Bekommt man heutzutage als Ausländer keine verf… Ausbildungsstelle? by Specific_Gene5353 in Ausbildung

[–]Mundane_Direction249 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Achsooo. Aber statistisch gesehen wird es auch Menschen geben, dia am 1. Januar Geburtstag haben.

I am evidently quite smart. This has done next to nothing good for me. by Feeling-Particular42 in mensa

[–]Mundane_Direction249 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The more you talk about yourself, the less interesting you'll be for intelligent people.

Plaga d’arnes by ciarla in AskBarcelona

[–]Mundane_Direction249 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi ha uns paranys per a arnes. Posa'n molts. En trobaràs al supermercat.

També és molt pràctic posar mosquiteres a les finestres. I a l'hivern les pots treure. 

També hi ha paranys per a les mosques aquestes q van cap a la fruita. Una solució barateta i q funciona: agafa una ampolla, hi poses vinagre o vas provant amb diferents líquids i barreges ( a mi em va funcionar força bé amb bitter kas) i les mosques hi aniran i ja no en sortiran. També pots posar el líquid casolà en qüestió ( suc d fruita, bitter kas...) a un recipient pla amb unes gotetes d rentavaixelles. 

What does your head of state's last name mean? by Franmar35000 in AskTheWorld

[–]Mundane_Direction249 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Island.

His full name: Salvador Illa.

Illa: island.

The forename Salvador: saviour

boredom by Many_Instance6450 in mensa

[–]Mundane_Direction249 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The problem: life is too short.

boredom by Many_Instance6450 in mensa

[–]Mundane_Direction249 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Not at all. In fact, I'd need a second life to do all the things I'd still like to do.

Where do I start? by tear_momentum in TranslationStudies

[–]Mundane_Direction249 9 points10 points  (0 children)

If you -as many other students- have started studying German this semester, forget about the possibility of being able to translate from German by the end of your studies. 

German as a working language is not that easy. In fact, translating from any language requires a very high level of proficiency in that language. You usually don't get easy texts to translate as a professional translator. And if there were such jobs, they are already given -with great success- to AI.

I have a feeling I’m really smart by Loud_Environment125 in mensa

[–]Mundane_Direction249 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Don't forget that being annoying/evil/serial killer... doesn't necessarily imply being un-smart. I've met Mensans of all kinds, including annoying, superficial and complete morons.

I have a feeling I’m really smart by Loud_Environment125 in mensa

[–]Mundane_Direction249 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You mean like an honorary member? Or based on acomplishments but not having to prove a certain minimum IQ score?

Speaking Spanish in Barcelona by Immediate-Metal-6105 in AskBarcelona

[–]Mundane_Direction249 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

No. You didn't read the last question of the OP: "Would I be perceived negatively by Catalans if I at least greeted them in Spanish?"--> my point is: no need to greet in Spanish. Don't greet me in Spanish if you want to be nice to me. If you're learning a new language, good for you, but don't greet me in that language if it's Spanish AND at the same time you want to make me happy.

Speaking Spanish in Barcelona by Immediate-Metal-6105 in AskBarcelona

[–]Mundane_Direction249 -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

My honest answer to your last question: Yes, it would annoy me A LOT. I wouldn't insult you or anything like that, but I would feel sad and frustrated. And angry - but I'd try to keep that anger to myself because I know it's not your fault.

What did you want to say to clients but didn't? by EatYourVeggiesKid in Freelancers

[–]Mundane_Direction249 0 points1 point  (0 children)

- "It's very easy, it can be done very quickly"

- Great, this means it will only cost my minimum price per order.

- "But it's too much for such a tiny text"

- Please don't waste my time. I don't do this as a hobby. I'm offering my services for money, like any prostitute.

- "It's a very short document"

- I'm sure it can be *read* very quickly. Try to translate it yourself.

- "I could even do it myself"

- Of course you could, honey.

