Yet more info needed :)

[Aussielion]

I have been writing to a lady from Karkov. She has been nice and there have been no red flags....until now.

She claims that she does not know english and that we will need a translator. Nothing wrong with this fact on its own. But....

I researched her name on VK (russian facebook) and found some interesting facts on her homepage. On her education page, she had this information...

College / University: KNU them. VNKarazin (formerly KSU them. Gorky) '10 Department: Foreign Languages Major: Translation and English Mode of Study: Full-time Status: Alumna (Master's)

College/University: ХНУ им. В. Н. Каразина (бывш. ХГУ им. Горького) '10 
Department: Иностранных языков 
Major: Перевода и английского языка 
Mode of Study: Full-time 
Status: Alumna (Master's) 

Judging by her education stats, would I be mistaken for thinking that they are the qualifications to be a TRANSLATOR? For someone who claims to not know english, would that be plausible to not know english yet study that course?

Does this go under the translation scam? How much should I expect to pay for a translator?

[ace131]

if she graduated from Karazin university and she graduated from department of foreign languages, she is English teacher and of course she can work as an interpreter. if she is real than deifinetely she does not need interpreter. 
it is also posssible that she was a part-time student and it is possible her English is not good.
there is other explanation of that. her major language was German or French and minor was English. so she can speak other language good but not English.
if not s secret what website have you found her?

ace131

[knighta]

Sometime ago on this forum I read a girl also claiming to not know English when in reality she actually did.  So the guy not knowing she knew English hired a translator and the translator made his responses better then they actually were when they were together.  If I knew where thread was I post but I don't.  There were also other things but I read it several months ago and have forgotten them.

[ace131]

if the lady insists on hiring her interpreter and you agree,then  i would advise you to hire an independant interpreter who would be on your side but not on side of the lady.
because in such cases many ladies use their agency interpreters.

[tfcrew]

How much should I expect to pay for a translator?

   I tend to think that if someone is in college level language courses,
they would already know or have access to individuals who have some degree of skills in translation there and would help for the sake of experience.

I could be mistaken though.
Best of luck...........
Karl

[tim 360]

You didn't mention where you found her.  If through an agency they might like to make some extra money.  How many letters have you exchanged so far?

[vwrw]

In your next letter to her, tell her about your education, major and degree, and then ask her about her education, major and degree. If she gives you the same information that you have read in her profile on facebook, you can ask her how come that you would need a translator.

If she gives you different information, then start talking about facebook and that you are a member on the site and that you spontaneously  decided to see if she has a profile on the site when you were last time on there. Then, tell her about your finding. Do not speak in accusatory tone; rather stress your confusion about your finding. She hardly will be offended if you do not accuse her of anything.

[tfcrew]

if the lady insists on hiring her interpreter and you agree,then  i would advise you to hire an independant interpreter who would be on your side but not on side of the lady. because in such cases many ladies use their agency interpreters.

Isn't this making this communication arrangement somewhat of a legal issue?
It seems hardly practical.

[Gator]

Hire an independent translator to translate your next letter. Suggest that she send her letter written in Russian to your interpreter for translation.

If sincere, she will find this helpful.

If this were a scam to make some extra money, she will drop you.

[Aussielion]

I have known her since August. She told me that her good friend is a translator but is not doing it atm as she just had a baby.
I found her on "Elenas Models".

Very good advice vwrw. In my last email to her, I told her my degree details and asked her about her past studies. This will tell tell me a lot.

In fact, a lot of trust has disappeared as she has made the claim that she needs a translator a few times. I'll wait and see.

Gator, Im not paying her a cent to have the letters translated. I'll probably end up hiring my own translator and she what she says.

[ML]

I am in Kharkiv now and will be here for another two weeks.
Send me her phone number and I will make a date with her for meal at McDonalds!  :-))

I will quickly determine her level of English and anything else you want to know.
My prices are reasonable!

[molly35ru]

Aussielion, sent you a PM...

