| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | Sure, I'll take the test, just don't use the F-word Thread poster: Egil Presttun
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Samuel Murray 
Netherlands
Local time: 13:10
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
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| Price based on test results | Jan 30, 2011 |
Laurent KRAULAND wrote:
Some agencies begin (?) to say that they will estimate the price paid to translators on the basis of free translation tests, because this is more "objective". ... This is my personal (recent) experience with 2 agencies.
I ask myself why an agency would base its offered rate on the quality of the test translation. The only way in which that might make sense if if they have cheap proofreaders and expensive proofreaders, and they give good quality translations to their cheap proofreaders and poor quality translations to their expensive proofreaders. This would be a valid reason.
I'm inclined to wonder, though, if it is not more likely that the client is trying to determine whether or not your translations needs to be proofread at all -- i.e. if your test is good, they'll pay more because they will risk not having it proofread, but if youir test is poor, they'll pay less because they'll not risk not having it proofread.
Still, I don't see why an agency can't give an estimate of how much they pay, even if they may choose to offer less, based on the test results.
| | | | Nikita Kobrin
Lithuania
Local time: 14:10
Member (2010)
English to Russian
+ ...
| I was offered to check translation tests done by others as a test of me | Jan 30, 2011 |
Samuel Murray wrote:
It sounds like you have been asked a few times by agencies to proofread translation tests done by others. Is that so?
One lady asked me to do that not long ago. It was offered as a free test of me.  Certainly I have refused. Though nowadays I refuse to take any F-word tests in 90% of the cases...
| | | | | sometimes, yes | Jan 30, 2011 |
José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:
Yet the after-test rates are always very low.
One of recent communications with a potential outsourcer:
They: We'd like to use your services, will you do the test translation?
I: Yes, my rate is X.
They: We are ready to discuss rates after the test.
I: OK. Here's the test.
They: Your test is successful. We can pay X/2.
I: My minimum rate is X.
They: Sorry to disturb you.
I had only F-words on my mind (:
| | | | Laurent KRAULAND (X)
France
Local time: 13:10
French to German
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This is the typical reason why I don't accept tests: because everything that matters to me is somewhat swept under the carpet (see my previous post).
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Edward Vreeburg
Netherlands
Local time: 13:10
Member (2008)
English to Dutch
+ ...
| I do sometimes proofread tests for clients | Jan 30, 2011 |
but I´m not sure they are unpaid tests - and perhaps I´m not a professional proofreader (and I´m wondering if this exists and how they can make any money)...
But I can quickly rule out test translations with missing parts, spelling mistakes the spelling checker could find, lots of double spaces, and stuff that was written by non-natives......, or people that mangle up the layout, font and everything else...
Then when I have 2-3 left I can judge which one is more flui... See more but I´m not sure they are unpaid tests - and perhaps I´m not a professional proofreader (and I´m wondering if this exists and how they can make any money)...
But I can quickly rule out test translations with missing parts, spelling mistakes the spelling checker could find, lots of double spaces, and stuff that was written by non-natives......, or people that mangle up the layout, font and everything else...
Then when I have 2-3 left I can judge which one is more fluid, natural, commercial or generally fit for the job since I know what the client is looking for...
Still I wouldn´t do ANY FREE TEST, if I don´t know what rates they are willing to pay...
In the end THEY score a big new client and they make the most money - I´m not even sure I get the work if the end user is impressed with my test translation...
And why would they pay less to bad translators anyway== shouldn´t they refuse the bad ones and only work with the translators who scored well on the test... ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Our movement against translation tests | Jan 31, 2011 |
I hope we the translators have any action against translation tests requested by translation agencies. Now I am required to do test of 600-700 words for free just as to be assessed for job assignment. I rarely respond to this OR I give tests of about 200 words maximum. I imagine that new translators can fall into this trap easily: tests for nothing in return.
Soonthon Lupkitaro
| | | | Neil Coffey
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:10
French to English
+ ...
| Free checking of tests | Jan 31, 2011 |
Rodna Ruskovska wrote:
I have never heard of anyone being asked to proofread a test translation for free.
Erm, I have. "Ironic" was not the word that sprang to mind...
| | | | Taija Hyvönen
Finland
Local time: 14:10
Member (2008)
English to Finnish
+ ...
| I've had that too | Jan 31, 2011 |
I've also been told by an agency that the rate they pay depends on how good the translation test result is. They might even DOUBLE the rate if I was REALLY good!
Wow... yes, it's double if you go from two cents to four cents per word... having gotten this far I decided to skip the test.
