| Teemakohased leheküljed: < [1 2 3] > | Off topic: Why a Pseudonym? Vestluse postitaja: Henry Hinds
|
|---|
| I am glad I am asked to explain my stand | Aug 24, 2004 |
The reason is very simple. When I am replying to a posting of say "lien", I will have to use the pronoun sometimes. Why lien? I will tell you. Once I wanted to thank her for translating into French my English posting in a French thread. (Traduction avant l'internet". "Tu es gentille, Lien", I wrote. For finding out the gender I went to her profile and saw the mention "Native French Lady, grew up in France". That was that. Had I written "Tu es gentil, Lien" she would have felt bad. And if I had t... See more The reason is very simple. When I am replying to a posting of say "lien", I will have to use the pronoun sometimes. Why lien? I will tell you. Once I wanted to thank her for translating into French my English posting in a French thread. (Traduction avant l'internet". "Tu es gentille, Lien", I wrote. For finding out the gender I went to her profile and saw the mention "Native French Lady, grew up in France". That was that. Had I written "Tu es gentil, Lien" she would have felt bad. And if I had to address her formally, I would have written "Dear Madam". As simple as that.
Hence I repeat the request the request to the Proz staff: Please provide a field for the form of salutation.
Regards,
N.Raghavan
CMJ_Trans wrote:
For the same reasons as sarahl, among others, I have no wish to "go public" but I should like to ask Narasimhan Raghavan why he needs to know whether fellow prozs are male or female? As "Chris", I have been deliberately cagey about whether that is short for Christian, Christine, Christopher, Christiane, etc. simply because I don't think my gender is relevant to the answers I give. Imagine I am female and I answer a very technical question. There is every likelihood that some macho males might discount my reply on the lines of "she's a woman - how could she know anything about that?". Equally, if I am male and I answer a question about cooking or knitting patterns, my answer (however correct) could be ignored.
What matters is quality and gender is therefore, in my book, irrelevant to the issue at stake!
Not wishing to be unfriendly, just trying to avoid clouding the waters
Chris ▲ Collapse
| | | | sarahl (X)
Local time: 12:15
inglise - prantsuse
+ ...
| I wouldn't worry too much about that | Aug 24, 2004 |
Narasimhan Raghavan wrote:
Had I written "Tu es gentil, Lien" she would have felt bad.
When the person I had in mind told me s/he had been convinced for months that I was a man, I laughed my head off. So would Lien if someone believes she's a man.
Which doesn't really matter imo. I agree with other posters that the gender shouldn't make a difference. This is a professional forum, after all. If we want to get to know people on a more personal basis, then we can exchange emails or throw a pow wow. By the way Claudia, we held an unofficial pow wow in St. Louis a few weeks ago, all the Prozians in town (all two of us!) got together for lunch.
anonymously yours
Sarahl
| | | | Williamson 
Suurbritannia
Local time: 20:15
flaami - inglise
+ ...
| Weighing Words | Aug 24, 2004 |
I am not critisizing moderators. Yes, it better now.
Basically, we are all (trying) to sell a service the best we can. On Forums, you can exchange ideas about this service, but do you need to make others look ridiculous about the service they try to sell or how they try to sell it.
The heart of this topic is "why use an pseudonym":
When this site started up, this possibility was offered.
I opted for it and stuck to it. I have been using the symbol of the dolphin ... See more I am not critisizing moderators. Yes, it better now.
Basically, we are all (trying) to sell a service the best we can. On Forums, you can exchange ideas about this service, but do you need to make others look ridiculous about the service they try to sell or how they try to sell it.
The heart of this topic is "why use an pseudonym":
When this site started up, this possibility was offered.
I opted for it and stuck to it. I have been using the symbol of the dolphin on invoices and stationary since 1993 in various shapes and I until now I have stuck to it too...
[Edited at 2004-08-24 17:07] ▲ Collapse
| | | | teju
Local time: 13:15
inglise - hispaania
+ ...
| No reason at all | Aug 24, 2004 |
Hola Henry, you know who I am because we've met, we happen to live in the same town.
When I had to enter my proz name, I chose "teju" on a whim. As some of you may know, a teju is a lizard from South America. My husband is from Argentina, and he works in the leather industry. This is the explanation of what my pseudonym means and why I chose it.
It was never my intention to hide who I was, as a matter of fact, if you log into my member info, you'll see everything there is to know a... See more Hola Henry, you know who I am because we've met, we happen to live in the same town.
When I had to enter my proz name, I chose "teju" on a whim. As some of you may know, a teju is a lizard from South America. My husband is from Argentina, and he works in the leather industry. This is the explanation of what my pseudonym means and why I chose it.
It was never my intention to hide who I was, as a matter of fact, if you log into my member info, you'll see everything there is to know about me (all boring stuff).
As far as not projecting the right image for prospective employers, I never thought about that because I don't look for work in proz, I'm on contract with a government agency. I log into proz to ask questions every so often, and to answer questions more often than not.
I enjoy the camaraderie, and "meeting" colleagues from all over the world. Most of those who participate in proz often, already know who I am.
