Why do translators feel underappreciated and how can this be changed?

ClaudiaBefu

I've worked as a freelance translator and editor for many years and now I lead a localization department in a larger company. In over a decade of experiencing the translation industry from different angles, I couldn't help notice how many translators, and professionals from the translation industry, feel underappreciated. I even took a break from translation for a couple of years, because of this reason. But than decided to come back, because I really love what I do.

So my question to you is: why do we feel this way? And how can this be changed?

Is it a question of money, of getting more recognition, of creating more awareness about the contribution of translation to society?

I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this. ?

guf

Dmitry

ClaudiaBefu It's a very interesting and a very complex topic, @ClaudiaBefu, so thanks for bringing it up.

The more I think about the more I believe that it's all about choices. Nobody forces people to become freelance translators, they chose to do it.

They chose it despite the fact that freelancing often means working twice as hard and sometimes without any result whatsoever. Building a business is definitely not a joy ride everyone thinks it is. This ride is full of roadblocks, bumps, dead ends and wrong turns.

You really need to know what you're doing so you could navigate this mess of a road. As a result only a few will get to the finish line where they'd feel like they accomplished something and have something to show for themselves (illustrious career, great clientele, high income). And even when you make it, the taste of success is often bittersweet.

eleonorang

I find psychology and all its related processes so fascinating, so this is definitely an interesting topic to me ?
It's hard to grasp the reasonS why each and every translator feels demotivated or underappreciated... There is a whole mix of personal reasons vs. professional reasons vs. society vs. family and so on and so forth. But you're right: among freelancers, translators look like the category most inclined to having the blues. No wonder nobody loves us. ?

Anyway, I think the two main reasons are:
1) We're invisible to society and everybody thinks they can do what we do

ClaudiaBefu Is it a question of money, of getting more recognition, of creating more awareness about the contribution of translation to society?

2) Loneliness. Piles of studies confirm loneliness is one of the biggest issues for humans nowadays, and our job is different from what most entrepreneurs do: they run shops/companies, they create and sell things, they need to leave their house for their job... people actually SEE them around. We're almost never to be seen. We can work in a random room of our house, even with little light, and we potentially never need to leave the house. We only get in touch with PMs and clients to provide services and we definitely don't engage enough in conversations that are not about the weather or the holidays ? How can we feel powerful and proud if no one is even there listening to us when we brag?

OK. I think I just described my problem LOL

ClaudiaBefu

A world without translators...
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Dmitry

There are, of course, a few other things worth mentioning, like the choices we make, the people we surround ourselves with, the way we treat our business, the clients we choose to work with.

I think there are many ways why some freelancers get the blues, and there's no single answer to that question. Every person has to figure out for themselves and fix what's broken.

ClaudiaBefu

Dmitry thanks Dmitry for writing this insightful post. Given how successful you became as a "simple" freelance translator, it's great to learn a bit more about what it takes to create a fulfilling career, no matter what you do in life.

Being on their own, as opposed to working for a monthly paycheck, is alluring to many people nowadays. But few understand the hard work that goes into making freelancing work.

The other day I heard a great interview with Seth Godin who strongly advocates for the solopreneur business model. He was saying: when you're on your own, you will always want to hire the cheapest available work force: yourself.

https://unemployable.com/podcast/solopreneur/

Perhaps, one of the reasons freelance translators feel underappreciated, is that they overwork themselves. So thinking about work-life balance would for sure bring more happiness and personal fulfillment.

ClaudiaBefu

Dmitry Another great point you make, is choosing your clients. Can you write a bit more about that?

I mean, most of the new freelance translators outhere would probably thinks twice about turning a new client down...

How do you choose your clients? Do you have any criteria?

ClaudiaBefu

Dmitry the way we treat our business

This is another great point. And it makes me think of a series of articles written by Sonja Simone: how to treat your business like a puppy dog.

https://www.remarkable-communication.com/dwdh/

Or maybe the other way around...

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ClaudiaBefu

Another question that I want to throw in this conversation: is translation as a service valued in our society? Or are all translators traitors? ?

Gif

I worked for some years as an interpreter. And I noticed a funny trend in long projects: at the beginning, people are thankful to have the chance to communicate with each other, even though they don't speak a common language. Towards the end of the project they get so used to the interpreter helping them out, that they start to see him as an obstacle in the conversation...

What is the image of the translator in the world?

Dmitry

ClaudiaBefu I think the emotional journey many of us go through is perfectly described in this picture

Teresa

This is a very interesting topic, @ClaudiaBefu. Being a translator is not easy in itself, even worse when you're doing it freelance. Being self-employed is a tough challenge, as you need to wear so many hats it's crazy. However, the idea is awesome, being your own boss, making your own decisions, working whenever and wherever you like, so many people are very optimistic when they start this journey, only to find out that reality is a bit more complicated than that. Myself included. ? So this is one problem, but on top of that there is also the state of the translation industry, which makes our job even more difficult. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of misinformation about translation, and a spread belief that anyone who speaks more than one language can translate.

alyonaxl8

The first question to ask yourself when you feel underappreciated is this: Why do I need approval from some random people?
To feel better, count your blessings and then brag about your accomplishments (or your general excellence) to your loved ones. They'll surely appreciate you more than anyone would, and they are the ones whose opinion matter, aren't they?)))

Dmitry

alyonaxl8 Why do I need approval from some random people?

LOVE this! Indeed, I fell victim to this one too many times! I blame social media because it made super easy for us to let strangers and random people into our lives. So if you're not careful enough with who you hang out you might end up at the very wrong spectrum of emotions.

This is probably why I try to surround myself with people who're closer to me in terms of their views, opinions and attitudes.

But there were certainly times when I felt like I'm loosing faith in humanity. That's why having loved ones by your side makes all the difference. They will support you no matter what (both during good times and bad ones).

ShouguangCao

If you work too hard as a translator, your relationship with your spouse and family suffers, because you are like a troublesome piece of furniture. I had a divorce partially because I worked too hard:-)
And you have no friends, no entertainment, no bars, no parties, you libido drops low, your metabolism slows down, you become a living zombie.