Pages in topic:   [1 2] >
Poll: Have you ever decided to purchase a new product or service thanks to something you translated?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jan 13, 2019

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever decided to purchase a new product or service thanks to something you translated?".

View the poll results »



 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 00:20
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Not that I can recall Jan 13, 2019

I mostly translate documents about things that need to be fixed, like diseases and poverty. Nothing I would want to purchase.

 
Julio Madrid
Julio Madrid  Identity Verified
Mexico
Local time: 00:20
Member (2018)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Almost... Jan 13, 2019

Last year I almost subscribed to this app I translated/localized, but I decided the one I already had to do my personal finances was perfect for me.

 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 08:20
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Jan 13, 2019

I have a vague recollection of one time, many years ago, after doing some translations for a fine foods company, they gave me some of their bomba rice, which I now buy for certain dishes.

[Edited at 2019-01-13 09:55 GMT]


 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 07:20
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
No Jan 13, 2019

I have been translating for ages (it’s my oldest-standing customer) all user instructions for a well-known producer of hair styling tools and that’s exactly the brand I prefer, but I was using it well before starting translating for them. I used to translate regularly a lot of medical devices (I still do though only occasionally) and I want them as far from me as possible. Most of the remaining translations I do are not about saleable products or services…


[Edited at 2019-01-
... See more
I have been translating for ages (it’s my oldest-standing customer) all user instructions for a well-known producer of hair styling tools and that’s exactly the brand I prefer, but I was using it well before starting translating for them. I used to translate regularly a lot of medical devices (I still do though only occasionally) and I want them as far from me as possible. Most of the remaining translations I do are not about saleable products or services…


[Edited at 2019-01-13 11:18 GMT]

[Edited at 2019-01-13 12:13 GMT]
Collapse


 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 08:20
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
Possibly, but there are certainly products I have avoided! Jan 13, 2019

I have probably bought food products after translating the product declarations - dairy products and fresh fish. I read the declarations on most products I buy anyway, so I might have ended up buying the products regardless.

However, having a range of products lined up and being paid to read the declarations in detail can be food for thought. I know which products I personally would NOT buy!

I have translated a lot of material about cosmetics, and while I appreciate tha
... See more
I have probably bought food products after translating the product declarations - dairy products and fresh fish. I read the declarations on most products I buy anyway, so I might have ended up buying the products regardless.

However, having a range of products lined up and being paid to read the declarations in detail can be food for thought. I know which products I personally would NOT buy!

I have translated a lot of material about cosmetics, and while I appreciate that the manufacturers do their utmost to make the products safe and advise customers how to avoid potential problems, I have kept away from those products altogether, or I go for the most environment-friendly, hypoallergenic varieties of soaps and hand creams.

Likewise some foods. I respect people's principles about being vegetarian or vegan, but would never buy a substitute for meat. I occasionally eat the real thing, or else I go for undisguised vegetables and dairy!
Collapse


 
DZiW (X)
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
Yes Jan 13, 2019

As a relatively skeptic critical thinker, I always doublecheck the info and the original source.
For instance, after I translated a few articles about 'dietary supplements' and over-the-counter 'homeopathic drugs' for regional hospitals, many readers refused to buy such expensive fake medicine and they were interested in the official/PubMed/verifiable info from reliable sources. So, my family and I also learned a lot of vital aspects (including pre- and probiotics), getting more picky rega
... See more
As a relatively skeptic critical thinker, I always doublecheck the info and the original source.
For instance, after I translated a few articles about 'dietary supplements' and over-the-counter 'homeopathic drugs' for regional hospitals, many readers refused to buy such expensive fake medicine and they were interested in the official/PubMed/verifiable info from reliable sources. So, my family and I also learned a lot of vital aspects (including pre- and probiotics), getting more picky regarding proofs and bold yet baseless statements.

It's a pity very many highly educated doctors are involved in surrogate biz, knowingly selling lies, fakes, placebos, or ineffective non-drugs to the needy...
Collapse


 
Jennifer Forbes
Jennifer Forbes  Identity Verified
Local time: 07:20
French to English
+ ...
In memoriam
Not exactly Jan 13, 2019

I don't think I've ever bought something directly as the result of translating stuff about it but, like Christine, I've certainly avoided buying certain products - for example those of a well-know manufacturer and marketer of computer games and electronic devices. I've translated endless complaints from thoroughly dissatisfied customers, some even involving house fires, death and legal proceedings.
On a brighter note, I have tried recipes from some of the cookery books I've translated - do
... See more
I don't think I've ever bought something directly as the result of translating stuff about it but, like Christine, I've certainly avoided buying certain products - for example those of a well-know manufacturer and marketer of computer games and electronic devices. I've translated endless complaints from thoroughly dissatisfied customers, some even involving house fires, death and legal proceedings.
On a brighter note, I have tried recipes from some of the cookery books I've translated - does that count?
Collapse


 
Ricki Farn
Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 08:20
English to German
No/Other Jan 13, 2019

I specialize in stuff that only big companies buy. So if I had an entire data center in my garden shed, I might buy some of the software I translate about, but as it is, I don't even have a garden shed. Oops.

Other: I have learned a lot about best practices for IT from my translations, and I put some of this information to good use in my own tiny-scale technology. Does that count?


 
writeaway
writeaway  Identity Verified
French to English
+ ...
Well I've done a lot of automotive translations Jan 13, 2019

and I bought a car. Does that count?


Ricki Farn
Angie Garbarino
Jennifer White
 
Els Govaerts
Els Govaerts  Identity Verified
Belgium
Local time: 08:20
English to Flemish
+ ...
Chocolate! Jan 13, 2019

When I am translating for a chocolate company. And theirs was a favourite brand of mine already before I started translating for that company. The translations are often mouthwatering...

 
Michael Harris
Michael Harris  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 08:20
Member (2006)
German to English
Yes, Jan 13, 2019

I do a lot of technical related translations for VW and ended up buying a new Passat in 1997, which turned into a new Sharan 4 years later and a Multivan Highline 3 years after that. But they do not know that and probably would not care either.
But it was very useful to know a lot of stuff going on in the background when I went to the garage for one thing or another and to hear how little the staff there knew.


 
Ramey Rieger (X)
Ramey Rieger (X)  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 08:20
German to English
YES! Jan 13, 2019

I'm a literary/spiritual practices translator and often buy the books (when they're really good!) in German for my German friends.
the English versions I get for free, but sometimes buy them as gifts anyway.


 
Tina Vonhof (X)
Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 01:20
Dutch to English
+ ...
No but Jan 13, 2019

I answered no but I have bookmarked the website of a product that I may need some day or that I may be able to help someone else with: http://handsteady.com/

 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 04:20
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Likely, but I don't remember Jan 13, 2019

After 32 years translating all sorts of documents, it's very likely that it may have happened, but I don't remember.

 
Pages in topic:   [1 2] >


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: Have you ever decided to purchase a new product or service thanks to something you translated?






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 »
Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »