| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: How much CPD (Continuing Professional Development) do you undertake per year? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How much CPD (Continuing Professional Development) do you undertake per year?".
This poll was originally submitted by Angus Stewart. View the poll results »
| | | | Tatty 
Local time: 11:07
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Still specialising | Mar 5, 2013 |
I'm still working on my specialisations, so I spend a considerable amount of time on CPD, about 7 weeks a year. I'm trying to add a language to my combination also, so I need to find time for that too.
| | | | Tim Drayton
Cyprus
Local time: 12:07
Turkish to English
+ ...
I try to put in a couple of hours every day, except at times when I am working flat out and do not have the time to spare.
PS - A lot depends on what you mean by CPD. Does scanning through newspapers on line in one's source language count?
| | | | Ty Kendall
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:07
Hebrew to English
| Does doing anything in one's source language count? | Mar 5, 2013 |
If so, then probably 100s of hours a year.....
Isn't translation itself really CPD? The more translation you do, the more experienced you get.
I'd argue that's at least as valuable as learning a bit of vocabulary, reading some relevant journals, reading about translation etc.
Note: I live in my target language country so I feel less need to do anything CPD-ish related to English really.
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 11:07
Spanish to English
+ ...
Nothing formal.
According to Wikipedia, "CPD can involve any relevant learning activity, whether formal and structured or informal and self-directed"... so if hands-on translation and related activities count, then "a little each day" would be my answer.
| | | | XXXphxxx (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:07
Portuguese to English
+ ...
Tim Drayton wrote:
PS - A lot depends on what you mean by CPD. Does scanning through newspapers on line in one's source language count?
See the IOL's summary below. Perhaps the large number that have voted "None" so far aren't fully aware of the meaning of the term. Frankly, you'd be hard pushed to avoid any CPD!
- Attending language workshops and courses
- Reading foreign language newspapers and periodicals
- Reading foreign language literature
- Reading relevant professional publications
- Listening to relevant foreign language radio and/or TV programmes
- Participating in conferences, workshops, seminars and lectures
- Attending trade fairs and exhibitions
- Reading publications related to professional specialism e.g education,
business or chosen specialist subject area for translators and interpreters)
- Learning to use new software packages (through self-study or training courses)
- Learning administrative/office management skills (through self-study or training courses)
ETA: I might add that CPD is something most professionals have been doing since time immemorial. We're just baffling people with jargon.
[Edited at 2013-03-05 11:16 GMT]
| | | | Suzan Hamer
Netherlands
Local time: 11:07
English
+ ...
| With Ty and Lisa | Mar 5, 2013 |
Ty Kendall wrote:
Isn't translation itself really CPD? The more translation you do, the more experienced you get.
"Translating should be an enriching intellectual experience and you should end a job as a different person." (Danilo Nogueira)
Lisa Simpson wrote:
Frankly, you'd be hard pushed to avoid any CPD!
I live in my source language country, so I am constantly developing my understanding and vocabulary. Likewise with my target language: I read, speak and hear it every day, so always developing there also. I'd say the day I stop using language is the day I stop developing professionally.
[Edited at 2013-03-05 09:45 GMT]
[Edited at 2013-03-05 11:29 GMT]
| | | | | Where is the option for 'I've no idea?' | Mar 5, 2013 |
I am simply not that systematic.
If the regional professionals run a good day course - or three - in a year, I might take them all. Some years they all seem to be repeats... If I really have to, I go to Copenhagen, which costs almost as much as flying to London from here... I do that too, if there is really something interesting, and combine the trips with visits to friends.
I pick up relevant books and read a chapter when I have time, on both my source and target langu... See more I am simply not that systematic.
If the regional professionals run a good day course - or three - in a year, I might take them all. Some years they all seem to be repeats... If I really have to, I go to Copenhagen, which costs almost as much as flying to London from here... I do that too, if there is really something interesting, and combine the trips with visits to friends.
I pick up relevant books and read a chapter when I have time, on both my source and target languages. At my age it is definitely necessary! I keep my eyes and ears open for articles and programmes on language, but some prove more relevant than others, so I don't know how much they count.
As Ty says, simply translating necessitates a certain amount of research into the subject matter and gathering experience. I fill out gaps if I can, make glossaries and link up fragments. Some things get forgotten, of course!
An hour or two a week on average? Again, what counts and what does not? ▲ Collapse
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Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 18:07
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| Cannot calculate... | Mar 5, 2013 |
...since it's ongoing and so is unquantifiable.
Like Neilmac, I'd venture to say "lots every day."
And like Suzan, I live in my source language country, too. So, my Japanese is continually improving because I'm fully immersed in it to the point that I can subsconsciously pick up on any new linguistic changes and developments.
Also, as a tech translator, I go to product orientations, visit factories, showrooms and tradeshows, and have direct access to engineers who... See more ...since it's ongoing and so is unquantifiable.
Like Neilmac, I'd venture to say "lots every day."
And like Suzan, I live in my source language country, too. So, my Japanese is continually improving because I'm fully immersed in it to the point that I can subsconsciously pick up on any new linguistic changes and developments.
Also, as a tech translator, I go to product orientations, visit factories, showrooms and tradeshows, and have direct access to engineers who have in a lot of cases written or co-authored the stuff I translate. My knowledge is always growing and expanding -- very much like the Universe.  ▲ Collapse
| | | | Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 10:07
I am happy to do as many hours a day of CPD as per IOL's summary shared by Lisa as I can manage, so long as no one makes me document and prove my every move!
My answer: No idea, but it must be quite a lot.
Edited to complete the first clause.
[Edited at 2013-03-05 13:47 GMT]
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The world we translate about, our source and target languages (terms, patterns of usage, obsolescence, etc.), and the translation industry move, so you need to keep up. To say nothing of enhancing your skills.
| | | | David Wright
Austria
Local time: 11:07
German to English
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| What happened to "Other" | Mar 5, 2013 |
like: What exactly do you mean by CPD? Every job I do is a form of professional development but I certainly wouldn't waste my time doing any sort of formal courses or what have you!
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Angus Stewart
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:07
Member (2011)
French to English
+ ...
Lisa Simpson, MCIL wrote:
Perhaps the large number that have voted "None" so far aren't fully aware of the meaning of the term. Frankly, you'd be hard pushed to avoid any CPD!
In common with Lisa, I am surprised by the high percentage indicating that they don't undertake any CPD! That is certainly an interesting finding, since ITI recommend a minimum target of 30 hours.
In my previous profession, the type of CPD and when it had to be completed was very heavily subscribed. Accordingly, I find that one of the great advantages of being a translator is the broad definition of what counts as CPD, coupled with the flexibility to undertake the type of CPD that most reflects my needs, or inclinations at any given time.
Like Tatty, I'm currently trying to learn a new language so that accounts for a lot of time. On top of that I subscribe to a couple of professional journals to keep my subject knowledge up to date and attend webinars from time to time, when I find a subject that takes my interest.
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Does hanging out in my source languages on Facebook count?
| | | | Emma Goldsmith
Spain
Local time: 11:07
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
| Wasting/investing time | Mar 5, 2013 |
David Wright wrote:
I certainly wouldn't waste my time doing any sort of formal courses or what have you!
I don't waste my time either... I invest it learning more about my subject field, translation technologies and writing skills.
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