with this topic almost every day?
Instead of constantly focusing on the negatives, maybe we should have more discussions about solutions, strategies, or success stories that could help professionals of all ages.
And no, it’s not Proz's fault… no one said that.
[Edited at 2025-02-27 20:44 GMT]
[Edited at 2025-02-27 20:48 GMT]
| | | | Wilsonn Perez Reyes
Сальвадор
Local time: 16:30
Член ProZ.com c 2007
английский => испанский
+ ...
| It also depends on where you live, Sandra (now aka expressisverbis)... | Feb 27 |
expressisverbis wrote:
Yetta Jensen Bogarde wrote:
But I am also over normal retirement age, so I'll just hang on - and still loving it.
However, I think the question is VERY relevant, I know many younger freelance colleagues who have given up recently, so why not be realistic.
It's not the fault of Proz.com
I agree that younger freelancers are facing challenges, but what about experienced professionals in their 40s or 50s who have spent years building their careers?
Many of them are also being pushed out due to declining rates, AI, and market saturation. It’s not just a ‘young translator’ problem; it affects everyone who depends on this industry to make a living.
I believe it's a challenge for translators at every stage.
The situation is already tough enough for many of us. Do we really need to be bombarded with this topic almost every day?
Instead of constantly focusing on the negatives, maybe we should have more discussions about solutions, strategies, or success stories that could help professionals of all ages.
And no, it’s not Proz's fault… no one said that. [Edited at 2025-02-27 20:44 GMT] [Edited at 2025-02-27 20:48 GMT]
At least in Belgium, everything seems to be OK:
"... if the day comes I can no longer survive as a translator, I will be happy to do whatever other kind of work. In Belgium several industries are in permanent great need of workers".
Lieven Malaise - January 20, 2023
https://www.proz.com/forum/money_matters/360713-dont_offer_reductions_for_post_editing.html
I am not really sure if a Salvadoran can say the same thing about Salvadoran industries.
| | | | Lieven Malaise
Бельгия
Local time: 23:30
Член ProZ.com c 2020
французский => голландский
+ ...
| Cleaning and elderly care | Feb 27 |
Wilsonn Perez Reyes wrote:
At least in Belgium, everything seems to be OK:
"... if the day comes I can no longer survive as a translator, I will be happy to do whatever other kind of work. In Belgium several industries are in permanent great need of workers".
Lieven Malaise - January 20, 2023
https://www.proz.com/forum/money_matters/360713-dont_offer_reductions_for_post_editing.html
I am not really sure if a Salvadoran can say the same thing about Salvadoran industries.
I was talking about the cleaning and the elderly care industry. Work guaranteed in Belgium, although the wage will be rather close to the minimum one. Are you willing to take on that type of jobs? I am. I would consider it refreshing because basically the opposite of what I do now. I also would be working in people's homes, so no bossing around by some manager. And on top of that: I would be able to choose how many hours a week I would like to work, which is kind of handy if I would still be a translator parttime.
Have a nice evening.
[Bijgewerkt op 2025-02-27 23:07 GMT]
| | | | Wilsonn Perez Reyes
Сальвадор
Local time: 16:30
Член ProZ.com c 2007
английский => испанский
+ ...
| Thank you, Lieven... | Feb 27 |
Lieven Malaise wrote:
Wilsonn Perez Reyes wrote:
At least in Belgium, everything seems to be OK:
"... if the day comes I can no longer survive as a translator, I will be happy to do whatever other kind of work. In Belgium several industries are in permanent great need of workers".
Lieven Malaise - January 20, 2023
https://www.proz.com/forum/money_matters/360713-dont_offer_reductions_for_post_editing.html
I am not really sure if a Salvadoran can say the same thing about Salvadoran industries.
I was talking about the cleaning and the elderly care industry. Work guaranteed in Belgium, although the wage will be rather close to the minimum one. Are you willing to take on that type of jobs? I am. I would consider it refreshing because basically the opposite of what I do now. I also would be working in people's homes, so no bossing around by some manager. And on top of that: I would be able to choose how many hours a week I would like to work, which is kind of handy if I would still be a translator parttime.
