Comments on: Translator Flow http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/2009/01/22/translator-flow/ Random scribbling about programming, translation, and Japan Thu, 10 May 2012 05:41:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Ryan Ginstrom http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/2009/01/22/translator-flow/comment-page-1/#comment-552 Ryan Ginstrom Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:23:55 +0000 http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/?p=810#comment-552 @Mykhailo Good point! I also notice that when I'm in the flow, it's like I'm riding shotgun to my own brain. Maybe there's something similar going on here, having to do with stepping outside yourself. @Mykhailo

Good point! I also notice that when I’m in the flow, it’s like I’m riding shotgun to my own brain. Maybe there’s something similar going on here, having to do with stepping outside yourself.

]]> By: Mykhailo http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/2009/01/22/translator-flow/comment-page-1/#comment-549 Mykhailo Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:17:36 +0000 http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/?p=810#comment-549 Thanks for the post. I have something to add too. :) Sometimes, when I get down to work, it seems an ordeal. I also noticed that when I look at somebody working, it seems to me that the work is so simple and that I could do it quicker (just let me sit down and do the job). That's why in cases when the work seems an ordeal, I try to look at myself working from outside. The main thing is to relax, not to be on the nerve, and you'll surf the flow! ;) Thanks for the post.
I have something to add too. :)
Sometimes, when I get down to work, it seems an ordeal.
I also noticed that when I look at somebody working, it seems to me that the work is so simple and that I could do it quicker (just let me sit down and do the job).
That’s why in cases when the work seems an ordeal, I try to look at myself working from outside. The main thing is to relax, not to be on the nerve, and you’ll surf the flow! ;)

]]> By: Mr Stark http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/2009/01/22/translator-flow/comment-page-1/#comment-550 Mr Stark Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:16:49 +0000 http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/?p=810#comment-550 Mr Ginstrom, I would very much like to correspond with you. It would be valuable to me if you could contact me. There is much to discuss. Such as the past and the future of flow. I have WRESTLED with this for quite some time. Sincerely, Joshua Stark Mr Ginstrom, I would very much like to correspond with you. It would be valuable to me if you could contact me. There is much to discuss. Such as the past and the future of flow. I have WRESTLED with this for quite some time.

Sincerely,

Joshua Stark

]]> By: Neculai Amalinei http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/2009/01/22/translator-flow/comment-page-1/#comment-545 Neculai Amalinei Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:56:53 +0000 http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/?p=810#comment-545 Dear Mr.Ryan Ginstrom, I am truly amazed by the complexity of your blog and by the simple, deep and straight person behind it. Generally it is difficult to write about this issue, let's call it 'state of things' unless one lives and feels it. And you both live and feel this 'flow'. Moreover you can transmit it to other people as a lighthouse shows the way through darkness. Although I am only a beginner in the field of Japanese Studies, please, I would be very honored if I you agree to stay in correspondence with me. Sincerely yours, Neculai Dear Mr.Ryan Ginstrom,

I am truly amazed by the complexity of your blog and by the simple, deep and straight person behind it.

Generally it is difficult to write about this issue, let’s call it ‘state of things’ unless one lives and feels it.
And you both live and feel this ‘flow’. Moreover you can transmit it to other people as a lighthouse shows the way through darkness.

Although I am only a beginner in the field of Japanese Studies, please, I would be very honored if I you agree to stay in correspondence with me.