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IPtranslate (X)
Brazil
English to Dutch
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Lingua 5B wrote:
.. who is actually revising such texts? What is the credibility of these revisers and how can we check them?
I also have had the dubious pleasure of being told that test translations I carried out, were not up to standard, whereas I knew for a fact (the translation being in my own technical field as an engineer) that they were.
When I asked to see the "corrected version", I couldn't believe my eyes: a correction that was linguistically perhaps correct (although there weren't any spelling or grammar mistakes in mine), but technically speaking that of a 5-year old.
I don't even bother any more....What is it that makes people think that THEY don't make mistakes and that - even when they don't - their solution is better?
As to discussing rates based on test results, that is ridiculous. I just don't do that.
| | | | Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 13:10
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Neil Coffey wrote: Rodna Ruskovska wrote:
I have never heard of anyone being asked to proofread a test translation for free. Erm, I have. "Ironic" was not the word that sprang to mind...
I have been asked to proofread such translations, and at least once for free. I don't really mind, because it is an educational experience for me too, to see how other translators translate, and how to weigh up the various factors to determine what is acceptable and what is not (and asking myself how the translator might respond if he was asked to defend his position).
| | | | | The alternative route | Jan 31, 2011 |
Mykhailo Voloshko wrote:
One of recent communications with a potential outsourcer:
They: We'd like to use your services, will you do the test translation?
I: Yes, my rate is X.
They: We are ready to discuss rates after the test.
At this point the rest of the conversation should have gone:
I: Unless I know you can afford my rate of X if I am successful, I will not take this test.
They: We can pay X/2.
I: My minimum rate is X.
They: Sorry to disturb you.
Time and energy = saved.
[Edited at 2011-01-31 13:49 GMT]
| | | | Nikita Kobrin
Lithuania
Local time: 14:10
Member (2010)
English to Russian
+ ...
Samuel Murray wrote:
I have been asked to proofread such translations, and at least once for free. I don't really mind, because it is an educational experience for me too, to see how other translators translate.
I did it several times too but not for FREE. Those were well paid jobs. This kind of job they usually call QA ('quality assurance' though I tend to call it 'quality assessment').
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| Agree. Who are these people who are dictating to us? | Jan 31, 2011 |
IPtranslate wrote: Lingua 5B wrote:
.. who is actually revising such texts? What is the credibility of these revisers and how can we check them? I also have had the dubious pleasure of being told that test translations I carried out, were not up to standard, whereas I knew for a fact (the translation being in my own technical field as an engineer) that they were. When I asked to see the "corrected version", I couldn't believe my eyes: a correction that was linguistically perhaps correct (although there weren't any spelling or grammar mistakes in mine), but technically speaking that of a 5-year old. I don't even bother any more....What is it that makes people think that THEY don't make mistakes and that - even when they don't - their solution is better? As to discussing rates based on test results, that is ridiculous. I just don't do that.
I totally agree with you. This has happened to me several times. When I ask for feedback, I never get it. I think we at least be allowed to know why the translation has been "deemed" incorrect. I know for a fact that I did a good translation.
Also, I believe that membership of a recognised body through their own rigorous exams (e.g. Institute of Linguists), combined with a lot of experience, is guarantee of competence, without having to do test translations.
I echo, who are these people?
| | | | MariusV
Lithuania
Local time: 14:10
English to Lithuanian
+ ...
| a compromise for a free lunch | Feb 19, 2011 |
If they offered a F……REE test translation, why not (you know, they need to know that you are good, they are kinda ISO certified and like - very serious). But with one small condition - a test money transfer before that free test translation. Just to be sure their accountant is a real professional one and that they are good payers And do not forget to ask for detailed CVs of their Managing Director, accountant, PMs, and send th... See more If they offered a F……REE test translation, why not (you know, they need to know that you are good, they are kinda ISO certified and like - very serious). But with one small condition - a test money transfer before that free test translation. Just to be sure their accountant is a real professional one and that they are good payers And do not forget to ask for detailed CVs of their Managing Director, accountant, PMs, and send them "Client Registration Form" to fill in (max some 6 pages)...And yes, please also ask them to provide some information about the recent projects they did for their clients (stating the number of words, titles), and for some refrences of their clients (emails and/or phones will do)
[Edited at 2011-02-19 02:07 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Steven Capsuto
United States
Local time: 07:10
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
+ ...
| That's ass-backwards | Feb 20, 2011 |
José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:
That's the most frequent outcome I've had from taking translation tests. Yet the after-test rates are always very low.
I have a firm policy that I won't do a test unless the potential client has already accepted my fee and payment terms. Otherwise, why waste my time, even on 200 words?
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