Have a nice evening. [Bijgewerkt op 2025-02-27 23:07 GMT]
In the Spanish forum I quoted what you said about Belgium and Sandra asked incredulously:
"¿En serio?" = Really?
and added:
"El ejemplo que pones de un colega belga no es un ejemplo que sirva de general, y mucho menos de consuelo". = The example you give of a Belgian colleague is not an example that serves as a general one, much less as a consolation. (December 18, 2023)
https://www.proz.com/forum/translation_in_spain_la_traducción_en_españa/365038-bajada_de_las_tarifas_en_el_sector_y_algunas_reflexiones.html#3022898
I will be harshly criticized for this (thumbs down for me, I know), but I say it anyway: As a consolation, you live in rich Europe (= the rich part of Europe). Thank God/good luck for that. An ordinary Salvadoran citizen/translator is not in the same position, naturally.
[Editado a las 2025-02-28 01:37 GMT]
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Dan Lucas
Великобритания
Local time: 22:30
Член ProZ.com c 2014
японский => английский
| There is always somebody better/worse off than yourself | Feb 28 |
Wilsonn Perez Reyes wrote:
I will be harshly criticized for this (thumbs down for me, I know), but I say it anyway: As a consolation, you live in rich Europe (= the rich part of Europe). Thank God/good luck for that. An ordinary Salvadoran citizen/translator is not in the same position, naturally.
As a consolation, you live in El Salvador, which has a GDP per capita much higher than most nations in Africa and the Middle East, and indeed many of those of Asia. Thank goodness for that, eh?
I try not to compare my financial situation to that of other people or households.
Nothing good comes of it.
Dan
| | | | expressisverbis
Португалия
Local time: 22:30
Член ProZ.com c 2015
английский => португальский
+ ...
| Not sure what your point is... | Feb 28 |
Wilsonn Perez Reyes wrote:
It also depends on where you live, Sandra (now aka expressisverbis)...
In the Spanish forum I quoted what you said about Belgium and Sandra asked incredulously:
"¿En serio?" = Really?
and added:
"El ejemplo que pones de un colega belga no es un ejemplo que sirva de general, y mucho menos de consuelo". = The example you give of a Belgian colleague is not an example that serves as a general one, much less as a consolation. (December 18, 2023)
https://www.proz.com/forum/translation_in_spain_la_traducción_en_españa/365038-bajada_de_las_tarifas_en_el_sector_y_algunas_reflexiones.html#3022898
I will be harshly criticized for this (thumbs down for me, I know), but I say it anyway: As a consolation, you live in rich Europe (= the rich part of Europe). Thank God/good luck for that. An ordinary Salvadoran citizen/translator is not in the same position, naturally. [Editado a las 2025-02-28 01:37 GMT]
The whole “now aka expressisverbis” thing is weird. Are you trying to imply that I am a new member here or my nickname is new?
I think this a pointless remark about my username and/or real name, and it doesn’t seem relevant to the discussion.
And pulling up an old post from 2023? I don't get it... I don't have time or interest in tracking members or old posts, but what I meant in that time was that bad experiences are no consolation to us.
Other people's misfortune (or fortune) is no consolation. Each case is unique.
Not sure what your point is, but if it's people in Europe have it easy, you might want to check your facts before making assumptions.
Living in Europe doesn’t mean things are easy, and financial struggles exist everywhere.
The industry challenges we’re discussing affect translators worldwide, regardless of geography. But if you prefer simplistic generalizations, go ahead!
[Edited at 2025-02-28 09:34 GMT]
| | | | Gerard Barry
Германия
Local time: 23:30
немецкий => английский
After my most recent in-house position ended a few months ago (it was a two-year contract), I applied for jobs both as a translator and in completely unrelated fields. I wasn't able to find any position as a translator so in around three weeks time I'll be starting a "blue collar" job so to speak. I'm nervous because the work will be completely new to me but I'm also excited and curious to try something new. In my new job I'll be interacting a lot with people and will be working in a very busy, ... See more After my most recent in-house position ended a few months ago (it was a two-year contract), I applied for jobs both as a translator and in completely unrelated fields. I wasn't able to find any position as a translator so in around three weeks time I'll be starting a "blue collar" job so to speak. I'm nervous because the work will be completely new to me but I'm also excited and curious to try something new. In my new job I'll be interacting a lot with people and will be working in a very busy, dynamic environment. Will I work as a translator ever again? Who knows? It all depends on whether I like the new job and whether I can find a job as a translator again. The truth of the matter is I never really liked working as a translator because I found the work so dry and lonely. My last job in particular was a nightmare because of the unfriendly, toxic working atmosphere. ▲ Collapse
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