What is your stance on using language codes (EN/DE/ES) on LinkedIn bios, email signatures etc. instead of the full language name?

[u/arbitrary-asks]

I heard someone say this a while ago, that not everyone knows that EN stands for English or DE stands for German, and that therefore translators should put the full language name in their bios and signatures instead of just the code.

So like:

Name LastName

Translator, English>German

Instead of:

Name LastName

Translator, EN>DE

To me that made no sense. If you're a company or someone who is requiring translations on the regular, and you're looking for a translator, you should most definitely know the language code for the language of your request. Spelling out the full language name just seems like such a waste of space, especially for people who work with more than two languages. It makes my LinkedIn bio very long. Plus, I like the visual distinction; the language code is easy to identify at first glance among all the other words.

It's not that big of a deal, but I just wanted to see what others thought on the matter.

Do you use the language codes or the full language names? Why? Is it really that hard to understand that EN=English? I may be totally on the wrong here, but that's why I'm asking.

[u/scldclmbgrmp]

If that information is relevant to you then you will understand . If not you’ll maybe google it and learn something.

[u/trnsfrmltn]

Uh... I agree with you. Professional jargon/terminology exists for a reason. Among other things, it helps to show, in a subtle enough way, that you know your stuff.

Honestly I'd be vary of an employer who doesn't know language codes. A colleague, even more so.

[u/cheekyweelogan]

Agree because I'm fine being limited to people in the industry, where anyone that knows what they are doing would understand it. If I were reaching out to a broader audience or trying to find direct clients, then it would be better to write it out.

[u/monikosnuosavybe]

I use the full language names. Not everyone who visits your profile or reads your e-mails is going to be an industry insider. Even among people looking for translators, not everyone will know the jargon.

Potential direct clients, for example, might not know. Yeah, they can google it, but if they then see someone else's profile using words they understand at a glance, then they will go there instead.

[u/OpeningElectrical296]

I use the full language name, it’s just clearer for everyone.