Sincerely yours,

Neculai

]]> By: Kevin Lossner http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/2009/01/22/translator-flow/comment-page-1/#comment-551 Kevin Lossner Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:14:30 +0000 http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/?p=810#comment-551 This sounds very familiar. Another thing which I would add is the importance of people in your environment understanding and respecting the need for concentration. I work very strange hours: neighbors are long since accustomed to seeing the lights on in the office at 3 am. This is a habit developed over decades, because when I used to do a lot of programming work in my home office - another task requiring great concentration - I was interrupted throughout the day by my then-wife, who felt an obsessive need to tell me jokes and impart other "important" information, even when I had requested a period of time alone in my closed office to work. Each time, the carefully conceived program structure in my mind was obliterated, and I had to start rebuilding it from the ruins. Though the situation isn't as extreme usually in my translating tasks, I do find that sharing an office as I do now can be challenging if the other person needs frequent help or feedback while one is working on a difficult text. But I also find that with good communication and respectful quiet when it is requested, this shared environment can also be very good at breaking linguistic logjams and getting back the "flow". Like many things, it is a matter of balance. This sounds very familiar. Another thing which I would add is the importance of people in your environment understanding and respecting the need for concentration. I work very strange hours: neighbors are long since accustomed to seeing the lights on in the office at 3 am. This is a habit developed over decades, because when I used to do a lot of programming work in my home office – another task requiring great concentration – I was interrupted throughout the day by my then-wife, who felt an obsessive need to tell me jokes and impart other “important” information, even when I had requested a period of time alone in my closed office to work. Each time, the carefully conceived program structure in my mind was obliterated, and I had to start rebuilding it from the ruins. Though the situation isn’t as extreme usually in my translating tasks, I do find that sharing an office as I do now can be challenging if the other person needs frequent help or feedback while one is working on a difficult text. But I also find that with good communication and respectful quiet when it is requested, this shared environment can also be very good at breaking linguistic logjams and getting back the “flow”. Like many things, it is a matter of balance.

]]> By: Judy Jenner http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/2009/01/22/translator-flow/comment-page-1/#comment-546 Judy Jenner Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:17:33 +0000 http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/?p=810#comment-546 I completely agree with your comment on incorporating exercise and taking breaks. As a former competitive tennis player (=my previous life), I know that recovery is essential to performance. I work out once a day and get up from the computer at least once every hour. It really helps me clear my head and it's also good for my eyes (and my dog, who likes to get petted, and my clothes, which like to get folded). I also find that I am much more in the flow (tennis analogy: in the zone) when I am working on a project I am truly passionate about. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to develop the passion (it's then when the pushing-yourself-endurance comes in), but it's worth the extra efforts. And it is so true: some days feel like pulling teeth. I might blog on the translation/exercise importance soon; you inspired me! I completely agree with your comment on incorporating exercise and taking breaks. As a former competitive tennis player (=my previous life), I know that recovery is essential to performance. I work out once a day and get up from the computer at least once every hour. It really helps me clear my head and it’s also good for my eyes (and my dog, who likes to get petted, and my clothes, which like to get folded). I also find that I am much more in the flow (tennis analogy: in the zone) when I am working on a project I am truly passionate about. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to develop the passion (it’s then when the pushing-yourself-endurance comes in), but it’s worth the extra efforts. And it is so true: some days feel like pulling teeth. I might blog on the translation/exercise importance soon; you inspired me!

]]> By: Procrastination and flow « Musings from an overworked translator http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/2009/01/22/translator-flow/comment-page-1/#comment-548 Procrastination and flow « Musings from an overworked translator Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:21:37 +0000 http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/?p=810#comment-548 [...] practices, Random musings, Translation. trackback Ryan at the GITS Blog has a fabulous post on Translator Flow. Rather than me summarize his insights, I encourage you to check it [...] [...] practices, Random musings, Translation. trackback Ryan at the GITS Blog has a fabulous post on Translator Flow. Rather than me summarize his insights, I encourage you to check it [...]

]]> By: Jill http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/2009/01/22/translator-flow/comment-page-1/#comment-547 Jill Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:39:11 +0000 http://ginstrom.com/scribbles/?p=810#comment-547 This is so true, Ryan. I have never really thought about it, but you are spot on with your analysis. There are days when I am "in the flow" and it just comes naturally - and then there are days when I can't put a sentence together without struggling. Luckily I have more of the former than the latter. And truer words were never spoken about interruptions breaking the flow. I couldn't put it any better myself. Great post! This is so true, Ryan. I have never really thought about it, but you are spot on with your analysis. There are days when I am “in the flow” and it just comes naturally – and then there are days when I can’t put a sentence together without struggling. Luckily I have more of the former than the latter. And truer words were never spoken about interruptions breaking the flow. I couldn’t put it any better myself. Great post!

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