| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] | New to working as a translator professionally and asking for your advice Thread poster: Mo Conrady C
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Mo Conrady C 
United States
Local time: 17:28
English to German
TOPIC STARTER | Bottom line: legally responsible | Apr 17, 2015 |
Sheila Wilson wrote: If they do themselves harm and then find your translation of a critical term is incorrect, or there's a missing negative, whatever, you could in theory end up being sued. It happens! And if that someone is a breadwinner who can no longer work we aren't going to be talking a few k dollars. Look on the bright side: if you end up turning down this job, which will bring in peanuts for weeks to come, you'll be free to accept a 2000-word general translation for $0.12 per word tomorrow  .
Sheila,
I have stated that it was my mistake to say that this manual "could" also be used by patients. It was a mere assumptions on my part, as many professional books can even be bought on Amazon. Sorry. By the method it appeared to be possible but the manual is not meant for patients.
Yes, I might welcome a smaller translation over this big one. We shall see.
Thank you.
| | | | Mo Conrady C
United States
Local time: 17:28
English to German
TOPIC STARTER | I'd be hesitant... | Apr 17, 2015 |
Jenny Forbes wrote:
Mo, I'm a professional freelance translator with more than 30 years' experience but I'd be extremely hesitant to take on a first big job which is way outside my field of expertise, such as medicine. Although, like you, I've plenty of experience of medical matters in my own life and the lives of friends and family (as most of us have!) medicine is so specialised and the possibility of serious errors is so great.
What fields have you worked in as an employee? Wouldn't it be better, at least at first, to seek translation work in those areas? You'd feel much more confident.
In my case, I was previously employed in the fields of banking, finance, property development and the legal aspects of those fields so, although I'm not passionately interested in banking (!), those are the areas in which I most often translate - and with confidence which has increased over the years.
Best wishes, whatever you decide.
Jenny,
Thank you! I fully understand what you are saying.
The previous fields I have worked in are diverse: fashion design and production, retail, home decor, recycling, office assistant, database, web design. Not in that order.
| | | | Mo Conrady C
United States
Local time: 17:28
English to German
TOPIC STARTER | Re: Rates for experienced translators.... | Apr 17, 2015 |
Maxi Schwarz wrote:
An experienced translator can work twice as fast as someone who is new and still wants to produce quality (which is a must - an inaccurate translation is no translation at all). So if both parties charge EUR 0.10/word, that still translates as half the amount per hour for the novice, or maybe even a third. On top of that, the novice should be hiring and paying an experienced translator who is an expert in the medical field to proofread the work. So don't by shy about charging what your work is worth.
Thank you, Maxi, for the comparison. It puts things into perspective.
| | | | Mo Conrady C
United States
Local time: 17:28
English to German
TOPIC STARTER | I have turned the project down! | Apr 17, 2015 |
Following the more helpful replies here, I decided after thorough consideration that it would be best to turn this project down.
I still believe that, taking plenty of time, I would have been able to do a good translation, but because money was the biggest factor on my client's side, the proofreading part would have fallen off the cliff, which would have been a big no-no.
When I called him, he was very understanding and even appreciative that I explained why it had to cost a ... See more Following the more helpful replies here, I decided after thorough consideration that it would be best to turn this project down.
I still believe that, taking plenty of time, I would have been able to do a good translation, but because money was the biggest factor on my client's side, the proofreading part would have fallen off the cliff, which would have been a big no-no.
When I called him, he was very understanding and even appreciative that I explained why it had to cost a certain amount. I did not know what to expect when making this phone call...and I wanted to share this here as well. Clients - no matter what profession/business - can be so self-centered. I have had my fair share in my previous life.
The seminars among the German speaking population might not take place as soon as initially hoped for by his German counterparts, but then again, maybe they can do it with the English manual after all.
Thanks to everyone who gave genuine assistance. Bye now. ▲ Collapse
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Knowing when to say no is one of the most important things when freelancing and this one did wave a red flag for me as it sounded like the customer was just looking to get it done at a rate that didn't cover the necessary quality control procedures. Not all clients are worth having.
Good luck for building your translation career - a diverse background can sometimes be more of an asset than a language degree, so don't sell yourself short when marketing yourself.
Have a g... See more Knowing when to say no is one of the most important things when freelancing and this one did wave a red flag for me as it sounded like the customer was just looking to get it done at a rate that didn't cover the necessary quality control procedures. Not all clients are worth having.
Good luck for building your translation career - a diverse background can sometimes be more of an asset than a language degree, so don't sell yourself short when marketing yourself.
Have a good weekend
Rachel ▲ Collapse
| | | | Angela Malik
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:28
German to English
+ ...
| Courageous call | Apr 17, 2015 |
Very good call on your part, and I think very brave of you to talk to the client so openly. It takes a lot of courage to have a discussion like that, especially when just starting out in a new career and ESPECIALLY when they seem to be your first big potential client. I salute you.
That move alone tells me that you may well have a prosperous future as a freelance translator.
I'm sorry if you felt my reply to you earlier was harsh, but know that I, at least, do not harbo... See more Very good call on your part, and I think very brave of you to talk to the client so openly. It takes a lot of courage to have a discussion like that, especially when just starting out in a new career and ESPECIALLY when they seem to be your first big potential client. I salute you.
That move alone tells me that you may well have a prosperous future as a freelance translator.
I'm sorry if you felt my reply to you earlier was harsh, but know that I, at least, do not harbour any ill will towards you (I'm terrible at holding grudges)
Good luck in your future career. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mo Conrady C
United States
Local time: 17:28
English to German
TOPIC STARTER | Courageous call | Apr 18, 2015 |
Angela Rimmer wrote: Very good call on your part, and I think very brave of you to talk to the client so openly. It takes a lot of courage to have a discussion like that, especially when just starting out in a new career and ESPECIALLY when they seem to be your first big potential client. I salute you. That move alone tells me that you may well have a prosperous future as a freelance translator. I'm sorry if you felt my reply to you earlier was harsh, but know that I, at least, do not harbour any ill will towards you (I'm terrible at holding grudges ) Good luck in your future career.
Thank you, Angela.
I had quite a knot in my stomach when dialing his number at first, but had made the decision to not get out of this the easy way by just sending him an email. I really had wanted to take this job but realized that it was impossible for the various reasons that people here made clear to me.
Not being cowardly when turning the client down and talking to him directly over the phone, was something that I viewed as another learning curve in however that conversation would happen to turn out.
I had my own business many years ago and know about potentially difficult and unreasonable customers. So when dialing the number I did what I taught myself over the years...to smile while talking, which takes the pressure off oneself a bit and immediately adds a sweeter sound to one's voice.
I am a high stress person (as in *stressing myself), so when I find methods that work, I apply them as often as possible for my own good but also because they transpire to the other side.
Thank you for your well wishes!
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