Pages in topic:   [1 2] >
Poll: Do you have a linguistic background?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Mar 21, 2018

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you have a linguistic background?".

This poll was originally submitted by Elisa Bianco. View the poll results »



 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 02:47
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other: Not sure what this means Mar 21, 2018

1. Does this mean a family background in languages? Or maybe residence in a foreign country? Would it count that, while I am a native English speaker, my husband and I spoke Portuguese only at home? Or that I lived in Mexico for 2 years?

2. Or is this referring to studies in linguistics? Yes, I have two graduate degrees in linguistics.

[Edited at 2018-03-22 07:51 GMT]


 
B D Finch
B D Finch  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 10:47
French to English
+ ...
What on earth does that mean? Mar 21, 2018

What the heck is a "linguistic background"?

 
Angus Stewart
Angus Stewart  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:47
Member (2011)
French to English
+ ...
No Mar 21, 2018

I understood the question as meaning was my career, prior to becoming a translator, in an area related to linguistics. From that perspective the answer is no, since my previous career was in law.

However, I do have a family background in languages, in respect that my Mother studied French and German at University and was able to help out when I was learning French at school.


 
Christopher Schröder
Christopher Schröder
United Kingdom
Member (2011)
Swedish to English
+ ...
No Mar 21, 2018

We did not speak at all in my family until I became a translator

 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 10:47
Spanish to English
+ ...
Yes Mar 21, 2018

As I see it, my linguistic background refers to my education in general. I was always better at languages than anything else and I enjoy doing things I'm good at, but can find things I'm less capable of rather frustrating. I started studying French in primary school and then in secondary did French, German and Russian. I later went on to do a degree in modern languages (Russ/Fr), with one half-class "filler" component of basic Spanish in my final year. I eventually went to Spain where I worked i... See more
As I see it, my linguistic background refers to my education in general. I was always better at languages than anything else and I enjoy doing things I'm good at, but can find things I'm less capable of rather frustrating. I started studying French in primary school and then in secondary did French, German and Russian. I later went on to do a degree in modern languages (Russ/Fr), with one half-class "filler" component of basic Spanish in my final year. I eventually went to Spain where I worked in TEFL for several years before ending up translating full-time.
My mother had studied German and French at school and sometimes used the odd phrase, for example swearing in German; I also remember my parents occasionally saying "pas devant l'enfant" and things like that, but by the age of ten I already knew what that meant...
Collapse


 
Gianluca Marras
Gianluca Marras  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 10:47
English to Italian
Yes Mar 21, 2018

I guess the question refers to our studies...
Well I have a degree in Foreign Languages.


 
Sarada Davis
Sarada Davis  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 05:47
Spanish to English
Creating my own linguistic background Mar 21, 2018

In my opinion, I am creating my own linguistic background. Growing up, I had no linguistic background whatsoever, but I am completing a major in Spanish/hispanic studies and am currently studying in Alicante, Spain.

 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 09:47
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
No Mar 21, 2018

(whatever the meaning, be it related to language or related to linguistics). I grew up in a mono-language family. My mother has a degree in Romanic languages and speaks a reasonable French, my father spoke Italian and French quite well and Kabuverdianu fluently (a Portuguese-based creole, his native language), but those languages were very rarely spoken at home except for one or two proverbs my father used to say, like “Piano piano se va lontano” and “Acqua passata non macina più”. I st... See more
(whatever the meaning, be it related to language or related to linguistics). I grew up in a mono-language family. My mother has a degree in Romanic languages and speaks a reasonable French, my father spoke Italian and French quite well and Kabuverdianu fluently (a Portuguese-based creole, his native language), but those languages were very rarely spoken at home except for one or two proverbs my father used to say, like “Piano piano se va lontano” and “Acqua passata non macina più”. I started studying French in the kindergarten and I was very good at languages so much so that before going to university I did hesitate between modern languages and economics…Collapse


 
Terry Richards
Terry Richards
France
Local time: 10:47
French to English
+ ...
This is why we need a Like button Mar 21, 2018

Chris S wrote:

We did not speak at all in my family until I became a translator


 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 10:47
French to English
er.... Mar 21, 2018

Glad to see I'm not the only one baffled at this question.

I grew up in a totally monolingual and monocultural environment and only since have devoted my life to broadening my horizons.

I only went to uni after working for 15 years as a translator, and gained my masters on the strength of my professional experience so that disqualifies me if background is supposed to mean education.

I've worked in language-related jobs all my life, but my current career
... See more
Glad to see I'm not the only one baffled at this question.

I grew up in a totally monolingual and monocultural environment and only since have devoted my life to broadening my horizons.

I only went to uni after working for 15 years as a translator, and gained my masters on the strength of my professional experience so that disqualifies me if background is supposed to mean education.

I've worked in language-related jobs all my life, but my current career is more foreground than background!
Collapse


 
Jasa Pipan
Jasa Pipan
Slovenia
Local time: 10:47
French to Slovenian
+ ...
Yes Mar 21, 2018

I have a Bachelor's degree in Intercultural mediation - that's what Translation studies were renamed to at our university after the Bologna system came to European universities ...

 
Sheila Wilson
Sheila Wilson  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 09:47
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
Does the last 20 years of experience count? Mar 21, 2018

I studied languages at school, and in the case of French that meant between the ages of 8 and 18 (not that I ended up anything like fluent). But I didn't go to university so perhaps I don't have a "background" in anything. Questions like this always fox me, so I suppose I'm no linguist .

 
Parrot
Parrot  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 10:47
Spanish to English
+ ...
Yes? Mar 21, 2018

Because by this time I simply have to have one? (Since 1986 thereabouts...)

 
Nadia Silva Castro
Nadia Silva Castro
United States
English to German
+ ...
Yes!! Mar 21, 2018

Terry Richards wrote:

Chris S wrote:

We did not speak at all in my family until I became a translator


I was thinking the same!!


 
Pages in topic:   [1 2] >


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: Do you have a linguistic background?






Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »
Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »