Newb issue: my first big project and author is re-writing translation Thread poster: Natasha Ziada (X)
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Natasha Ziada (X) 
Australia
Local time: 20:49
English to Dutch
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Hi all,
Being new to both ProZ and the trade of freelance translating, I was hoping some of the more seasoned colleagues out there would have a word of advice on the following.
Having just started out as a translator, I straight away landed a 17000 word e-book in the field of management literature. Very exciting of course, but the catch is: I am translating into the author's native language, Dutch (she originally wrote it in English to appeal to a larger audience, but ... See more Hi all,
Being new to both ProZ and the trade of freelance translating, I was hoping some of the more seasoned colleagues out there would have a word of advice on the following.
Having just started out as a translator, I straight away landed a 17000 word e-book in the field of management literature. Very exciting of course, but the catch is: I am translating into the author's native language, Dutch (she originally wrote it in English to appeal to a larger audience, but it's now going to be published in The Netherlands first). That is not a problem in itself, but what's happening is, the translation has made her aware of all the flaws in the original text (which is a bit flimsy to be honest) and so she started re-writing - not the source text, but my translation!
Being the eager puppy new in the field, I went along with this for a bit, until I realised that the translation, that will have my name under it, is now becoming something out of my control. She also asked me to edit what she re-wrote, which on the one hand gives me back some control but on the other means extra work that I am not getting paid for (I get paid per word, not per hour).
So, I think I need to revisit our approach - ask her to either first complete/re-write the source text (which she did do to some extent, but I suspect there will be more things she will want to change after it has been translated) or let me translate, then go over the whole thing with the editor once it's finished. The latter would still mean my name will be under something I didn't deliver as such.
Is there a code of practice applicable to this? Am I right in expecting the author to not re-write the translation (it is not feedback on the translation, the texts are entirely different)?
Anyone out there who has experienced something similar, or who has a word of advice - would be greatly appreciated!
[Edited at 2013-02-10 06:52 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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What an uncomfortable situation - you have my sympathies. It sounds to me like she has no idea of the work involved in the creative process, but this incomprehension on her part is creating a lot of extra work and stress for you.
I think I would put my foot down. Tell her to put together a definite version for translation, and that any changes she makes to this will be charged for. This could be done by volume, or by time, whichever you think is appropriate.
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 12:49
French to English
| Agree with Fiona | Feb 10, 2013 |
This is a client who needs educating. You have been hired to translate and anything else can be billed separately as "consulting services", paid for by the hour. That will calm her down a bit. You can suggest she either lets you get on with the job she originally hired you for or she goes away to make changes and then lets you work on her final version.
If the final published work bears no resemblance to what you delivered, you might want to consider having your name removed from t... See more This is a client who needs educating. You have been hired to translate and anything else can be billed separately as "consulting services", paid for by the hour. That will calm her down a bit. You can suggest she either lets you get on with the job she originally hired you for or she goes away to make changes and then lets you work on her final version.
If the final published work bears no resemblance to what you delivered, you might want to consider having your name removed from the cover, and be "relegated" to a mention in the acknowledgements. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 11:49
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| Clearly some education is needed here | Feb 10, 2013 |
Natasha Ziada wrote:
Being the eager puppy new in the field, I went along with this for a bit, until I realised that the translation, that will have my name under it, is now becoming something out of my control. She also asked me to edit what she re-wrote, which on the one hand gives me back some control but on the other means extra work that I am not getting paid for (I get paid per word, not per hour).
I agree with Fiona that you have to make a stand. There are various alternatives, but whatever time you spend on the project MUST be paid for! You could wait until she's rewritten the original (though, as you say, it sounds as though that process will never be complete); or you could go ahead and translate what she's written, then charge for proofreading after she's re-written it. You also have the option to withdraw your permission to have your name displayed on the final book: although I'm sure you want it there, you won't want it on a book that you believe to be poor quality writing.
But the real question is: why on earth isn't she "translating" it herself? When she's done it to her own liking, she could get you to proofread it. I suppose she might think she's saving time, but she's wasting a lot of money (even if you're gaining somewhat from that ), and it doesn't sound as though she's saving much time either. I suspect she might actually be very happy to renegotiate things - she's quite likely to be unhappy herself about the way things are going. You really need to discuss it with her. Believe me, you're not taking an unreasonable stand!
Edited to say that the previous comments by Texte Style certainly weren't visible on my computer when I posted (I think they might have been delayed by vetting). Certainly we've offered very similar advice.
[Edited at 2013-02-10 18:30 GMT]
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| Perhaps this is too simplistic | Feb 10, 2013 |
But if I am being paid by the word, anything I do besides translating words must be paid by the hour.
| | | | nrichy (X)
France
Local time: 12:49
French to Dutch
+ ...
| Maybe too simplistic too | Feb 10, 2013 |
When translation has been finished and delivered, or at the latest at the end of the month, I invoice the work which has been done for this client.
Anything else is a new job and will be subject to a new quote (and a new signature, a new invoice, etc.).
Just like garagists do.
And as I had some awful experiences, for new clients I insist to be paid before taking on a new job.
| | | | Phil Hand
China
Local time: 18:49
Chinese to English
| Educate but be diplomatic about it | Feb 11, 2013 |
I absolutely agree with everyone above - the client is being unreasonable, and you need to educate her.
But education doesn't necessarily involve being brusque or negative. You don't have to ever say that she's wrong or unreasonable. Just send a really positive email saying how much you're enjoying the work, but as the two of you pursue the very highest quality together, the nature of the work has changed a bit from pure translation. In order to help her better, you'd like to clarif... See more I absolutely agree with everyone above - the client is being unreasonable, and you need to educate her.
But education doesn't necessarily involve being brusque or negative. You don't have to ever say that she's wrong or unreasonable. Just send a really positive email saying how much you're enjoying the work, but as the two of you pursue the very highest quality together, the nature of the work has changed a bit from pure translation. In order to help her better, you'd like to clarify your respective roles a bit more, perhaps move to a time-based rate rather than a word-based rate, and revisit the credit you're going to get (editor rather than translator?).
Or, if you don't want to be involved in her editing process, then tell her so. I don't think I'd do it - I don't enjoy that kind of work. You just have to decide for yourself whether it's something you enjoy and are willing to work on. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Natasha Ziada (X)
Australia
Local time: 20:49
English to Dutch
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
for your advice! Great to experience the level of support on this forum.
The author is also new - it's her first book and her first time working with a translator. A friendly yet firm conversation sounds like the way to go.
I was also curious if this is quite a common thing in translating, or are source texts usually finished when they go to a translator - of course I don't mean contracts etc but books, articles, blogs?
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| "Analyse" function of CATs | Feb 11, 2013 |
Can't say anything representative, but I have a few customers who surprise me with changes every now and then.
When the source text is changed during/after translation, you can CAT-analyse the new text against the old (present in your TM), which gives you a fairly good idea about the extent of changes. (This might not be suitable for very specialised fields though.)
[Bearbeitet am 2013-02-11 16:34 GMT]
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:49
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| My sympathy too | Feb 11, 2013 |
You have my sympathy too. Some years ago after I'd finished translating a very long book, the Author decided that my translation was better than his original, and set about completely rewriting the book, which I then had to completely re-translate; whereupon he did the same thing again !
Since then I always politely specify that once I have begun a translation I do not accept revisions or additions to the text.
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