IT for a translator Thread poster: Amlaku Eshetie
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Amlaku Eshetie
United States
Local time: 12:16
English to Amharic
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I am currently translating a document that includes mobile SMS texts which are typically full of several abbreviations or slang expressions. Oh, I am so thankful for the Internet technology which puts every resource at the tip of our fingers. Blessing to be a translator in this era of IT!
| | | | Jack Doughty 
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:16
Russian to English
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In memoriam
- glad to be living in this age. Your last line inspired me to write the following.
Translator in This Era of IT
I’ve worked as a translator now for fifty years or more,
And the way we used to do things, it was such a rotten chore.
I’d bang at my typewriter and it wouldn’t all be right,
So then I’d type corrections after using Tippex White.
(Chorus)
You may have problems nowadays, but take a tip from me.
It’s a blessi... See more - glad to be living in this age. Your last line inspired me to write the following.
Translator in This Era of IT
I’ve worked as a translator now for fifty years or more,
And the way we used to do things, it was such a rotten chore.
I’d bang at my typewriter and it wouldn’t all be right,
So then I’d type corrections after using Tippex White.
(Chorus)
You may have problems nowadays, but take a tip from me.
It’s a blessing to be a translator in this era of IT!
You didn’t have a copier, those big expensive toys
Were only for big businesses, and made a lot of noise.
You could only make a copy then by using carbon paper.
And fiddling round with that could be a most frustrating caper.
(Chorus)
There was no such thing as email, it was all done through the post.
I don’t know if the cost or the delay displeased me most.
You could only contact customers by letter or by phone,
And your phone could never tell you any number but your own.
(Chorus)
We didn’t have computers, there was no such thing as Word.
Correct on screen before you print? Oh, don’t be so absurd!
There were no translation memories and no such thing as CATs,
Unless you mean the animals that chase off mice and rats.
(Chorus)
There wasn’t any Google then, you handled your research
By buying dictionaries, which could leave you in the lurch,
Or phoning experts in the field who might help or might not,
So then you’d have to guess and hope it wasn’t total rot.
(Chorus)
So when you find on screen that money’s paid into your bank
Just think of how it used to be, and murmur “Gott sei Dank!”
That you are now translating in this easy modern age
With everything upon the screen and not upon the page.
(Chorus)
[Edited at 2017-12-27 12:04 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Amlaku Eshetie
United States
Local time: 12:16
English to Amharic
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TOPIC STARTER | Glad that it inspired you! | Dec 26, 2017 |
Dear Jack,
I am pleased that my post inspired you to write this wonderful piece of poem that vividly describes the evolution and difficulties of the translation profession.
I also shared the same on LinkedIn and would you please go there and post your poem as a comment? Her... See more Dear Jack,
I am pleased that my post inspired you to write this wonderful piece of poem that vividly describes the evolution and difficulties of the translation profession.
I also shared the same on LinkedIn and would you please go there and post your poem as a comment? Here is the link: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6351317881397002240/
Thank you so much!
Amlaku ▲ Collapse
| | | | Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:16
Russian to English
+ ...
In memoriam
I don't want to get involved with LinkedIn myself, but you are welcome to post the poem there if you like.
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Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:16
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| The curfew tolls the knell of parting day | Dec 27, 2017 |
Thanks Jack. Great work with the iambic pentameters!
However your very first line doesn't scan properly and contains a typo. So here's my suggested better version:
I’ve worked as a translator, oh, for fifty years or more,.......
[Edited at 2017-12-27 10:21 GMT]
| | | | Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:16
Russian to English
+ ...
In memoriam
Thanks for your help, I've rewritten the first line largely as you suggested.
"Are" was a typo anyway, it should have been "or".
| | | | Amlaku Eshetie
United States
Local time: 12:16
English to Amharic
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Jack Doughty wrote:
I don't want to get involved with LinkedIn myself, but you are welcome to post the poem there if you like.
OK, I will. Thank you so much for granting me your permission to do so.
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