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I've been asked for translations a couple of times... And it's so annoying.
What some people don't realise is that just because you speak two languages fluently, doesn't mean that you are necessarily good at translating between the two. It's extremely difficult. You train to become a translator, being bilingual doesn't make you one. Translators sometimes specialise in certain areas as well (e.g. IT, legal and so on) and charge extra for any technical documents. Good translators will only translate into their own native language but not the other way around (or so I've been told).
Maybe explain this to your friend's gf? She might not realise. Most people I've encountered, who only speak one language fluently, just don't get it until you explain it to them.
Great point! Also, even being a native speaker of English doesn't mean you can understand and interpret legal documents or medical documents, etc, written in your own language.
You are not a translator, not in the particular tech field and know next to nothing about the company. Bad juju when technical or legal discrepancies hit the web or clients, someone points them out to management and Ms Freebie needs a scape goat and it could legally come back to you in the end.
The never ending wish lists can be insane. You feel like you are supplying the whole herd. Most is available in DE but often at import prices. You are cheaper and more convenient.
Friends and friendships change over time especially when you are geographically separated. I made the mistake to call my brides maid (we have known each other since 7th grade). A tirade of negativity, envy and unpleasantness. I wanted to invite her to a special anniversary and was prepared to handle all expenses.
I really hope you and your friend have a chance for some quality time together. Parents - not easy but you are not alone.
English is the official language of the EU. When I was in Europe I met people who spoke better English than I do, and I always tested at the top of the scale for grammar. I have actually had coffee with Grammar Girl, and didn't feel self-conscious at all.
Once upon a time there was a friend with a bestie who had a narcissistic, pretentious, horrible, p.i.t.a. aunt staying with her. The friend could only take her in very small doses. She also had a very difficult time seeing that yes this nightmare of a woman did have some good qualities that were hidden below the surface of this self absorbed, entitled, rectum exterior.
It was her besties birthday and she was talking about having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for her birthday dinner. Oh no, that was not going to happen so her friend spent a fortune on a decadent dinner for six, which included the awful aunt. The friend took the time to be gracious to her and treated her like a human being, whether she deserved it or not. You see she loved her bestie like a sister and her bestie loved her aunt like a mother.
Sometimes we bend over backwards for our loved ones. That dinner took hours to prepare and cost as much as almost a whole weeks worth of groceries. Did the friend feel used? No. Seeing her bestie happy on her birthday was the greatest of rewards. It was done out of love.
Yes your friends girlfriend seems to be much like the entitled aunt, but she makes your friend happy, and that's the bottom line. I would help her with the translation, but I would turn it into a group project. It could generate a ton of laughs and be a chance to bond with your friends girlfriend. I would not do it for her but I would take the time to try and teach her something. Why make an enemy out of what is just a nano second out of your life?
I am not curious that your friend asked you to bring over some goodies. Some merchandise can be really expensive in Germany as compared with US.
Once I have sent a X'mas gift that includes six cans of Macadamia Nuts to my nephew who resides in Munich. On the Customs Form, I wrote down those six cans cost $20 (which is the regular non-sale price in Hawaii). But that gift parcel was held up in the Customs Office in Munich that my nephew had to drive some miles to retrieve the parcel.
The reason: the Munich Customs Officials considered that the value of those six cans of Macadamia Nuts have been grossly under-reported. In Germany, a single can of Macadamia Nut costs around $20.
If I were you, I would just selectively choose some light-weight items on her list and bring them as a gift to her. Anyway you are staying in her place.
English is the official language of the EU. When I was in Europe I met people who spoke better English than I do, and I always tested at the top of the scale for grammar. I have actually had coffee with Grammar Girl, and didn't feel self-conscious at all.
She could easily find many people in Germany who could do an excellent translation.
You can be great at Grammar but if you are not familiar with the field you are translating in especially tech you are out of your league.
I have done my published share in mining and aviation (yea up and down) but do not ask me for banking terms in my native language.
People think translating is easy. You take one langage and replace it with another. No! Some industry specific terms are universal in English, some even in other languages. Try bus in English, Amwrkian and IT Net. Let's not go into local nuances or that's nice.
You can be great at Grammar but if you are not familiar with the field you are translating in especially tech you are out of your league.
I have done my published share in mining and aviation (yea up and down) but do not ask me for banking terms in my native language.
People think translating is easy. You take one langage and replace it with another. No! Some industry specific terms are universal in English, some even in other languages. Try bus in English, Amwrkian and IT Net. Let's not go into local nuances or that's nice.
Over and out
Exactly, translating a technical document would take me hours and it would still not be great because I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL translator.
Yes, they have ordered American goods online before and paid $$$ for it.
Yes your friends girlfriend seems to be much like the entitled aunt, but she makes your friend happy, and that's the bottom line. I would help her with the translation, but I would turn it into a group project. It could generate a ton of laughs and be a chance to bond with your friends girlfriend. I would not do it for her but I would take the time to try and teach her something. Why make an enemy out of what is just a nano second out of your life?
The only thing I would be teaching to her is that she can bring all her work to me whenever she feels like it. She doesn't want a group project, her English sucks. She wants me to translate 7 pages ALONE, technical stuff, and also do some more in the future because "your English is so good."
Every time I've traveled, I've had issues with a few people who want me to buy them stuff on my trips or bring them back things. I've even had people demand to go on my vacation with me and my husband, and asked if they could stay in his family's home with us! Um, no, sorry. I am no longer friends with these people, because over the years, this wore me down. They seemed to think just because my husband's family lived in another country, it was an opportunity for them to go along with us and stay in his family's home. Yuck, yuck, yuck. That kind of behavior is just tacky.
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