Web Theologian

There are numerous localization errors that are shared on the internet and everyone outside and within the industry have their favorites they like to share at a cocktail party. Though there are a few misconceptions (or myths) that I generally hear from people in this industry that are worth exposing over the next few days.

I ended up here by accident. Whenever a person begins to tell their story of how they ended up in localization it often can be summarized as one big mistake on the way to what they really wanted to do. That doesn’t matter if it was to be a translator, interpreter, entrepreneur, or software developer, they often will share how they have ended up here and…can’t get out.

I grew up in a family where both my father and grandfather had similar stories of how they ended up in their careers, my dad was an engineer that ended up a window cleaner and my grandfather was a veterinarian  that ended up a cattle trader. Both seemed to live with a ongoing regret about their careers even though each was remarkable at their jobs, provided for their families, and maintained a sold reputation in the communities they lived and worked.

As I have looked at how I ended up in localization, it is surprising and yet I know that I was born to be here. This is what every step in my professional career has led me to, and I am incredibly grateful for where it has led. For me I didn’t end up here by accident rather I was born for it.

Check out the next few posts on Misconceptions within Localization as I explore the following: the industry is insular, we are lagging regarding technology and there is no money.

I truly believe that everything that we do and everyone that we meet is put in our path for a purpose. There are no accidents; we’re all teachers – if we’re willing to pay attention to the lessons we learn, trust our positive instincts and not be afraid to take risks or wait for some miracle to come knocking at our door.

-Marla Gibbs