Lara Barnett Aug 28, 2015:

@ Adami I was not referring to "colloquial" speech, but with English texts there is a difference with formal writing and over-stuffy, high-flown langauge. I do understand the meaning of ""a efectua" but the asker had used an incorrect English term to translate it (as per other question ); all fluent English speakers would tell without hesitation that you cannot say "made/make a stage" as both terms are not used in this context (it means nothing) And you do not need to mirror use of structure "Verb + noun" if another sounds better.

I am not using other people's insecurities to make my point. My comment on "fellow countrymen" was part of the point I was making that language is a living thing, based on how its speakers are using it. As a native speaker who mixes with other "natives" every day of my life, I am fortunate engough to be in the position to pass my knowledge on to those who are natives in other languages and do not use English to the same level as the English do.

I apologise if this perhaps makes you feel insecure, this was not my intention. However, I am a professional translator working into English and it is also my job to put such translated meanings into words

adami Aug 27, 2015:

@LaraBarnett You are certainly free to use whatever methods you like in your translation, but please think twice before contradicting a peer only on account of what sounds right to you. This is not a sufficient argument and the only way to engage in a dispute is with arguments, otherwise it looks like pure hostility. There are a lot of things you are not considering here: one is that the asker most certainly did not want to know the meaning of ”a efectua”, so whatever verb you prefer, this is a non-essential point (it looks like nitpicking); 2. you were arguing that this verb in not very colloquial, forgetting that this isn't a colloquial, but a highly formal style. It also looks to me as if you are constantly trying to earn points by banking on the insecurity of non-native speakers with respect to your "fellow countrymen". But this way you also show insecurity. Being a native is not the only, or the utmost, quality of a good translator. Also, you should use your advantage of being a native translator among a sea of non-natives in a more ladylike way, if I may.

Lara Barnett Aug 27, 2015:

@ Adami If you choose to base frequency of use of a spoken, living, language on Google Hits that is your choice. I personally use my native understanding of how commonly I hear a word spoken. I agree that Google is a good way to research information and find common usage of language. However, we also have our knowledge and experience of the way our fellow countrymen speak and use our language. I am quite partial to this method. It could be that this term is widely used in USA. It is used in UK but always has an old-fashioned connotation to it.

With regard to google hits:

"serve as a volunteer" uk = 357,000 results
"work as a volunteer" uk = 392,000 results

I agree that either would work, but "serve" has a very stuffy air about it so maybe it would work better in a CV meant for stuffy type jobs. (no offence meant there of course).

adami Aug 27, 2015:

"asistent medical" ... means "nurse". Even if they both belong to the medical profession, taking care of old people in a nursing home is hardly the same thing as a medical internship.

Lara Barnett Aug 27, 2015:

@ Adami I did not say anything about nurses. However, in UK we see doctors and nurses as both belonging to the medical profession.