Poll: Do you pick up new words for your translations from the media (TV, radio, cinema, etc.)?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Dec 16, 2017

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you pick up new words for your translations from the media (TV, radio, cinema, etc.)?".

This poll was originally submitted by Natalia Pedrosa. View the poll results »



 
Gitte Hoveds (X)
Gitte Hoveds (X)
Denmark
Local time: 15:15
Danish to English
+ ...
Of course Dec 16, 2017

I think a translator would have to be deaf and blind not to do so...

 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 07:15
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other - Hard to say Dec 16, 2017

If we're talking about foreign (source language) words, then it's mostly from my work because the languages are not spoken where I live.

On the other hand, target language words are more likely to surface in my everyday environment, especially books and the media.


 
EvaVer (X)
EvaVer (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 15:15
Czech to French
+ ...
I don't know Dec 16, 2017

"New words" - are we talking about words newly created in a language, or words new to me? I assume the former.
Probably, although not before they become generally understood (if there is an alternative), as far as my mother tongue is concerned. In other languages - if I hear/read a word for the first time, is it because it's new or just because I haven't heard it before? I will only pick it up if it's useful to me, not just because it's a fade or "sounds good".


 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 15:15
Spanish to English
+ ...
I don't know Dec 16, 2017

It's possible.

 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 14:15
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Other Dec 16, 2017

I find most of the new coined words I have to translate in my source texts. I can’t remember ever picking a word from TV, radio or cinema, but I read a lot (books, magazines, and newspapers) and when I find a word unknown to me or even a particularly well-structured sentence I usually write it down for future use…

 
Nikki Scott-Despaigne
Nikki Scott-Despaigne  Identity Verified
Local time: 15:15
French to English
Yes, of course, all the time! Dec 16, 2017

What better source is there? There is so much information out there and the media reflect, and indeed introduce, so many new terms and expressions all the time. Accessibility is so easy these days and as linguists it is essential to keep up, in source and target languages. The media offer the complete range, from street language, through "in" jargon, and on to new technical events and thus phrases and terminology. New usage, even if it is poor, is still something we need to be aware of.
... See more
What better source is there? There is so much information out there and the media reflect, and indeed introduce, so many new terms and expressions all the time. Accessibility is so easy these days and as linguists it is essential to keep up, in source and target languages. The media offer the complete range, from street language, through "in" jargon, and on to new technical events and thus phrases and terminology. New usage, even if it is poor, is still something we need to be aware of.

Language lives; long live language!

[Edited at 2017-12-16 15:55 GMT]
Collapse


 
Mario Chavez (X)
Mario Chavez (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 10:15
English to Spanish
+ ...
No, unless… Dec 16, 2017

…I find useful technical terms and expressions in the TV documentaries I tend to watch.

There are many variables. If one is a translator of subtitles for movies and videogames, I guess picking up words from the media makes sense. For technical documentation, legal, financial, Human Resources, health care, etc., one can't rely on what the media (TV, radio, movies, cartoons, etc.) relies because it's mostly ephemera.


 
Noni Gilbert Riley
Noni Gilbert Riley
Spain
Local time: 15:15
Spanish to English
+ ...
Probably from all the sources Dec 16, 2017

But I do think that as someone living in a country where my source language is not spoken, I am perhaps more aware of where the input is coming from. I even remember in many cases the first time I came across a specific word or expression.

However I am talking here about words which are new to me because they are relatively recently coined: encountering a word which is new to me, but not recent, in my native language, from which I translate, is very unusual and means it is highly s
... See more
But I do think that as someone living in a country where my source language is not spoken, I am perhaps more aware of where the input is coming from. I even remember in many cases the first time I came across a specific word or expression.

However I am talking here about words which are new to me because they are relatively recently coined: encountering a word which is new to me, but not recent, in my native language, from which I translate, is very unusual and means it is highly specialist vocabulary.

I should add that in my "previous" life, I was a language teacher, and I still keep tabs on the activity as a language school owner, so I am perhaps particularly sensitive to "new" vocabulary.
Collapse


 
Nikki Scott-Despaigne
Nikki Scott-Despaigne  Identity Verified
Local time: 15:15
French to English
Selectivity Dec 16, 2017

Apart from the blurb you can chose to ignore, you can also chose quality radio broad/podcasts,TV and web documentaries and a whole host of other media sources. There is a great deal of rubbish out there, I agree, but as linguists, we're supposed to be critical thinkers in tune with our times, are we not? You can actually chose your sources and not swallow it whole and pick up some really good language. I would hate to think I was still understanding and using the same language as 20 years... See more
Apart from the blurb you can chose to ignore, you can also chose quality radio broad/podcasts,TV and web documentaries and a whole host of other media sources. There is a great deal of rubbish out there, I agree, but as linguists, we're supposed to be critical thinkers in tune with our times, are we not? You can actually chose your sources and not swallow it whole and pick up some really good language. I would hate to think I was still understanding and using the same language as 20 years ago, in English or in French. It is because language morphs so much that it's fun!

[Edited at 2017-12-16 20:16 GMT]
Collapse


 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 15:15
French to English
yes! Dec 17, 2017

I make a point of reading funny articles about corporate buzz words, in order to see what clichés would work well for my clients.

Things like this can be truly helpful:
https://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2015/jun/26/business-jargon-words-avoid


 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 11:15
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
new words Dec 17, 2017

We pick up new words regularly from several sources. It's a natural thing. They don't necessarily come only from the media, though. They are everywhere, floating in the air (and in the media, too, of course). We simply absorb them. Then we must judge if they are applicable and feasible, according to the job.

 


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 pick up new words for your translations from the media (TV, radio, cinema, etc.)?






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 »
CafeTran Espresso
You've never met a CAT tool this clever!

Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer. Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools. Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free

Buy now! »