I do agree that gender should not have anything to do with one's ability to answer a question.
I've been un-masked! Zorro could find me now in El Paso,Texas, living under the name Ana Trachter.
Signed,
Teju
Ana
or The Masked Translator ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
Claudia Iglesias
Tšiili
Local time: 15:15
Liige (2002)
hispaania - prantsuse
+ ...
| I wonder, Raghavan, | Aug 24, 2004 |
whether people would fill it.
Narasimhan Raghavan wrote:
Hence I repeat the request the request to the Proz staff: Please provide a field for the form of salutation.
And if I was voting for the proposal, I'd prefer just to indicate M or F (or M or B like written in the other thread)
 .
| | | | Andrea Ali
Argentiina
Local time: 16:15
inglise - hispaania
+ ...
| Funny indeed! | Aug 24, 2004 |
teju wrote:
I've been un-masked! Zorro could find me now in El Paso,Texas, living under the name Ana Trachter.
Signed,
Teju
Ana
or The Masked Translator
I would have sworn you were a man!!!
Andrea (no secrets)
| | | | Henry Hinds
Ameerika Ühendriigid
Local time: 13:15
inglise - hispaania
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER In memoriam
I thought this might turn into an interesting thread, and it has, keep the opinions coming!
And yes, Andrea, I can assure you that "Teju" is not a man. I did wonder where she got "Teju" and now I know; the last time I saw her I forgot to ask.
Of course Claudia knows my name and mug, the photo I use was taken at her home, I think by Claudia herself! And that IS Claudia, by the way.
As for my own opinion, I have always used my own name because it is my stock ... See more I thought this might turn into an interesting thread, and it has, keep the opinions coming!
And yes, Andrea, I can assure you that "Teju" is not a man. I did wonder where she got "Teju" and now I know; the last time I saw her I forgot to ask.
Of course Claudia knows my name and mug, the photo I use was taken at her home, I think by Claudia herself! And that IS Claudia, by the way.
As for my own opinion, I have always used my own name because it is my stock in trade, I began life with it and good or bad, it is who I am. To some I am also "fronterizo" because it tells a bit about the setting in which I live and work, but my name is always there.
I do think, as some others do, that a real name and face promote more confidence than a set of initials or a creative (or non-creative) pseudonym or fanciful image. Perhaps in other forums it is best for many reasons to create a "persona", but I do not think it would be the case here.
Others think differently... keep it coming! ▲ Collapse
| | | |
Andrea Ali wrote:
Andrea (no secrets)
This could be a little bit ambiguous, as "Andrea" would be a man in Italy and a woman eg in Germany (just the same as Gabriele). Afaik, I sometimes received mail for Ms. Lilli Lorenzo, even though I'm actually Mr Lorenzo Lilli Someone thinks even that Lilli is a nickname for Lorenzo - no kidding.
| | |
|
|
|
espurna
Hispaania
Local time: 21:15
Liige (2005)
inglise - hispaania
+ ...
| Gender? Name? Who cares? | Aug 24, 2004 |
"espurna" ("spark" in Catalan) suggest a female in my native language, but it is (most probably) neutral in the rest of the world. Then you can go to my ProZ link and find something like "Joaquim Ma." as given name. Probably a man, but many times interpreted as a woman both in Catalonia and Spain. I have never worried about it, no matter they were wrong o wright about my gender.
On the other side, what about the reliability of a complete name (first and family)? During about a year, I was... See more "espurna" ("spark" in Catalan) suggest a female in my native language, but it is (most probably) neutral in the rest of the world. Then you can go to my ProZ link and find something like "Joaquim Ma." as given name. Probably a man, but many times interpreted as a woman both in Catalonia and Spain. I have never worried about it, no matter they were wrong o wright about my gender.
On the other side, what about the reliability of a complete name (first and family)? During about a year, I was the head-editor of a magazine using a name... that was just false. No one did ever express a doubt about that bogus head-editor.
Male, female, named or pseudonymed, I am always the same one and also my work will be. You can call me sir, madam or just espurna, I think that's not so important.
[Edited at 2004-08-24 22:11] ▲ Collapse
| | | | swisstell
Itaalia
Local time: 21:15
saksa - inglise
+ ...
| I am also a private person.... | Aug 24, 2004 |
...outside of being a translator, and I like to make a separation there.
| | | | | A man and a woman | Aug 25, 2004 |
Hi, Henry.
I will add my two-cents' worth to this thread.
When I started in Proz, I had my dear flag as my icon and my name entered as Luisabel. I am very fond of this name. One day, after I switched the flag for my picture, someone told me they had thought I was a man all along. They said they read my name as a combination of "Luis" and "Abel", two masculine names. It turns out it is just a combination of mine and my sister's names: Luisa and Isabel, same syllable at the end of the ... See more Hi, Henry.
I will add my two-cents' worth to this thread.
When I started in Proz, I had my dear flag as my icon and my name entered as Luisabel. I am very fond of this name. One day, after I switched the flag for my picture, someone told me they had thought I was a man all along. They said they read my name as a combination of "Luis" and "Abel", two masculine names. It turns out it is just a combination of mine and my sister's names: Luisa and Isabel, same syllable at the end of the first and at the beginning of the second, and it was a name my father teasingly used to call us both at once when we were kids.
