tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998896801371077929.post5755643689412831730..comments2023-05-30T10:07:44.851+02:00Comments on Language mystery: The legacy specialistVictor Dewsberyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342577630994069368noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998896801371077929.post-31325305141558560912011-03-07T12:30:31.879+01:002011-03-07T12:30:31.879+01:00Interesting, Victor, how life takes paths we canno...Interesting, Victor, how life takes paths we cannot predict, but that is one of its most enjoyable aspects. It also keeps one humble about assuming what will come next.<br /><br />A very large part of my translation work is in some way related to academic subjects I studied, hobbies or work experience. But once again, the distribution is not at all what I might have predicted. I was a research chemist for natural products, adhesives and silicones and a materials developer for medical application as well as a physics teacher, software developer and hobby farmer fixing an aging tractor and raising Romanov sheep. All of these things have brought in translation work over the past decade to a greater or lesser degree, but like you I found that a little legal background has proved to be the most useful in terms of attracting clients. While working on an advanced degree in chemistry at USC and working in industry, I decided to take a course in contract and tort law at USC law school since contracts and liability were issues discussed frequently at the research center where I worked. Later as a consultant, what I learned in this course became even more important, and as a translator I might be living on a diet of rice and stale bread at times without it. Or not. I think many people in the business world acquire a basic understanding of certain legal and regulatory issues in the course of their work (as you did), and formal study of the law is not a prerequisite for success here, however useful it may be.Kevin Lossnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14727800526216764023noreply@blogger.com