Translating the Zodiac: take our poll

Cloth showing Zodiac signs

We had a Twitter conversation a couple of weeks ago about Zodiac signs and the sort of character traits that make for good translators/editors. I thought it would be interesting — and fun — to see if there’s any correlation between a person’s zodiac sign and their choice of translation/editing as a career. So I’ve devised this scientifically and statistically rigorous (not!) poll to try to find out.

If you’re not a translator or editor, please take the second poll (you’ll need to scroll a bit — sorry!) so that we can compare the results.

Thank you!

Photo courtesy of Leo Reynolds

By Marian Dougan

Published by Marian Dougan

Marian is a translator and editor (specialising in web content) currently based in Glasgow, Scotland. Marian previously lived in Italy for over 20 years, working as a language teacher, translator and policy analyst with the British Embassy in Rome. A qualified member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and its Italian-language and ITI Scotnet networks, she is currently Scotnet's Convenor and Deputy Webmaster. From 2003 to 2006 Marian taught translation skills at the Italian Department of Glasgow University and now gives Master Classes as part of the new Masters in Translation Studies course. She also conducts web-writing and usability workshops to help people improve their websites and communicate more effectively with their readers, users and customers. In September 2014 Marian obtained User Experience Certification, with specialisation in Web Design, from the Nielsen Norman Group. She loves language, especially English, and is convinced that learning languages opens up people’s minds and horizons (and increases their brainpower!). To share her enthusiasm, she advises schools and educational authorities on language skills and enterprise. She gives talks to pupils on how to combine language studies with other subjects and so enhance their potential and increase their career options. Marian is an active member of organisations such as: Scottish Council Development and Industry (SCDI); Association of Scottish Businesswomen; Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Scotland. She also loves architecture, design, fashion (British Vogue!), cities and chocolate. She’s a great fan of Twitter and you can also find her on Linkedin.

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7 Comments

  1. I’m not a translator or editor, but my degree is in linguistics and education, and I’ve been teaching ESL and writing professionally for 15 years. I took the second poll because I don’t know if that’s close enough to editing, but it’s related. I don’t know a second language good enough to translate, but I know several enough to deal with day-to-day living in a place that speaks that language. I’m a Pisces (with my moon in Virgo and Scorpio rising, which tempers the Piscean wishy-washiness!)

    1. Thanks. Your profession’s pretty close to the translation/editing category, but the second poll’s probably more appropriate. It’ll be interesting to see the results once a few more people have taken part (10pm on a Saturday isn’t the best time to post a blog poll!)

  2. nice! would be interesting statistically if you’d add birthdates, -times and – places. Virgo in the lead is not surprising at all, sign of nitpickers 😉 and ruled by Mercury, who in turn rules language, communication and commerce.

    1. Thanks, Marga. Virgo is no longer in the lead, in spite of our nitpicking tendencies.I could probably have refined the poll with various parameters, but statistics aren’t my strong point!

  3. My husband and I have same birthday. I work in publishing but he works in engineering and is very much into computer programming. So as much as I like the idea of there being a link, I’m doubtful.

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