Poll: Do you think working as a translator has had a considerable impact on your reading speed? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you think working as a translator has had a considerable impact on your reading speed?".
This poll was originally submitted by Marcel Gomez. View the poll results »
| | | | Angus Stewart 
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:05
French to English
+ ...
I'm not entirely sure what the OP's aiming at with this poll: whether they mean reading speed in general or in our source languages in particular. If it is the latter, then the answer would be yes. Working as a translator keeps my fluency in my source languages bang up to date and I don't get the chance to get rusty, so I think that I can read source language texts considerably faster than if I was only dabbling occasionally for leisure purposes.
| | | |
I’m sure 40 years of professional practice has had a considerable impact on my reading speed, though probably more in my source languages than in my target language. Furthermore, when I worked in-house I learned how to speed read (one-day workshop) and some of the techniques I learned are useful to scan and skim documents…
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 16:05
Spanish to English
+ ...
Not really. I think there is a difference between reading for pleasure and the speedier type of skim/scan reading mainly deployed in translation, at least in my case. I also tend to peruse things like newspapers or online stuff differently from, say, the book I'm currently reading for entertainment.
| | |
|
|
|
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
I find the need to (1) get the idea for a provisional translation quickly, (2) to assess the complexity of a passage promptly to accept or reject that job, and (3) to proofread versions readily does improve my speed reading skills in my language pairs.
[Edited at 2018-07-18 11:38 GMT]
| | | | | Not sure about the speed, pretty positive about the quality | Jul 18, 2018 |
I'm not sure I'm reading more quickly, but the translation activity has sure helped my close reading skills. I'm probably reading much at the same speed as before, but quite more carefully, at least when needed. Of course, it all depends on the reading context.
Now, if only I could stop noticing all these small errors when I'm not translating… (I have to make an effort to leave them be!)
By the way, there is small e-book I recommend. Its title could make you chuckle, ... See more I'm not sure I'm reading more quickly, but the translation activity has sure helped my close reading skills. I'm probably reading much at the same speed as before, but quite more carefully, at least when needed. Of course, it all depends on the reading context.
Now, if only I could stop noticing all these small errors when I'm not translating… (I have to make an effort to leave them be!)
By the way, there is small e-book I recommend. Its title could make you chuckle, it's called:
How to Read a Paragraph (The Art of Close Reading)
PS: I remember reading a study which tracked the eye movement of an experienced reviewer versus the eyes of a good native speaker with subject-matter knowledge, and the difference was surprising. They reviewer's focus moved more slowly, but was more precise, with much less jumping around, and more errors spotted. I'll have to find it again sometime.
[Edited at 2018-07-18 13:14 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Richard Jenkins
Brazil
Local time: 12:05
Member (2006)
Portuguese to English
+ ...
My reading speed has improved immensely, but my eyesight has deteriorated considerably too over the years, so it all balances out in the end  .
[Edited at 2018-07-18 15:21 GMT]
| | | | Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
United States
Local time: 07:05
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Yes: it has slowed me down | Jul 22, 2018 |
I analyze sentences when I'm reading.
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: Do you think working as a translator has had a considerable impact on your reading speed? | 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 » |
| | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
