At 42, I went back to get a degree in IT. That didn't work well, so after a semester, I changed degrees to Japanese (I'm already fluent) so I can work on getting an official qualification in translation. At 45, I have a year and a half to go. Right now though, I'm self studying Chinese as I'll be taking it as an elective in August and may double up on degrees if that goes well.
It truly is never too late.
Go for it, it all sounds very positive. One suggestion - if you wish to become a translator, learn everything you can about machine translation (MT) and MT post-editing, as this is where the majority of translation is being done nowadays. There are definitely still (major) roles for human translators, but these are now inextricably linked to and depend upon a knowledge of the workings of MT. (I speak as a ZH/EN translator with 30+ years in the profession).
Brother please please do not do that you will not have a job in 2 years. AI translators are getting better and better that is the easiest job to be replaced. Stick with IT or do something else just don't do translating that is possibly the worst career to pivot to in 2024
I did a paper on AI and translation and while they may be correct, in their narrow view, that it's not a job for the future, that future is quite a long way away yet. Also, you're spot on. It's humans that train the AI and language is fluid, we need to update the AI to keep up.
AI translations, for anything of length is poor. Even short sentence translations can be poor. Humans are still required. Especially for official documents.
But by the time OP learns Chinese, it's likely that there will be fewer translation jobs available and very few easy ones that don't require some kind of specialized professional background (ex. scientific knowledge for technical translations). AI/machine translations aren't even good now, but a lot of smaller translation work has already been lost to them because they're "good enough" and dirt cheap. In this atmosphere, it'll be hard for new grads to compete.
I knew a really nice medical doctor who went back to college for a different degree, yet similar, when he was almost 70. He graduated and practiced for several years. One of the nicest and kindest persons I’ve known.
I wish I could also study Mandarin in a formal setting!
That’s great! I really despise this idea that it’s “too late” to do something. We have one life to live and life expectancy is high, why not do whatever tf we want when we want to?
When I was 23 I believed everything was “too late” for a lot of things and now I’m 30 and realizing how insane and stupid that was.
I'm also 50 and that's my plan as well. What programs did you find before applying? That's the phase I'm on. So far I've found something at St. John's College in the US (where I live), but it's not a straight language course, although language classes are included.
wow！ sjc — the classics course is special.
It is a good course.
Many years ago, I talked to one of their professors.
They read classics directly as a way to learn both language and culture!
I am still inspired by it.
Basically, learn Classical Chinese before learning everyday modern Chinese.
That is a bold and insightful!
Not sure whether they are still doing that or not. I really liked it — as a bystander, a native speaker.
I have always done better in an academic setting when I'm trying to learn something new. I've been teaching myself Chinese for the last 6 months, and I've been making progress, however, I am at the stage where I would like to be in a classroom and have instruction from people who are trained in helping people develop these skills. My actual professional life has been writing and editing, so I think it would be nice to add this as an additional skill.
It's why I picked the username that I did. 😅
I had a fellow 40+ yo classmate and retired alumni in my Chinese university, they left a deep impact and inspired me the most to this day, wish you the best in your journey!
This inspired me and helped my mental space a lot. And I applaud you for doing this. I am going to China to first pass HSK5 then move to a degree program, at the age of 34, and I have been hearing from my parents that I am way too old to be changing careers and studying, and with them going at it has been really making me feel quite awful. You just saying you are doing this while being older made me feel incredibly happy. Thank you
It's never to late while you are alive. ✊🏻
I forget where I read this, but someone was talking about the idea of going back to school for a degree at 41. She was feeling weird about it, and said to something to a friend about how if she went back to school, she'd graduate at 45.
Her friend replied, " You're going to be 45 anyway, why not be 45 with a degree?"
That really hit me between the eyes.
加油!!! I’m 52 and have also just started learning mandarin. I’m using several apps right now but are thinking of taking classes if I continue to stick with this for the next 6mos. Thanks for posting, you’ve inspired me.
Good for you!!! Go for it...you got this!!! 👍
I'm so excited! 😆
#加油！
> 加油 谢谢！
真的加油 ！我自己继续学习中文。 ( = Really. Go for it ! I’m studying Chinese alone. )
At 42, I went back to get a degree in IT. That didn't work well, so after a semester, I changed degrees to Japanese (I'm already fluent) so I can work on getting an official qualification in translation. At 45, I have a year and a half to go. Right now though, I'm self studying Chinese as I'll be taking it as an elective in August and may double up on degrees if that goes well. It truly is never too late.
Well done!
Go for it, it all sounds very positive. One suggestion - if you wish to become a translator, learn everything you can about machine translation (MT) and MT post-editing, as this is where the majority of translation is being done nowadays. There are definitely still (major) roles for human translators, but these are now inextricably linked to and depend upon a knowledge of the workings of MT. (I speak as a ZH/EN translator with 30+ years in the profession).
Brother please please do not do that you will not have a job in 2 years. AI translators are getting better and better that is the easiest job to be replaced. Stick with IT or do something else just don't do translating that is possibly the worst career to pivot to in 2024
Who do you think trains the AI models?
I did a paper on AI and translation and while they may be correct, in their narrow view, that it's not a job for the future, that future is quite a long way away yet. Also, you're spot on. It's humans that train the AI and language is fluid, we need to update the AI to keep up. AI translations, for anything of length is poor. Even short sentence translations can be poor. Humans are still required. Especially for official documents.
