Test Translations
Thread poster: Ritu Bhanot
Ritu Bhanot
Ritu Bhanot  Identity Verified
France
French to Hindi
+ ...
Oct 2, 2005

Hi,
I've a query regarding an agency which does not actually qualify as a complaint but just a question as to Is it a normal practice?...
An agency has sent me a test saying that there's a future job and it's a test for the same... but it's a whole page of specialised terms that they want me to translate as a Test... and somehow it does not seem right...
I mean there were two pages of specific terms and they have sent it to two translators and requested them to do one page each
... See more
Hi,
I've a query regarding an agency which does not actually qualify as a complaint but just a question as to Is it a normal practice?...
An agency has sent me a test saying that there's a future job and it's a test for the same... but it's a whole page of specialised terms that they want me to translate as a Test... and somehow it does not seem right...
I mean there were two pages of specific terms and they have sent it to two translators and requested them to do one page each as a Test Translation.
I have done Test Translations of 100 words or so... but this one seems to be like a glossary and I'm a bit concerned as to they might just make their glossary and then give the work to another translator or may be their in-house translator... I would have done all the hard work for free!!!
I have this hestitation as it is sort of common practice by some agencies and...
Anyways, I'd like to know your views.
Should I do it? Or not?
Is there a catch? Or am I imagining things?
Hope to have your views.
Regards,
Ritu
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Kevin Kelly
Kevin Kelly  Identity Verified
Local time: 06:06
Russian to English
+ ...
Run, don't walk, from this agency... Oct 2, 2005

IMO, this is a rather blatant attempt to exploit you.

I would offer to do the test for your normal rate. If they do not accept, you will have lost nothing and will have avoided being used by an unscrupulous agency.

Regards,

Kevin


 
Egmont
Egmont
Spain
Local time: 11:06
Afrikaans to Spanish
+ ...
Be careful... Oct 2, 2005

Kevin Kelly wrote:

IMO, this is a rather blatant attempt to exploit you.

I would offer to do the test for your normal rate. If they do not accept, you will have lost nothing and will have avoided being used by an unscrupulous agency.

Regards,

Kevin
...acording to my professional experience since 1971. Better is a test translation by your professional fee, of course.

[Edited at 2005-10-03 07:16]


 
Silvia Puit V�gelin
Silvia Puit V�gelin
Belgium
Local time: 11:06
German to Spanish
+ ...
I totally agree Oct 2, 2005

I would not do it either! You may be doing them a favour, as you said and completing a list of terms you are not proving them if you are able to translate or not, just how good you are looking up terms and researching!!

The last experience I had with a translation test was I did it, and then no more feedback came from them... which I think is extremely rude!

Best regards,
Silvi
... See more
I would not do it either! You may be doing them a favour, as you said and completing a list of terms you are not proving them if you are able to translate or not, just how good you are looking up terms and researching!!

The last experience I had with a translation test was I did it, and then no more feedback came from them... which I think is extremely rude!

Best regards,
Silvia
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Marijke Singer
Marijke Singer  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 11:06
Member
Dutch to English
+ ...
Run a mile Oct 2, 2005

Presumably it is without context?

I would just tell them that it is not a test and, therefore, you cannot do it.


 
Lise Berthiaume
Lise Berthiaume
Canada
Local time: 06:06
English to French
Run it is true Oct 2, 2005

I agree with Kevin. If it looks like a glossary run away. I heard that a big store, here in Canada, send to translators a test for x amount of words. It sent the tests to a lot of translators, each text was different and they never have been paid for their work but the store used the tests for their marketing. So I agree with Kevin.

Have a nice day,

Lise


 
Brandis (X)
Brandis (X)
Local time: 11:06
English to German
+ ...
Set a limit to the size. Oct 2, 2005

all tests going beyond 200? words will be charged at min some figure. And inform the sender to compress the file, such that the size comes to about 200? words .This usually works.Brandis

 
pcovs
pcovs
Denmark
Local time: 11:06
English to Danish
Never do glossaries, only text bites Oct 2, 2005

I usually state a test translation limit of max 250 words, but in your case, I would not do it as a test at all!

A test, IMO, is a text bite, which should show your overall ability to handle a text of this or that nature.

It would NEVER be something looking like a glossary! This would show your client next to nothing about the quality of your work (perhaps your client would be able to see whether or not you could handle looking words up in a dictionary without necessar
... See more
I usually state a test translation limit of max 250 words, but in your case, I would not do it as a test at all!

A test, IMO, is a text bite, which should show your overall ability to handle a text of this or that nature.

It would NEVER be something looking like a glossary! This would show your client next to nothing about the quality of your work (perhaps your client would be able to see whether or not you could handle looking words up in a dictionary without necessarily picking the first suggestion as your translation, but that would be about it!).

I sincerely hope that you have turned this "test" down and noted the company as one you don't need to ever work for.

BTW, have you checked for BB entries for this particular company?
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De la Vera C (X)
De la Vera C (X)
Argentina
Local time: 07:06
English to Spanish
Strangest (?) Oct 3, 2005

of all is that you and the other translator were given a different page each, which adds up another reason to run away from them, IMHO. Best luck! Verónica

 
Agustina de Sagastizabal
Agustina de Sagastizabal
Argentina
Local time: 07:06
English to Spanish
+ ...
Agree with you all Oct 3, 2005

Some agencies just look for young translators -who are eagerly hoping to get new jobs- to do "tough" translations for free and in short-termed periods; don't let them get away with it...

 
Martin Fraser (X)
Martin Fraser (X)
Local time: 10:06
German to English
+ ...
Don't fall for it Oct 3, 2005

When I was in export I used to get letters from Nigeria asking for 10 pieces of a product I used to sell, 'for test purposes', pending an order of 200 pieces. I knew all the sender wanted was 10 pieces, and used to reply as follows:

"Ten pieces cost XXX. Pay that and I will supply. Once your order for 200 pieces arrives I will give you a discount equal to the value of TWENTY pieces".

I never heard from them again.

Good Luck!


 
Ritu Bhanot
Ritu Bhanot  Identity Verified
France
French to Hindi
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks a lot Oct 4, 2005

Dear Colleagues,

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I wrote to the agency and we've agreed that I'll do just 100 words as a test...

Obviously, it doesn't tell them anything about my work.

Of course, there are some other agencies who ask for your past work... and I usually have a contract saying that it is strictly confidential as they don't want me or someone else to go directly to the client... a sort of agreement for three years.

But I thi
... See more
Dear Colleagues,

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I wrote to the agency and we've agreed that I'll do just 100 words as a test...

Obviously, it doesn't tell them anything about my work.

Of course, there are some other agencies who ask for your past work... and I usually have a contract saying that it is strictly confidential as they don't want me or someone else to go directly to the client... a sort of agreement for three years.

But I think that's ok as this other agency pays well for my work and I've never had any problem with them. Still some of them think that translators can actually sell that sort of information for a promise of future work.

One reason I rarely work with agencies!!!

Thanks a lot for your support.

Best of luck

Ritu
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Julie Allison
Julie Allison  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:06
Spanish to English
+ ...
I agree Nov 3, 2005

I agree with everyone's comments and as a general rule, ANYTHING you are not 100% comfortable with - stay well clear from it.Your time is far too valuable.

 


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