Why not all translators are paid

TL;DR

Some individuals in the translation field are volunteers and don't get paid in money, but rather receive other forms of compensation such as prestige, social contacts, knowledge, experience, and happiness. Trust plays a vital role in these relationships and the exchange of various forms of capital.

Transcript

it seems ages ago since i was first contacted about this and uh what's strange is that we've had a pandemic in between that and i've been doing research and my ideas have been changing a lot over that period so they are very fluent fluid changeable and the opinions i'm going to present to you now are those of somebody grappling with a problem my pr... Read More

Key Insights

• 💁 Non-professional translators receive compensation in the form of prestige, social contacts, knowledge, experience, and happiness, rather than monetary payment.
• 💁 Trust is crucial in non-professional translation relationships and involves the risk of betrayal. It enables the exchange of different forms of capital over time.
• 🖐️ Certification and academic institutions play a role in the professionalization of the translation profession, providing training and establishing standards.
• 💦 Non-professional translators contribute to society by bridging communication gaps and providing valuable translation services. Their work can be found in volunteer organizations, community centers, and cultural events.
• 💁 Different forms of media channels, including radio, television, social media, and physical mail, are used by associations to convey official information to diverse communities.
• ❓ Thick trust within civil society, characterized by personal connections and familiarity, is important for effective communication and the functioning of democracies.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the motivations for individuals who engage in non-professional translation work?

Non-professional translators may be motivated by factors such as prestige, social contacts, knowledge, experience, and happiness. These individuals are compensated in forms other than money for their voluntary translation work.

Q: How does trust play a role in non-professional translation relationships?

Trust is essential in non-professional translation relationships as it enables the exchange of different forms of capital. Trust involves the risk of betrayal and allows for cooperation and the progression of societies.

Q: How do non-professional translators contribute to society?

Non-professional translators play an important role in society by providing translation services and bridging communication gaps. Their work can be valuable in various contexts, such as volunteer organizations, community centers, and cultural events.

Q: What is the significance of certification and academic institutions in the translation profession?

Certification and academic institutions contribute to the professionalization of the translation field. They provide training opportunities, establish standards, and help improve the overall quality of translation work. These institutions also facilitate the exchange of different forms of capital within the profession.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker explores the concept of voluntary translation and highlights the distinction between individuals who get paid for translation work and those who don't. The non-monetary compensations for non-professional translators include prestige, social contacts, knowledge, experience, and happiness.

• Cooperation and trust are integral to these relationships, with trust being associated with the risk of betrayal. The speaker emphasizes the importance of trust in enabling the exchange of different forms of capital over time.

• The speaker discusses their work as a translation scholar and the ideological motivation to train professional translators. They explore the formation of a better translation profession through certification and academic institutions.