| 话题中的页数: < [1 2] | Poll: Would you avoid any translation subject for ethical reasons? 论题张贴者: ProZ.com Staff
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| | Roy Chacón 
哥伦比亚
Local time: 05:51
会员
English英语译成Spanish西班牙语
Same poll again may be boring, however, in some cases they can be usefull in order to stablish tendencies over time.
Is there more concern over ethics?
Are there more jobs with questionable ethics?
and so on..
| | | | | No difference here | Mar 29, 2012 |
I will give exactly the same answer as before:
"As a professional translator, I try to leave my causes, my biases, my likes and dislikes and my morality at a good distance from my translation desk, but for me it is a question of comfort level — if you are not comfortable working on a project, you are certainly not going to be able to turn out your best work. If something feels wrong to me, I am willing to walk away from the money.
Deciding which projects are ethical ... See more I will give exactly the same answer as before:
"As a professional translator, I try to leave my causes, my biases, my likes and dislikes and my morality at a good distance from my translation desk, but for me it is a question of comfort level — if you are not comfortable working on a project, you are certainly not going to be able to turn out your best work. If something feels wrong to me, I am willing to walk away from the money.
Deciding which projects are ethical to take on, though, can be very subjective. I would refuse jobs, and I have in the past, on gambling, obscene or pornographic material, military weapons, racism…"
These polls are really becoming boring!!!!
[Edited at 2012-03-29 17:29 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | As a human being/citizen | Mar 29, 2012 |
I think that all my actions are related to effects out there in the real world, and that I am somewhat responsible for at least considering the possible effect of what I do (not just just in translation, but as a parent, in the voluntary work I do etc. etc.)
This doesn't mean I research the background of every project I do and scrutinize every end client, but when something clearly is connected to some some outcome I find dubious (for instance if asked to translate wiretap transcrip... See more I think that all my actions are related to effects out there in the real world, and that I am somewhat responsible for at least considering the possible effect of what I do (not just just in translation, but as a parent, in the voluntary work I do etc. etc.)
This doesn't mean I research the background of every project I do and scrutinize every end client, but when something clearly is connected to some some outcome I find dubious (for instance if asked to translate wiretap transcripts obtained illegally or in unethical ways, or if a crazy jealous husband wants to know what his Norwegian wife says on Messenger - the latter especially in this period, when in Italy for instance, women have been killed by their partners about every two days in 2012)
In my close family I've also had a couple of uncles with very serious gambling addictions, so I turn down any translation in that field, not necessarily because I think gambling should be illegal, but because I don't want to feel like an enabler of an addiction that carries a lot of sad memories for me. ▲ Collapse
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| Yes, I've already refused a job on an ethical basis | Mar 29, 2012 |
As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, there are several topics my Bible-based conscience would not allow me to work on.
Projects I've refused to handle include: The translation of an adult website, the translation of religious literature that is "in opposition to the healthful teaching" (1 Timothy 1:10), and the translation of an arms sale contract (Isaiah 2:4).
Alain Alameddine
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 06:51
English英语译成Spanish西班牙语
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| How many definitions for “ethical reasons”? | Mar 29, 2012 |
neilmac wrote:
I might refuse a translation for any number of reasons, such as not liking the cut of a client's jib or their tone of voice. In the case of ethical concerns though, I'd have to take each case on its merits.
This question has come up before and on one occasion I offered the hypothetical example of being asked to translate the ravings of the racist mass murderer Brevik for publication. I imagine that some, if not most translators, would have qualms about spreading his spoutings, but at the same time I consider that the translator in such a case is merely a cipher or channel and not responsible for the content translated.
There is also a widespread idea that the notion of ethics per se is a luxury with little meaning for those in extreme situations. For example, stem cell research is a taboo area for some people whereas I myself have no reservations in working in it, and in fact get quite angry about the restrictions placed upon medical research due to supposedly "ethical" concerns of this nature when I see the results.
The issue is really too complex to discuss constructively in a straw poll like this, and besides, time marches on and I should be working already...
I agree, it is sound advice overall. Two caveats:
a) As a translator, I have the job to convey a certain content in another language. Whether that content is agreeable or disgusting, for or against my religious principles, ugly or pretty, it's outside the scope of my involvement. I am a conduit, period.
b) But I am not merely a conduit as a translator. I am also an author, a writer of the translation, and I have a moral obligation to be precise, accurate and leave nothing out. If the text is a deposition with horrible insults, I should do my best to transpose the meaning of those insults. Whether I feel offended by them is inconsequential.