Many times I wonder whether someone is an M or an F butI specially wonder where they are and what country they are originally from. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Just M or F will do | Aug 25, 2004 |
For reasons of proper addressing and using the correct verb forms in case of reflexive verbs and to use correct pronounns (true for all my three languages) just the indication M or F will do. Is this information not mandatory in all other situations where one fills up personal information? I think, even in the case of taking a yahoo id one has to indicate the field meant for this purpose.
Once this is indicated, be as mysterious as you want. As far as I am concerned, I will always b... See more For reasons of proper addressing and using the correct verb forms in case of reflexive verbs and to use correct pronounns (true for all my three languages) just the indication M or F will do. Is this information not mandatory in all other situations where one fills up personal information? I think, even in the case of taking a yahoo id one has to indicate the field meant for this purpose.
Once this is indicated, be as mysterious as you want. As far as I am concerned, I will always be known as Narasimhan Raghavan. That is my full name. Any Indian can tell that it is a man, the moment he hears that name. For the sake of others my photo too is given, which clinches the issue once for all.
Talking of genders, I am reminded of my friend Mr. Lal. He was referring to his wife as follows. "My wife is a graduate and he specialized in English literature". For a moment I was amazed. Then the penny dropped. Lal's mother tongue is Hindi and in that language the third person singular pronoun "woh" indicates a she as well as a he. The funny thing is, Lal was not aware of the faux pas committed by him and he (a he he) went talking about him (a she he). Again there is that famous short story in Hindi "Usne kaha tha". There were two translations of that story in Tamil. One transltor gave the title "He said it (Avan sonnan)" and the other gave the title "She said it (Aval sonnal)". When I raised this query in a translation seminar, where translators from various parts of India were gathered, the Hindi mother tongue people started discussing and the opinion was equally divided between eh and she, for the simple reason, both he and she had said something in that story.
Regards,
N.Raghavan
[Edited at 2004-08-25 08:52] ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
Henry Hinds
Ameerika Ühendriigid
Local time: 13:15
inglise - hispaania
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER In memoriam | Gender and other considerations | Aug 25, 2004 |
My question about pseudonyms was not intended to specifically involve gender although that is one issue in identifying one's self or remaining anonymous. Perhaps gender could turn into another interesting thread and if someone wishes to start one, then feel free.
I think the main issue is how much the Internet, the faceless societies in which we often must live, the predominance of large organizations and perhaps a fear of the unknown can influence the way we present ourselves, how ... See more My question about pseudonyms was not intended to specifically involve gender although that is one issue in identifying one's self or remaining anonymous. Perhaps gender could turn into another interesting thread and if someone wishes to start one, then feel free.
I think the main issue is how much the Internet, the faceless societies in which we often must live, the predominance of large organizations and perhaps a fear of the unknown can influence the way we present ourselves, how we package it and what we do or do not let out.
If we all share one main characteristic it would seem that we tend to be very independent and individualistic but at the same time we have to deal with many forces we cannot control. That appears to be part of the very nature of our profession. We do not have much if any of the collective power that many other professionals have. Thus the only clout we can have is individual.
Does the use of a pseudonym (or not) have anything to do with all this? ▲ Collapse
| | | | sarahl (X)
Local time: 12:15
inglise - prantsuse
+ ...
| public vs private persona | Aug 25, 2004 |
another aspect a number of posters already mentioned is our multiple hats. We are professionals, self-employed (i.e companies), outsourcers on occasion, as well as private citizens. I think our companies fictitious names and/or our professional names -I use both- can help us keep all these people separate, and help us keep our sanity. Similarly, I use one room as an office in my house, the rest of the house is devoted to my personal life. I like to "feng shui" my roles the way I did my house.... See more another aspect a number of posters already mentioned is our multiple hats. We are professionals, self-employed (i.e companies), outsourcers on occasion, as well as private citizens. I think our companies fictitious names and/or our professional names -I use both- can help us keep all these people separate, and help us keep our sanity. Similarly, I use one room as an office in my house, the rest of the house is devoted to my personal life. I like to "feng shui" my roles the way I did my house.
Sarahl (my alias as a professional) ▲ Collapse
| | | | Williamson
Suurbritannia
Local time: 20:15
flaami - inglise
+ ...
| Carly Fiorina, Fred Smith and Bill Gates..... | Aug 25, 2004 |
Should HP forget its logo and called itself Carly Fiorina (CEO), FedEx forget its logo and call itself Fred Smith(CEO) and Microsoft forget its brand/logo and call itself Bill Gates (CEO) etc...? Or is your face your logo? Of course, no individual translator is as wealthy as the above-mentioned individuals.
But then again, they have a well-oiled money-making machine to support them whether they work or not.
| | | | | Teemakohased leheküljed: < [1 2 3] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Why a Pseudonym? | Trados Studio 2022 Freelance | The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.
Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop
and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
More info » |
| | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