[Daveman]

Something does sound a little fishy. I take it there are accompanying photos on the Facebook page which indicate the same lady (as opposed to same name.. for example there are probably at least 500 Elena Petrova's in Kharkov... perhaps at least 50 Elena Vladimirovna Petrova's).  Though if photos match then you have a bit of an enigma.  Also, many agencies to post profiles to EM. They cannot charge you translation fees as per normal, or any fee to communicate with a lady whose profile is posted on EM, but can and do want to charge fees for other services upon meeting.

My gut feeling is that something is obviously amiss -- that you are perhaps writing and exchanging letters with a local agency rep.  I take it you haven't spoken voice either by phone or Skype...  if not - why not? after two or three letters max you should be.  THAT is a red flag... first, that you didn't get her number at the beginning, and second that she hasn't wondered why in the hell you didn't. 

Anyway, lots of good advice up thread... take your time and answer your questions.

[Jumper]

I have been writing to a lady from Karkov. She has been nice and there have been no red flags....until now.

She claims that she does not know english and that we will need a translator. Nothing wrong with this fact on its own. But....

I researched her name on VK (russian facebook) and found some interesting facts on her homepage. On her education page, she had this information...

College / University: KNU them. VNKarazin (formerly KSU them. Gorky) '10 Department: Foreign Languages Major: Translation and English Mode of Study: Full-time Status: Alumna (Master's)

College/University: ХНУ им. В. Н. Каразина (бывш. ХГУ им. Горького) '10  
Department: Иностранных языков  
Major: Перевода и английского языка  
Mode of Study: Full-time  
Status: Alumna (Master's)  

Judging by her education stats, would I be mistaken for thinking that they are the qualifications to be a TRANSLATOR? For someone who claims to not know english, would that be plausible to not know english yet study that course?

Does this go under the translation scam? How much should I expect to pay for a translator?

bad luck .. as you seem to often have a string of questionable circumstances..
you've known her since august , it should have progressed to phone calls and skype.

with the luck you have had,
in the future  i wouldn't waste more than 4 weeks on anyone if you cant get to the point of talking to them directly ..


i'm not knocking your method at all ,it's the same thing most everyone does,,
but you seem to have had a run of bad luck and a lot of wasted time in "communications"..
especially over the course of 3 or 4 months with each woman.

You seem earnest in your search, yet can't pin anyone down to actually visit without odd circumstances or limited communication from their side..putting a hold on your plans..


For what its worth i guess i'm just not that patient, if things don't *click*,
 or jell very quickly in communications ,
(that means elevating  a bit each week ,towards phone ,or after a few weeks talks of a visit in person)then i feel they wouldn't likely  *click* in person and move on.


if you completely *click* in communications, i feel it's still 50/50 at best you will in person..


I don't think i've ever communicated with anyone more than 3 months that i din't visit by the 4th month..
nor communicate more than a couple weeks without direct phone conversations..
even in limited /halted russian.
 
if i don't see things building towards that.. it just seems time to move towards something more promising..

Granted some odd circumstances can arise ,and i dont' dwell on each one specifically ,,, its a more overall feel.
if somethings a little odd ,but its progressing normally ,that is ok,, to me worth the risk..

if overall its odd ,or not really progressing much..
then its time to try building  communications with someone more interested in me.


in this specific case , ther VK stuff's  an oddity , , that i'd ask her about..
also would  be open to what ever transpired( with radar on a bit)

and  certainly i'd already be looking to communicate with others ,as i would feel we should have already spoken directly to each other, and assessed such things as english level..

Hopefully your luck turns and you find someone genuinely interested in  communicating quickly and without the odd circumstances..

[Boethius]

The trust is already broken. 

Time to move on.

[Ravens9273]

Several factors could be at play here.

Just because she studied english does not mean she is comfortable with it. Just like anything it takes practice. If she did not pursue a career in english and not speaking it on a regular basis she may have lost a step and does not feel as if she can hold a conversation with you on her own.

Also many want a translator on a date for a reason. You are only a person she has communicated with in letters. She does not know you. Many ladies want translators with them for the security feeling. Translators also provide a way out of a bad meeting. Not everyone clicks in person. Translators serve a purpose to help end a date early if needed.

