Translators, you are going to be judged on the quality of your English, regardless of what your target language is. So here is a big tip to help you win over project managers and get more work.
TIP 1: Never address an email “Dear Sirs”
1. If you are responding to an email from an individual, and you have his/her name, then use it.
2. “Dear Sirs” is considered dated in both the UK and the US. We have something called feminism here, yes, I know it didn’t reach all countries, but we are paying your invoice, so adapt. Really “Dear Sirs” should be deleted from all English-language textbooks. If you are teaching your students “Dear Sirs”, it sounds like you have not had any contact with the UK since 1945, because the presumption that only men can read and only men are important enough to receive letters no longer exists. If you are a translator and you don’t know that “Dear Sirs” is dated, then I worry about your ability as a translator.
3. I realise that my forename is unusual, but a quick Google would have revealed that I am most definitely female, so “Dear Madam” would have been correct, but impolite, given that I signed my email with my name, so you know it.
4. I hate to break it to you, but a good deal of project managers in the UK are female, and a good proportion of these females are going to be p*ssed off with “Dear Sirs” as well, so yet again, feminism or no feminism in your target market, don’t do it.
If you don’t believe me, check out this post.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
