Preferred languages OTHER THAN English

[#1]

Sorry for bringing this up for the umpteenth time, but I keep seeing this at least twice a day:

The problem: the clients I am talking about are all seeking a GERMAN NATIVE SPEAKER.

Most clients selecting this preference want to stress the fact that the language proficiency should be that of a native speaker of whatever language they need.

I cannot believe that, after all this time, this still is an issue. Upwork, you cater to clients that need linguistic and translation services from all over the world. And what about the location preference bug I raised last week where the system said I wasn't based in Germany? That's showing prospects 2 red flags on my profile that shouldn't be there.

This platform doesn't just cater to US and other English-speaking clients. But it sure feels that way.

ETA: I am saying this as a German editor and translator. Of course, this doesn't apply to other areas where people are, in fact, seeking native English speakers.

[#2]

Hi Ela,

Please note that it's in the client's discretion to include the language preference you noted and in your case, will be able to see that you're not a native English speaker but can check your proficiency in German on your profile. I'll share this feedback and the rational for including additional languages with our team. 

Regarding the location preference issue, our team identified the cause and is working on fixing it. We'll post an update on the original thread once we receive a confirmation from Engineering. We apologize for the frustration this is causing you and other freelancers based in Europe but would like to reiterate that you can still submit proposals for these jobs and clients will be able to see that you're based in Europe.

[#3]

Sometimes translation clients seek contractors who are native in their source language. This is due to the ignorance of how translation works. There is not much that Upwork can do about this, but translators who are native in their target language (professional translators) can still apply.

[#4]

Rene is spot on. I can translate six European languages to English; from English to any of them would not meet professional standards. Rene has read my German, and can testify (loudly) to that.

There's a potential downside to mentioning languages in the job post. I posted an engineering job and indicated in the text that English or Spanish was fine. I got a response from an Argentine translator.

[#5]

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undefined:

Rene is spot on. I can translate six European languages to English; from English to any of them would not meet professional standards. Rene has read my German, and can testify (loudly) to that.

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I don't think I ever read your German and even if I had, I wouldn't be able to say anything about it since I don't speak a single word of German. I would certainly give you five starts for your German based on the length of the words being used. I love German for its long words.

[#6]

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@Bill H wrote:

Rene is spot on. I can translate six European languages to English; from English to any of them would not meet professional standards. Rene has read my German, and can testify (loudly) to that.

There's a potential downside to mentioning languages in the job post. I posted an engineering job and indicated in the text that English or Spanish was fine. I got a response from an Argentine translator.

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Um, no, not really when the job has to do with languages (editing, writing, translating, etc.)

And that is what I am referring to.

[#7]

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@Rene K wrote:

Sometimes translation clients seek contractors who are native in their source language. This is due to the ignorance of how translation works. There is not much that Upwork can do about this, but translators who are native in their target language (professional translators) can still apply.

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Funnily enough, none of the clients I queried about this were actually looking for native speakers in the source language...

Of course, I can still apply - that is not the point I am making.

[#8]

**Edited for Community Guidelines**

ETA: I say this as a German editor and translator. Of course, this does not apply to other fields where people are actually looking for native English speakers

[#9]

I am still scratching my head 

[#10]

Upwork, a popular freelancing platform, supports a wide range of languages other than English. These languages are used by freelancers and clients from various parts of the world to communicate and collaborate on projects. Some of the preferred languages on Upwork, besides English, include:

1. Spanish (Español)
2. French (Français)
3. German (Deutsch)
4. Portuguese (Português)
5. Italian (Italiano)
6. Russian (Русский)
7. Chinese (中文)
8. Japanese (日本語)
9. Arabic (العربية)
10. Dutch (Nederlands)

These languages are commonly used for communication, project requirements, documentation, and other aspects of freelance work on the Upwork platform. However, it's important to note that the availability of projects and demand for specific languages  may vary based on client requirements and the nature of the work.

[#11]

It's important to emphasize that the client holds the final decision when it comes to considering the language preferences you've noted. In your specific case, it might become evident to them that English is not your native language. However, your proficiency in German is a valuable asset that you can proudly highlight on your profile. I'll make sure to convey this feedback to our team, providing them with a comprehensive explanation of the advantages of including additional languages for freelancers.

Regarding the issue related to location preference, our diligent team has successfully pinpointed the root cause and is currently actively engaged in addressing and resolving it. We're committed to delivering a solution promptly. As soon as we receive confirmation from our Engineering department, we will ensure to keep you updated via the original thread. We genuinely apologize for any frustration this situation may have caused you and other talented freelancers in Europe. Nevertheless, it's important to note that you can still submit your proposals for these jobs, and clients will have the opportunity to acknowledge your European base, ensuring a fair evaluation of your proposals. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to enhance your experience on our platform.

[#12]

Clients often seek German native speakers, emphasizing proficiency. It's concerning that this issue persists on Upwork, a platform serving a global clientele. Additionally, the location preference bug exacerbates the problem. Upwork should address these issues for inclusivity.