Now for the non serious lady (scam) translators serve a purpose as well

First is the obvious one. You are spending more money.
Secondly they are used to keep you from getting too touchy feely on the date. As the old saying goes 3 is a crowd. More likely you will not make a move or even try for a kiss with a translator right there.

[cppd508]

Interesting subject heading.  You are right more info is needed.  But it seems you are looking for the info from the wrong sources.  The info you need can only be found with you and the woman you are corresponding with.  Sure everyone here can give you opinions, but those really aren't the facts you need.  Some will say scam, others might say different.  I just recently returned from a trip, where I met with a woman that has pretty good English ability.  I talked to her on the phone before my visit several times, and thought she kept getting better with each call, and felt it was because she was becoming more comfortable with it.  When I went to visit her, she too said she wanted the assistance of a translator, but she was also clear that her reason was she felt a little nervous, and did not want to mess up.  The translator was with us for the first day, and the rest of the visit the woman felt comfortable without the need for a translator.

My advice to you, is first decide how much trust are you willing to give the woman you are communicating with.  Ask yourself, is what she is saying, making sense?  If you are unsure, then ask her questions.  Again, as someone said don't make accusations, but don't be afraid to ask for clarification.  Its interesting that this can also lead to two other things.  First, sometimes it leads to new topics of getting to know each other.  Second, sometimes it will put the woman ease, and make her more comfortable in asking you questions.  I have heard it said a couple times, don't let yourself become too paranoid.  Only you know what you feel and think.  That is the real info you need to follow.  I wish you luck in your search, though.

[Daveman]

I don't doubt that with some women a translator could possibly make them feel more at ease. I just haven't seen that personally. Of the women I've gone to meet (with varying levels of English skills) not one of them requested a translator nor wanted to meet me the first time with a friend in tow, or anything like that. Not even the one who barely spoke a lick of English and we depended mostly upon my (Heaven help us) Russian for communication.  I think after several months of communication together if she wants/needs some kind of "buffer", it's a little strange...  but that's just me.   

Is that more common than I thought it is?  :noidea:

[Eduard]

I have been writing to a lady from Karkov. She has been nice and there have been no red flags....until now.

She claims that she does not know english and that we will need a translator. Nothing wrong with this fact on its own. But....

I researched her name on VK (russian facebook) and found some interesting facts on her homepage. On her education page, she had this information...

College / University: KNU them. VNKarazin (formerly KSU them. Gorky) '10 Department: Foreign Languages Major: Translation and English Mode of Study: Full-time Status: Alumna (Master's)

College/University: ХНУ им. В. Н. Каразина (бывш. ХГУ им. Горького) '10 
Department: Иностранных языков 
Major: Перевода и английского языка 
Mode of Study: Full-time 
Status: Alumna (Master's) 

Judging by her education stats, would I be mistaken for thinking that they are the qualifications to be a TRANSLATOR? For someone who claims to not know english, would that be plausible to not know english yet study that course?

Does this go under the translation scam? How much should I expect to pay for a translator?

What's not to understand here? The woman was a full time student majoring in "translation and English Language" according to her Vkontakte profile. They usually don't lie on that site about their education since this site is basically made for people to keep in touch with their classmates. She graduates with the masters degree, and she needs an enterpretor? Many young women work for MOB agencies in Ukraine. Typically they don't even write letters. Their duties are to show up for photo sessions, take pics with the flowers when WM send flowers or gifts and in an event that a WM actually comes to Ukraine to meet him. They usually are obligated to have at least one date with him. The letters are usually written by staff translators. Each translator acts as a "supervisor" for a few women (the "brides") and strongly incurrages them to insist on using "their translator" in the event if the "Лох"= "sucker" shows up to meet with some "brides". This works out great for every one involved except for the WM off course. The translator makes money for all the letter writing and for translating live when a WM arrives. It is also important for the "brides" to have their translator there with them since they usually don't know anything (or know very little from a short description a translator would give them)about the man thery are meeting (remember, they don't do the corresponding part?) So if a "bride" asks an inappropriate question like "how is your dad doing (while his dad had passed away several years ago)", the translator, who knows the situation simply doesn't translate the question and replaces it with something more appropriate. So now you see how it is very important for a girl to have her agency translator with her on a date with a WM?
I hope this little bit of information helps you figure things out and make a decision.
Good luck,
Ed

