I would be interested in reading any site where a working freelancer keeps a little diary of their working life, I like that kind of thing. Especially if it's got any little tips, hints, and funny stories.

So if anyone knows one, tell me!

Or if somebody were to write one here, I would enjoy reading it.

Ellen

http://www.margaret-marks.com/Transblawg/

(Terribly sorry to hijack this thread too...)

J.

An interesting link, Jacek.  But now I will never feel comfortable with soup again.  How do Germans get the soup onto their spoons?  And what is the North American counterpart?  (middle item in the blog)  And come to think of it - do we eat or drink soup?

Maxi

In Poland, we eat it.  Unless it is clear bortsch or, less likely, broth in which case we drink it.

J.

Here are a few that I read fairly often:

http://www.nakedtranslations.com/en/blog.php

http://www.jezblog.34sp.com/

http://www.gw-language.com/wlog/

This is mine - excuse the self-link!

http://www.stevemaas.com/translation

A few more blogs written by translators:

Translator's note: http://www.biocom-jp.com/weblog/

Open Brackets: http://openbrackets.com/

Language Hat: http://www.languagehat.com/

Translation Exchange: http://translationexchange.blogspot.com/

Hi, Stephen and all,

I've checked briefly your site (and your "blog") but I liked what I saw.

I'll be back to read more... I'm actually thinking about reformulating my site and will see if I can put a blog within it... I just don't know when you guys find the time!!!

Regards - off to the supermarket now!
Adriana

I would love to read it Adriana!

Thank you to everyone for all the links. I think I have too much to choose from now

Ellen

Hi, Ellen,

Thanks for the interest, if I decide to do so, I'll let you know. If you decide to give it a go, please let me know too!

Actually, I'm trying to put a blog for my son, so all our friends can see his new photos and his new adventures, but it's difficult to find the time to update it - the blog is there, with some photos and messages, but that's all.

Actually, by reading the first post I saw at Stephen's site the other day, I thought that, when I think about my day, it can be incredibly boring for most of people. My husband doesn't know how on Earth I manage to face the computer all day long, to be by myself, not having to leave the house etc.

Recently, my son started to go to a day-care facility near our home, and we were talking to the owners of the place, whose daughter is also in the same "classroom" as Sammy (my son), and they asked me about my profession. I said "translator", and then I had this reaction: "ah..." - very dull!

Then, to be polite, I guess, they asked what kind of things I use to translate, and then I said "documents, contracts. I'm also a sworn translator. And I also translate movies and documentaries to be dubbed and subtitled" (I find this always get a little bit more of reaction...) - but still nothing!!!) I even mentioned some of the "blockbuster" movies I've translated, and still NOTHING!!!

So, I don't know, maybe my days are reallllly boring!

Oh, well, should go back to another movie - quite challenging this one: it's spoken in French, subtitled in Portuguese, but I have to produce the version to be dubbed in Portuguese... I've done the same thing with two of three Korean movies, so French is not that difficult!

Bye
Adriana

Hi Adriana,

Maybe I'll think about it I'm not sure people want to hear how many times a day I manage to throw something sticky into my keyboard though

It's interesting the reactions you say you get. Where I live nobody knows anyone that translates so I get a lot of questions. And usually a stunned silence when they find out it's Japanese stuff. But after that they are pretty chatty. I find a lot of people really like to know about Japanese, especially the popular culture, so if I tell them I work on Japanese comics they find that interesting.

It must be pretty cool to work on the blockbuster movies, I'd enjoy that!

Ellen