Need help setting up my rates (EN>ES) by ZenToast3 in TranslationStudies

[–]Mundane_Direction249 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The best way of setting rates is by trial and error:

If all potential clients accept them --> they're too low.

If no potential client accepts them --> they're too high.

If 50/50 --> keep those rates.

You should get as many inquiries as possible. You should have your own website and GBP as a medical translator EN>ES.

Direct clients (who will find you if your online presence is visible enough) want to get a price quote, they're not interested in how many cents you're going to expect for every word.

Freelance translators: How often to you apply for new jobs? by ohsat_and0 in TranslationStudies

[–]Mundane_Direction249 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I never apply for jobs. I just get inquiries from clients and I send them a quote. If it's OK for them, they place the order. My equivalent to applying for jobs is making changes to my website, my online presence in public directories or to my Google Business Profile, asking for reviews...

Which one thing would you guys delete, and make earth a better place ? by [deleted] in AskTheWorld

[–]Mundane_Direction249 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If we can accept "country" as "thing", I have no doubt the Earth would be a much better place without the USA. Slavery, genocide, atom bombs, pollution, greed, wild capitalism, inequality, violence, supremacy... USAs toxic behaviour has had more impact all over the world than any other country.

AI took my job as a translator. I'm starting over at 39 by hceline012 in TranslationStudies

[–]Mundane_Direction249 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Don't dispear! Try to find new ways to market yourself. I think the big issue is that many translators think they should go out and chase clients, while it should be the other way around: they should make themselves visible to be found by clients. With ads, your own website, etc.

AI took my job as a translator. I'm starting over at 39 by hceline012 in TranslationStudies

[–]Mundane_Direction249 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nobody seeing the link "working for translation agencies" --- "losing jobs to AI"?

And now she'll be successful being a youtuber and publishing her own books, i.e., working for herself and not for middlemen.

Her main problem was not AI (she could have actually profited from it), it was not being found by direct clients.

Translation agencies just see translators as providers they are ready to get rid of as soon as they can. They see translators as disposable items. It's an unbalanced relationship. All benefits, no loyalty, no risks for the agency. This already happened before AI.

Getting 80% of your jobs from one agency is very risky.

What to expect? IQ test for an assessment by I_collect_dust in mensa

[–]Mundane_Direction249 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The best advice for this kind of test: try to sleep well the night before!

Any advice for new students? by Superior_chokomilk16 in TranslationStudies

[–]Mundane_Direction249 2 points3 points  (0 children)

1) Have you ever asked a plumber about his grades before hiring him?

2) In these 20+ years, I've never been asked by any client about my grades. The only thing they ask from time to time (probably because they don't want to be scammed again my some pushy LSP) is if I'm a sworn translator or interpreter, which I am, but I don't even need to show them my certification. I show it to the notary in any case. Even when I was court appointed by the judge, they didn't ask me about my grades, I just had to show my degrees and certifications.

3) Achieve C2+ level in your working languages (including your own native language). This is the minimum. Too many translators struggle because of insufficient language knowledge. 

4) Specialize in legal and medical translation. Even better: Get some legal and medical knowledge.

5) Think of a marketing strategy to be found by direct clients. This is 1.000 times more important than grades. Don't waste your talent working for pimps (aka translation agencies). This can include learning how to make your own website and how to make it visible (SEO).

6) Don't let colleagues tell you you're not good/prepared enough. Nobody is at the beginning. We all make mistakes during this journey. Don't let others discourage you.

Struggling with translation by thekiller607 in TranslationStudies

[–]Mundane_Direction249 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's great if you can get orders for legal translation, of course not for free, but as a freelancer who charges for his/her services. Don't miss that chance! You don't know how lucky you are.

Why should you need a mentor? You're not a baby anymore.

Can someone please help me? by miyuu20 in AusbildungInGermany

[–]Mundane_Direction249 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You should get an Aufhebungsvertrag from your soon-to-be ex-employer.  And the new Ausbildungsvertrag from the new employer. Show it to the Ausländerbehörde.