About racism: I think that racism is a natural prejudice gone awry (yeah, I can see some surprised looks already). We are all prejudiced in one way or another for or against another group. We tend to distance ourselves from a group that is way too different from us. While I am 100% in favor of coexistence and mutual respect among the different skin colors on the planet, far it be from me to pontificate on who is a racist and who isn't.
| | | | Isabelle F. BRUCHER (X)
比利时
Local time: 12:51
English英语译成French法语
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| What can you do in some cases?... | Mar 29, 2012 |
I have just translated Terms & Conditions of Business which seemed (to me...) a bit abusive at times - but what can you do?
You discover that as you do the work, it's difficult to see that in advance, and even so: customers should read them and if they disagree, they don't buy, full stop.
However the original had so tiny characters it was humanly impossible to read, on the ground that the whole Terms and Conditions should fit on the back of a page.
I use... See more I have just translated Terms & Conditions of Business which seemed (to me...) a bit abusive at times - but what can you do?
You discover that as you do the work, it's difficult to see that in advance, and even so: customers should read them and if they disagree, they don't buy, full stop.
However the original had so tiny characters it was humanly impossible to read, on the ground that the whole Terms and Conditions should fit on the back of a page.
I used characters of size 8, which is still kind of small, but readable, and much larger than the original (twice larger, I think, I don't know, the original was a pdf file, which I retyped and the new original in English size 8 fitted on 2 pages instead of just one...).
That being said, since the end-customer will receive a computer file, they can still resize the characters and, since the French text is about 17% longer, if they want to fit it all on one page, the character size will be even smaller than the original English text (if that is even possible!)...
I don't know if there is a law about this (I don't think so, unfortunately), but at least the translator is not legally responsible for this... ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Vetting or ignoring | Mar 29, 2012 |
Julian Holmes wrote: Interlangue, I hear you! Also, the April 16th, 2010 poll was: "Have you ever turned down a job for ethical reasons or because you didn't agree with the content?" Slightly similar, eh. Poll suggestion rules state: "Ensure that a similar question has not been asked recently by searching for key terms" A little bit more vetting by the moderators would be appreciated. 
True, there are a lot of repetition of similar subject in this poll that is because, in my thinking, ProZ stuff in charge has to fill this cyber real state of ProZ website one way or the other in daily basis with thunder lightening speed of turnaround.
They either slow down and wait more response, solicit more creative suggestions, or you decide ignore and not to participate in this poll.
To me, it is that simple.
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Interlangue (X)
安哥拉
Local time: 12:51
English英语译成French法语
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humbird wrote:
They either slow down and wait more response, solicit more creative suggestions, or you decide ignore and not to participate in this poll.
To me, it is that simple.
I referred to previous polls and answers because I have nothing new to say on the subject.
I understand some colleagues are hoping to find trends over time – but would they know about or notice any (possible) evolution if no one pointed out that this poll had been served before?
Otherwise I agree that it is not really worth getting upset about. My life does not depend on it; it is “just” a quick poll
| | | | lillkakan
Local time: 12:51
English英语译成Swedish瑞典语
I was once offered a large project, translating all the material pertaining to a multi-level marketing scheme. It's basically a sort of pyramid scheme, designed to defraud people while promising them big profits and lifelong financial independence. I couldn't stomach being part of destroying people's lives like that, so I turned it down and I haven't regretted it one bit.
| | | | | Have done so in the past | Mar 29, 2012 |
When I started translating, I was approached by a Dutch magazine, looking fo an "open-minded" translator. It appeared to be a magazine with pictures of minors in poses that were on the edge of child pornography. The magazine was later outlawed. I did not do it and I am glad I did not. I am still open-minded though.
| | | | Robin Salmon (X)
澳大利亚
Local time: 20:51
German德语译成English英语
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| Not promoting things you disagree with | Mar 29, 2012 |
If alcohol and tobacco were banned everywhere in the world, it would obviously be a happier place. I never do translations which promote them in any way.
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564354352 (X)
丹麦
Local time: 12:51
Danish丹麦语译成English英语
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| Yes, of course | Mar 30, 2012 |
Life is about so much more than just earning money. What good is it to gain the whole world if you lose your soul?
And on the subject of repeated polls: I am still a relatively new member here, and I find this particular kind of poll many times more interesting than those 'new' ones on the line of 'where in the house do you keep your workstation' and 'do you snack in front of your computer'.
| | | | | I never had to, but if I did, then.... | Mar 30, 2012 |
Mary Worby wrote:
I haven't yet been confronted by a topic that I would object to on ethical reasons. I can imagine, though, that I would struggle to stomach anything illegal or offensive, such as the promotion of racism or violence. Realistically, though, my work tends to be rather more mundane!
I fully concur with Mary!
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