| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: "Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism" Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question ""Translators are perfectionists and don't easily handle criticism"".
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I hate generalizations and stereotypical thinking in general. So, I’ll speak only for myself: I tend to be a perfectionist, but I’m far from perfect. I admit I don’t handle criticism well, unless it's deserved, in which case I hasten to apologise and correct the mistake…
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Indeed. Some people can't handle any form of criticism; their pride is at stake, they take it personally, as an affront, obviously not realising that it could perhaps help them improve (even further!) their understanding of a language or whatever, and perhaps even be grateful.
But it's only a site for helping (soon-to-be-replaced) human translators find translations.
But perfection is something very different. (The mods might move this to less-frequently-visited place - it's... See more Indeed. Some people can't handle any form of criticism; their pride is at stake, they take it personally, as an affront, obviously not realising that it could perhaps help them improve (even further!) their understanding of a language or whatever, and perhaps even be grateful.
But it's only a site for helping (soon-to-be-replaced) human translators find translations.
But perfection is something very different. (The mods might move this to less-frequently-visited place - it's been happening a lot lately.)
I wish us well. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | How long this time? | Jul 17 |
When should I expect my post to be vetted/approved?
My last one (concerning a smoothie recipe) took two(!) days.
Why all this screening/censorship? Am I dangerous?
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Any generalisation of this type is false.
| | | | Iulia Parvu 
Romania
Local time: 00:48
Member (2022)
English to Romanian
+ ...
I handle criticism well by promptly addressing any mistakes I might have made. However, I must admit that having my errors pointed out feels like a knife to the heart. This is because I am very hard on myself, a trait stemming from a combination of perfectionism and ADHD.
| | | | | Impossible to generalise | Jul 17 |
I think it's impossible to generalise about translators' personalities and I wish people wouldn't do it.
I do think that the feedback process is made harder by the situation most of us work in. We don't usually have the opportunity to build up a face-to-face working relationship with the person providing feedback, so it's easy to take it personally or negatively. It also often comes with the (real or perceived) threat of penalties attached to it, which doesn't help.
Hel... See more I think it's impossible to generalise about translators' personalities and I wish people wouldn't do it.
I do think that the feedback process is made harder by the situation most of us work in. We don't usually have the opportunity to build up a face-to-face working relationship with the person providing feedback, so it's easy to take it personally or negatively. It also often comes with the (real or perceived) threat of penalties attached to it, which doesn't help.
Helpful, sensitively delivered feedback as part of a trusted and supportive working relationship is a wonderful thing and it's a shame that's not the norm for many. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Good translators are perfectionists, but they are first and foremost professionals | Jul 17 |
While perfectionism may theoretically be a synonym for translating, its obsession with selecting the best term or expression to suit a context, a line of reasoning or a description, is and must be motivated by or applied to "external" strategic dimensions. Without them, translation needs wouldn’t exist...
What I mean is that translation skills and know-how don't exist if you haven't mastered the principles and values of the client, its culture, expectations and objectives.
B... See more While perfectionism may theoretically be a synonym for translating, its obsession with selecting the best term or expression to suit a context, a line of reasoning or a description, is and must be motivated by or applied to "external" strategic dimensions. Without them, translation needs wouldn’t exist...
What I mean is that translation skills and know-how don't exist if you haven't mastered the principles and values of the client, its culture, expectations and objectives.
Being able to act and constantly stimulate this knowledge around the end-customer's issues enables the translator to provide a value-added service, resulting in the best possible translation.
[Edited at 2024-07-17 08:18 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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I feel a bit of a perfectionist, but in terms of somebody who does her best to deliver a high quality work.
Does this give the term a negative connotation at this point? I hope not.
I welcome constructive criticism because I believe there's always room for improvement.
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Philip Lees wrote:
Any generalisation of this type is false.
I see what you did there
Much like the well-known conundrum 'how tolerant should we be of intolerance', one wonders how effectively one can criticise generalisations without generalising....
| | | | | The ideal is to be a perfectionist AND humble when criticised | Jul 17 |
Taking advice from others, even when they criticise, is the way to improve.
One of the early colleagues who really taught me a lot was a very humble person. He took criticism graciously - unless people went on too long and wasted his time! He was a great teacher, and knew a lot about almost anything.
He was definitely a perfectionist too, and a great self-critic. He explained that you should listen to critics - they might have a point, but you need not always do as the... See more Taking advice from others, even when they criticise, is the way to improve.
One of the early colleagues who really taught me a lot was a very humble person. He took criticism graciously - unless people went on too long and wasted his time! He was a great teacher, and knew a lot about almost anything.
He was definitely a perfectionist too, and a great self-critic. He explained that you should listen to critics - they might have a point, but you need not always do as they say!
Wise words.
I can remember several others when I think back. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 23:48
French to English
I'd rather generalise saying "Good translators are perfectionists"
As a PM I found that very few translators would take any criticism well. It kind of goes hand in hand with the perfectionism. I'm a perfectionist therefore my work is perfect.
One sworn translator refused to reprint and stamp his translation with my corrections. He actually told me his work was perfect and slammed the phone down on me when... See more I'd rather generalise saying "Good translators are perfectionists"
As a PM I found that very few translators would take any criticism well. It kind of goes hand in hand with the perfectionism. I'm a perfectionist therefore my work is perfect.
One sworn translator refused to reprint and stamp his translation with my corrections. He actually told me his work was perfect and slammed the phone down on me when I pointed out that the word "not" was missing in one of his sentences.
I have learned to take criticism graciously, it was a hard bitter pill to swallow. Sweetened by the fact that very often the criticism turns out not to be justified. ▲ Collapse
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Liena Vijupe
Latvia
Local time: 00:48
Member (2014)
French to Latvian
+ ...
I don't like such generalisations either. Translators may be more prone to it due to the nature of our work, but it is a common personality trait and not specific to any profession.
I like to think I handle criticism well because I rarely am offended by it and gladly accept anything I find useful, but I do become irritated if I find it irrelevant or have to explain something that seems obvious to me. Still, mostly because it feels like a waste of time and/or may have unfortunate con... See more I don't like such generalisations either. Translators may be more prone to it due to the nature of our work, but it is a common personality trait and not specific to any profession.
I like to think I handle criticism well because I rarely am offended by it and gladly accept anything I find useful, but I do become irritated if I find it irrelevant or have to explain something that seems obvious to me. Still, mostly because it feels like a waste of time and/or may have unfortunate consequences for me, otherwise I usually follow the rule "what other people think of me is none of my business" (unless it is, of course). ▲ Collapse
| | | | | not necessarily incompatible | Jul 17 |
Kay Denney wrote:
I'm a perfectionist therefore my work is perfect.
Nicely put.
I've never minded valid criticism. I used to find non-native "corrections" particularly frustrating, but now I say my piece once and leave it at that. Le client est roi.
I think a thing can be both perfect (with the proviso that very little truly is) and not right. I might paint a wall perfectly, but if it's magnolia and it turns out the client really wanted beige, well... a "perfect" thing can still be open to criticism in some ways, I think
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Charlie Bavington wrote: Philip Lees wrote:
Any generalisation of this type is false. I see what you did there Much like the well-known conundrum 'how tolerant should we be of intolerance', one wonders how effectively one can criticise generalisations without generalising....
Yes, well spotted. A few people sniffed around it, but nobody took the bait.
Well, I did live in Crete for many years.
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