[ML]

I don't doubt that with some women a translator could possibly make them feel more at ease. I just haven't seen that personally. Of the women I've gone to meet (with varying levels of English skills) not one of them requested a translator nor wanted to meet me the first time with a friend in tow, or anything like that. Not even the one who barely spoke a lick of English and we depended mostly upon my (Heaven help us) Russian for communication.  I think after several months of communication together if she wants/needs some kind of "buffer", it's a little strange...  but that's just me. 

My words echo those of Daveman; except I have practically zero Russian (I know maybe 50 words; but no sentences).  Very few asked for interpreter, and those were eliminated by me because I had told them before that I would not meet with someone where an interpreter was needed.

As side note: 

There is ongoing debate in Ukraine about having two official languages.  Yushenko pushed that aside, but it is now back on table with Yanokovich.  Now a member of Rada (parliament) has proposed having 3 official languages with the third being English.

Most I talked to here in Kharkiv thought that was a great idea; but I don't have a true cross sample.  I doubt the idea will go anywhere.

[Aussielion]

UPDATE

Hi,

The lady sent me a couple of emails back. She clams that her vk profile had been hijacked and has no access to it ) I know that is a crock of crap. She had put up new photos on "Elenas Models" last week and those same photos made it onto her webpage.
Within a few hours after I tried to add her on VK, her page was cheange to private access. She also has some classmates on that page and a frien of mine done a google search on her and came up with the info that she has had foreign language training. She said she has a degree in office management and that was changed by the hacker to foreign translation.


But...

she is quite prepared to use my choice of translator, my transport and my accomodation. If there is a scam, what angle is she playing at? I don't understand why she would lie about her qualifications.   

[ML]

Quite simple:  There are thousands of 'angles' to play.  When one is shut down, you regroup, push ahead and know that something else will pop up.

I am not making a judgement here on this particular gal.

But are you aware, there are probably 5,000 or so gals here that fit your bill perfectly??

One of my mid 40s gals told me she looked on dating site and realized she is competing with 40,000 women in this city alone.  Don't know exactly what screening she used.  Anyway, she just remarks it was a miracle that I wrote her and she is very happy that I did.

[Boethius]

But...

she is quite prepared to use my choice of translator, my transport and my accomodation. If there is a scam, what angle is she playing at? I don't understand why she would lie about her qualifications.   

You are asking the wrong question.  The question you should be asking is what is it about this particular woman that is so compelling, that you continue to be interested in her, notwithstanding (evidently) obvious lies. 

[Eduard]

UPDATE

Hi,

The lady sent me a couple of emails back. She clams that her vk profile had been hijacked and has no access to it ) I know that is a crock of crap. She had put up new photos on "Elenas Models" last week and those same photos made it onto her webpage.
Within a few hours after I tried to add her on VK, her page was cheange to private access. She also has some classmates on that page and a frien of mine done a google search on her and came up with the info that she has had foreign language training. She said she has a degree in office management and that was changed by the hacker to foreign translation.


But...

she is quite prepared to use my choice of translator, my transport and my accomodation. If there is a scam, what angle is she playing at? I don't understand why she would lie about her qualifications.   

So you actually met her through EM?

[Daveman]

You are asking the wrong question.  The question you should be asking is what is it about this particular woman that is so compelling, that you continue to be interested in her, notwithstanding (evidently) obvious lies. 

Absolutely agree with this.

If you know it's a crock of crap, the possible angles become pretty much irrelevant. 

If you are merely curious as to what the angle could be, I gotta tell ya, I have no real answer as to why she would be crock of crapping you other than possibly this.. you are not writing to the lady in the Facebook profile but rather someone who is using her photos and perhaps stealing them from her Facebook page ("perhaps" because, which came first? the photos on Facebook or the ones at EM).  That seems a very minute possibility due to the timing of changes after you confronted her.

If it actually is the same lady in both places... run like the wind in another direction.  If it's not the same lady... run like the wind in another direction.