Poll: I know at least 1 colleague who has transitioned out of the industry in the last year (not retired).
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jul 15

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "I know at least 1 colleague who has transitioned out of the industry in the last year (not retired).".

This poll was originally submitted by Jared Tabor. View the poll results »



 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 15:54
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
True Jul 15

I can’t say with any certainty exactly how many translators have left the profession, but as a ‘frequent flyer’ on Proz, I miss many colleagues who no longer appear in the Quick Polls and Forums.

Luca Adie
WolfgangS
Philippe Etienne
Maria Laura Curzi
Daryo
SandraV
expressisverbis
 
texjax DDS PhD
texjax DDS PhD  Identity Verified
Local time: 10:54
Member (2006)
English to Italian
+ ...
This is not really a matter of "true" or "false" Jul 15

"False" is not the correct opposite here: not knowing anyone who has left the industry does not mean that nobody has left. It only reflects a person's own awareness or network.

The question should be about whether respondents know anyone who has transitioned out, rather than asking them to classify a statement as true or false. A more accurate way to frame the question would be: "Do you know of any colleagues who have transitioned out of the industry in the last year?" with answer
... See more
"False" is not the correct opposite here: not knowing anyone who has left the industry does not mean that nobody has left. It only reflects a person's own awareness or network.

The question should be about whether respondents know anyone who has transitioned out, rather than asking them to classify a statement as true or false. A more accurate way to frame the question would be: "Do you know of any colleagues who have transitioned out of the industry in the last year?" with answer choices reflecting personal knowledge (e.g., "Yes, one," "Yes, more than one," "No, I don't know of anyone," etc.).

The current wording risks confusing a lack of personal knowledge with the absence of such a trend.

[Edited at 2026-07-15 18:24 GMT]
Collapse


writeaway
Philip Lees
Angie Garbarino
Lingua 5B
 
Matthias Brombach
Matthias Brombach  Identity Verified
Germany
Dutch to German
+ ...
German translators.... Jul 15

...never would admit to be forced out of the translation "industry" due to AI. Don't ask their colleagues, ask their neighbours!

 
Daryo
Daryo
Local time: 15:54
Serbian to English
+ ...
You meant to way **walked out**? Jul 15

Or being subjected to **constructive dismissal** as they would say in UK?

Never mind me, just nitpicking about terminology - as it would change the growing number of translators who **quit** translating ...

Or more optimistically **moved to greener pastures** ...


Jorge Payan
 
Lingua 5B
Lingua 5B  Identity Verified
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 16:54
English to French
+ ...
AI 08:20

texjax DDS PhD wrote:

"False" is not the correct opposite here: not knowing anyone who has left the industry does not mean that nobody has left. It only reflects a person's own awareness or network.

The question should be about whether respondents know anyone who has transitioned out, rather than asking them to classify a statement as true or false. A more accurate way to frame the question would be: "Do you know of any colleagues who have transitioned out of the industry in the last year?" with answer choices reflecting personal knowledge (e.g., "Yes, one," "Yes, more than one," "No, I don't know of anyone," etc.).

The current wording risks confusing a lack of personal knowledge with the absence of such a trend.

[Edited at 2026-07-15 18:24 GMT]


They might have let AI frame the question?


 


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Poll: I know at least 1 colleague who has transitioned out of the industry in the last year (not retired).






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