我時常在想，考上翻譯所的人都是什麼樣的人？他們的的個性、能力、夢想是什麼？而是不是一定要和他們一樣才能擠進這個小圈子？而我又為什麼想擠進這個小圈子呢？
I have been wondering, "what kinds of people can study in GITI? What are their personalities, abilities, and dreams like? Do I have to be the same to get into that coterie? And why do I want to get into it?"
前面說過，決定參加翻譯所考試是我人生做過最倉促的決定之一，從下定決心報考到考試，差不多只有三個月時間可以準備，我是圖個什麼得讓自己這麼度過地獄般的三個月？
As I mentioned, taking the GITI entrance exams is one of the hastiest decisions in my life. From making up my mind to the exam day, I only have three months to prepare. What am I seeking? Why do I have to make these three months a living hell?
準備避難去
2019年開始，新冠疫情造成全球情勢大變，許多人紛紛預測經濟會受到影響開始衰退，確實，某些產業首當其衝，但台灣視為命脈的科技電子產業似乎受惠於疫情期間對科技的仰賴，過去兩年表現不俗，身在台灣的我們，也安然度日，直到疫情陰霾逐漸過去，才發現前方有更大的風暴，因為後疫情時代，人們回歸實體，對科技產品需求下修，戰爭加上通膨，國際局勢逐漸緊張，全球化趨勢開始走回頭路，這一切都讓人意識到，你以為的很糟往往還有更糟，這是大局勢，你我都逃不了。我想，既然職場、商業界這麼難待，是時候回到學校養精蓄銳、充實自我了吧！這個理由乍聽之下冠冕堂皇，但我其實對此抱著避難心態，也就是我把學校當成難民營了，而這個難民營也跟戰爭的難民營一樣難進去。
COVID-19 has drastically changed the world since 2019. At that time, many people predicted that the economy would be affected and decline. Indeed, some industries were among the first to bear the brunt, but the technology industry, which is the backbone of Taiwan's economy, turned out to benefit from the pandemic and had a brilliant performance; therefore, we managed to get over the crisis. Not until the world got out from the dark of the pandemic did we spot a bigger storm before us. Because in the post-pandemic era, the demand for tech products has dropped. Wars, inflation and a tightened international situation have added fuel to the fire. Globalization is dying. All these events made me realize that there is always something worse waiting for you, and that it is a global trend that no one can resist. Therefore, given the harshness in the workplace, I think it is time to go back to the campus to recharge my batteries and enrich myself. It sounds like a compelling reason, but I am actually burying my head in the sand. I take the school as a shelter, and this shelter is as difficult to get in as a refugee camp.
師大今年的說明會上，有位學長直白地分享：「我就是找不到工作才來考翻譯所啊！」聽起來雖然有幾分臭屁，卻再真實不過了。
"The reason why I took the GITI exam was that I couldn't find a good job," frankly shared by a senior from NTNU. He sounded a little conceited but also very honest.
老實說，我並不認為這樣的心態是消極的，正是因為找不到好工作，認知到自我的不足，才會讓人萌生想進修的想法，這樣的心態總比失業的人成天嚷嚷世界不公平好上一百倍，我也秉持這樣的想法，努力準備到現在，我想這是一個強烈的動機，沒有好工作帶給你的危機感，驅使著你讀書，沒有好工作的經歷，讓你期待之後會有更好的發展，也許不能飛黃騰達，但總能讓自己更肯定自己。
In fact, I don't deem this kind of attitude negative. If one cannot find a good job, he or she will recognize their weak points and want to study. It is 100 times better than those who are unemployed and whine about the world's treating them unfairly every day, and it is a great motivation that has been propelling me. I expect a better future, and even though I might not have an astounding success, I will be more self-assured.
也許會有人好奇，那麼對於翻譯的熱愛呢，那難道不是準備考試的一大原因嗎？我想是的，只是我覺得這不需要過多著墨，因為這考試的強度自然會淘汰掉一大批對翻譯、語言、甚至求知沒那麼有熱忱的人，能下定決心準備翻譯所考試的人，我想都是熱愛這個行當的。
Some of you might doubt, "What about the passion for translation? Isn't that a primary motivation for taking the exams? I guess so, but it does not need much description since the difficult tests per se are going to eliminate a myriad of people who are less enthusiastic about translation, languages, and knowledge. I believe that whoever makes up thier mind to take the GITI exams has a great passion.
好動機、壞動機
出於「避難」、「找不到好工作」等理由，到底是不是好動機，我想就跟翻譯本身一樣，眾說紛紜，你覺得好的翻譯，也許別人認為咬文嚼字，你覺得好的動機，也許別人認為不夠強烈，這點我在職場有深刻體會，那些權位者總希望從你口中說出「他們的動機」，若說出口的不是他們順耳之言，便找個理由打發你，說你動機不明顯，聽起來再荒謬不過，因此動機好壞就留給大家自行斟酌，我也會自己斟酌，互不干擾。
Are "Refusing the facts" and "not being able to find a good job" good motivations? Theories abound just like translation itself. What you consider a good translation might be flowery to others. What you believe is a great motivation might as well seem weak to others. I had a deep understanding of it in the workplace. Those who are at the helm always want to hear "their motivations" from your mouth. If what you say is not pleasant enough, they will blow you off and tell you that you do not have a clear motivation, which is totally absurd. I will, therefore, leave it to your judgment. I will also assess myself. We will not interfere with each other.
