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Silas Thorne's Journal

Beginning at the End

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by
Silas Thorne
, 05-19-2013 at 11:03 PM (15634 Views)
So, I've finished my PhD in Chinese. I've submitted it, done my defence, and after a few minor edits over the next few weeks, I'll be a Doctor of Rambling Somewhat Coherently about my field of expertise.

But it's really only a beginning for me. I'm a late starter, and have lots to do. After the edits, I've got some translation work to do, technical manuals, from English TO Chinese. Then looking for work, doing international business, there's lots of things on my plate.

The poetry never really left, just never came here. There are scrolls with wild scrawlings on them awaiting my attention. Something will come soon.

I need to return to my poetry lunchbreaks, my mind is starving without them.

Later,
Silas
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  1. kittypaws's Avatar
    If I may ask....why Chinese?

    And you should continue your lunch breaks of poetry! it keeps us all well fed.

    kittypaws
  2. cafolini's Avatar
    I think that a lot of work is needed in translating Chinese to English. Those manuals that come to occident are often funny. Without telling you how, where or when to do it, the Chinese have a mania for saying simply "don't abuse machine. Needs lubrication."
  3. Silas Thorne's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by kittypaws
    If I may ask....why Chinese?

    And you should continue your lunch breaks of poetry! it keeps us all well fed.

    kittypaws
    Oh hi, you are still around Kitty Paws!

    There are several reasons for starting Chinese. One of them was Jackie Chan and 'Police Story', although he never really used much Mandarin at that time. There was also the music of the poetry of Li Bai, the philosophy, the strategy, and the ancient history of the country. And of course, women.

    OK, I'll drop in when I have something good to share.
  4. Silas Thorne's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by cafolini
    I think that a lot of work is needed in translating Chinese to English. Those manuals that come to occident are often funny. Without telling you how, where or when to do it, the Chinese have a mania for saying simply "don't abuse machine. Needs lubrication."
    The problem is usually that too much use is made of poor translation software from Chinese to English without consulting a native speaker or a Chinese native with excellent English. Plus, to translate technical material, you not only need to be very competent in both languages, you also need to have an understanding of how to express it in the terminology of the field concerned.

    The worst translations are usually in places where there are few foreigners, and there there are direct computer translations of whole passages, which are sometimes very funny. Computer translation can be really helpful a little bit at a time, but plug a whole paragraph in and you'll get a whole lot of mixed linguistic gibberish.
  5. Virgil's Avatar
    Congratulations! That is quite an accomplishment. Now you've joined the club of pointy headed elites. Only kidding. Best of luck on whatever you intend to do with it.
  6. Silas Thorne's Avatar
    Thanks Virgil!
  7. Buh4Bee's Avatar
    Nice to hear that you are through. Much respect to you for the work you have done.
  8. YesNo's Avatar
    Congratulations on your doctorate.
  9. Silas Thorne's Avatar
    Thanks, Buh4Bee and YesNo. It is really just a beginning for me, but it was a lot of work.
  10. Buh4Bee's Avatar
    What are you going to do next?
  11. Silas Thorne's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Buh4Bee
    What are you going to do next?
    Looking for positions, writing articles, attending academic conferences, attending business conferences...and trying to keep some time to write and read poetry.
  12. hannah_arendt's Avatar
    Congratulations and Good luck I am really impressed