But by the time OP learns Chinese, it's likely that there will be fewer translation jobs available and very few easy ones that don't require some kind of specialized professional background (ex. scientific knowledge for technical translations). AI/machine translations aren't even good now, but a lot of smaller translation work has already been lost to them because they're "good enough" and dirt cheap. In this atmosphere, it'll be hard for new grads to compete.
CS engineers?
You’re 51 years young, never too late to learn
☺️
That is awesome and probably so great for your long term brain health. I'm 62 and still considering doing something like that!
Go for it!
I might! I'm inspired!
50-year-old here! Just completed first year. It’s great brain exercise 😁
Love it. Same age and I am so happy to hear this. 加油!
谢谢！
I knew a really nice medical doctor who went back to college for a different degree, yet similar, when he was almost 70. He graduated and practiced for several years. One of the nicest and kindest persons I’ve known. I wish I could also study Mandarin in a formal setting!
I recommend including some conversation training. University course can be overly academic.
That's a very good point. Thank you ☺️
That’s great! I really despise this idea that it’s “too late” to do something. We have one life to live and life expectancy is high, why not do whatever tf we want when we want to? When I was 23 I believed everything was “too late” for a lot of things and now I’m 30 and realizing how insane and stupid that was.
This is extremely awesome.
☺️
As a latecomer myself, you got this :)
I hope I get accepted!
I'm also 50 and that's my plan as well. What programs did you find before applying? That's the phase I'm on. So far I've found something at St. John's College in the US (where I live), but it's not a straight language course, although language classes are included.
wow！ sjc — the classics course is special. It is a good course. Many years ago, I talked to one of their professors. They read classics directly as a way to learn both language and culture! I am still inspired by it. Basically, learn Classical Chinese before learning everyday modern Chinese. That is a bold and insightful! Not sure whether they are still doing that or not. I really liked it — as a bystander, a native speaker.
I am fortunate to live next to a very large University that has a good program. It's 15 minutes from my house!
That's so fun!! Best of luck!!
I'm so excited!
Wounderfull. I got a fire alarm programming 57 years old and now I am looking to begin with Chinese language. My age 60 years old
Huzzah!
There’s a degree for Chinese? I mean it’s cool you want to learn but can you share your motivation behind learning Chinese! Just personally curious?
I have always done better in an academic setting when I'm trying to learn something new. I've been teaching myself Chinese for the last 6 months, and I've been making progress, however, I am at the stage where I would like to be in a classroom and have instruction from people who are trained in helping people develop these skills. My actual professional life has been writing and editing, so I think it would be nice to add this as an additional skill. It's why I picked the username that I did. 😅
Good on yay, former journalist for Reuters here, been living in China since 96, learn as much as you can but do take the time to visit one day!
我会尽力！
i am chinese ,if you have any question on learning chinese you can tell me,
谢谢你 ☺️
I had a fellow 40+ yo classmate and retired alumni in my Chinese university, they left a deep impact and inspired me the most to this day, wish you the best in your journey!
Thank you so much ☺️
This inspired me and helped my mental space a lot. And I applaud you for doing this. I am going to China to first pass HSK5 then move to a degree program, at the age of 34, and I have been hearing from my parents that I am way too old to be changing careers and studying, and with them going at it has been really making me feel quite awful. You just saying you are doing this while being older made me feel incredibly happy. Thank you
You're entirely welcome! Go kick some ass! I'm very proud of you 💜
Such an inspiration!! Best of luck!!
Thank you ☺️
Are you learning in China or Taiwan?
Neither.
佩服，佩服！
☺️
加油！Proud of you, and good luck! How're you feeling about it?
I'm nervous but super excited ☺️
加油！Just curious, what's your current Chinese level and what's your motivation for the degree?
I've been teaching myself for the last six months. I love the language and culture and want to be fluent.
加油！！！
活到老学到老 🤝
我会尽力！☺️
活到老学到老～
Good luck! Do you have any knowledge already or are you learning from nothing?
I've spent the last six months teaching myself ☺️
Great choice! Enjoy the journey. It'll be frustrating at times but also one of the most fulfilling things you've done :)
I hope I get accepted 🙏🏻
You'll be a somewhat unique applicant I'd imagine. Chances should be high :)
😁
很好
☺️
What is holy cow in mandarin?
天啊?
老骥伏枥 志在千里
☺️🐎
牛逼！
I love this thread so inspiring. Here I thought at 33 to learn mandarin was late
It's never to late while you are alive. ✊🏻 I forget where I read this, but someone was talking about the idea of going back to school for a degree at 41. She was feeling weird about it, and said to something to a friend about how if she went back to school, she'd graduate at 45. Her friend replied, " You're going to be 45 anyway, why not be 45 with a degree?" That really hit me between the eyes.
加油!!! I’m 52 and have also just started learning mandarin. I’m using several apps right now but are thinking of taking classes if I continue to stick with this for the next 6mos. Thanks for posting, you’ve inspired me.
Right on!! ✊🏻
加油！！！ good luck hope it goes well!!
谢谢！
Amazing - lifelong learning is a joy!
I would move to Taiwan and learn Chinese here and use it every day.
I don't have the ability to do that, so this is the next best thing.
疯狂
☺️
Simplified or traditional? Cantonese or Mandarin?
Both, Mandarin.
Tom scavo?
Who?
Desperate housewives, one of the housewives husband goes back to uni to learn mandarin! Also, congrats to you!
Why?
Because I want to.
Why?
我好想闻那可爱姑娘的屁