Off topic: A job done comes back through another outsourcer – How/What to do? Thread poster: VIBOL KEO
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VIBOL KEO 
Local time: 12:42
Member (2009)
English to Khmer (Central)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Hello again, I hope you are going as well as usual. Today I have a business issue to consult you all.
I had completed a translation job for an agency. Afterward, a man from different agency contacted me if I was available to do the job asking for a quote. Negotiating about how much I would charge he sent me the file then pinpointed that it was an easy job and the 3rd round of proofreading needed.
Opening the file I found the job... See more Ladies and Gentlemen:
Hello again, I hope you are going as well as usual. Today I have a business issue to consult you all.
I had completed a translation job for an agency. Afterward, a man from different agency contacted me if I was available to do the job asking for a quote. Negotiating about how much I would charge he sent me the file then pinpointed that it was an easy job and the 3rd round of proofreading needed.
Opening the file I found the job I had done. This made me a big surprise but I kept quiet despite of which I have found some errors resulted from words changed. Consequently, I politely rejected the PO with a reason that pricing was not acceptable.
Obviously, I think it should be returned to me by the same agency and that I should be enabled to accept or reject changes had been made by different translator(s) considering MS initiated features. This is why I decided not to accept such a PO including some other reasons.
In general, many clients confirm their acknowledgement receipt of my invoice. But I have heard nothing about the invoice regarding this PO.
Within such a situation, I wonder whether my decision was right, or, how or what you would do if you were me.
Your comments and/or recommendations regarding such a business issue would be much appreciated.
Thanks and Kind regards,
Vibol Keo ▲ Collapse
| | | | NMR (X)
France
Local time: 07:42
French to Dutch
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| Of course this isn't true | Aug 5, 2008 |
VIBOL KEO wrote:
Obviously, I think it should be returned to me by the same agency and that I should be enabled to accept or reject changes had been made by different translator(s) considering MS initiated features. Vibol Keo
This of course isn't true. End clients can go shopping where and when they like. There are several possibilities: either the clien doesn't trust the first agency, either he isn't glad about the translated text, or he wants to have a third opinion, or something else. It is up to you to accept this translation/proofreading or not, but I think you shouldn't give informations or details, because you clearly have here two competing agencies or agencies which are on the same market or share the same client. Never inform client B of details you know from agency A. In my opinion, the fact that you know this text is confidential and confidentiality should be your standard practice. Everything that is behind is not the translator's problem.
It regularly happens in small language pairs. You can say that you are too busy, or accept it without giving details.
[Modifié le 2008-08-05 16:39]
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1. Come clear with the agency.
2. Translate only into your native language.
(I do it in both directions but just because my social, educational, and professional background allows it. I am almost 60 years old and have lived here since I was 16, and when I arrived I had already studied English for 5 consecutive years.)
[Edited at 2008-08-05 19:07]
| | | | VIBOL KEO
Local time: 12:42
Member (2009)
English to Khmer (Central)
TOPIC STARTER | Your kind advice ... | Aug 6, 2008 |
Dear Luisa Ramos,
Thanks for your kind advice regarding the relevant issue. My native language is targeted for this PO. However, it is not a small project that I should not be concerned about or should forget. Thanks once again for your valuable time. Best wishes,
Any additional comments/recommendations would also be grateful.
Vibol K
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VIBOL KEO
Local time: 12:42
Member (2009)
English to Khmer (Central)
TOPIC STARTER | But the 2 facts: Quality and Paying off! | Aug 6, 2008 |
Hello,
Well, I am not sure if it is reasonable when it comes to saying this of course isn't true.
Obviously, what you quoted is that I would like to refer to the quality that is the main objective of every clients that it is the first fact. Another fact is that we are working to get paid or we are not working for free.
Regardless the volume I do not see any further than an appropriate design and management to do a project for the real goal and objectiv... See more Hello,
Well, I am not sure if it is reasonable when it comes to saying this of course isn't true.
Obviously, what you quoted is that I would like to refer to the quality that is the main objective of every clients that it is the first fact. Another fact is that we are working to get paid or we are not working for free.
Regardless the volume I do not see any further than an appropriate design and management to do a project for the real goal and objective with a special focus on schope of works, time, and money for mutual benefits.
However, I have considered if it is a part of mysterious difficulties within a limit of the development context in connecting people between developing and developed countries. Also, thanks for your valuable time sharing comments regarding such an issue.
I also wish to have learned more from others. Good Luck!
[Edited at 2008-08-06 09:35]
[Edited at 2008-08-06 09:37] ▲ Collapse
| | | | juvera
Local time: 06:42
English to Hungarian
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| Talking about advices... | Aug 7, 2008 |
Dear Vibol Keo,
You did the right thing.
There is nothing more to add.
Luisa Ramos wrote:
1. Come clear with the agency.
2. Translate only into your native language.
(I do it in both directions but just because my social, educational, and professional background allows it. I am almost 60 years old and have lived here since I was 16, and when I arrived I had already studied English for 5 consecutive years.)
Dear Luisa,
1. The translator excused himself from the job. It was the right thing to do, and there is no need to "come clear" with the agency. It is not his task or responsibility to tell the agency - who knows anyway - that another agency/translator was commissioned to do the translation.
The translator happens to be him, but he wisely avoided any conflict or complication. It would have been a different matter, if he were tempted to accept the job.
2. Are you aware, how many native English translators translate from Khmer into English on the ProZ site?
Or anywhere else, for that matter?
The "translate into your native language only" subject was discussed zillions of times, and I do not wish to bring it up again.
As an illustration to point out how inappropriate this mantra can be, I leave you to check out the number of English native language translators to translate from Khmer. Agencies do not count! I don’t want to elaborate on the matter any further, just to make you think about it.
Regards
Judith
| | | | VIBOL KEO
Local time: 12:42
Member (2009)
English to Khmer (Central)
TOPIC STARTER | All info in here are valuable ... | Aug 13, 2008 |
Dear Judith,
Sorry I has come back late to the forum since I was very busy at doing other jobs. However, all info in here are valuable for our consideration and learning more and more. Plus, I would like to say thank you for your common sense.
Best wishes,
Vibol K
[Edited at 2008-08-13 10:35]
| | | | juvera
Local time: 06:42
English to Hungarian
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| You are welcome | Aug 14, 2008 |
and thanks.
Judith
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| Khmer and translating into your native language | Aug 14, 2008 |
juvera wrote:
The "translate into your native language only" subject was discussed zillions of times, and I do not wish to bring it up again.
As an illustration to point out how inappropriate this mantra can be, I leave you to check out the number of English native language translators to translate from Khmer.
You are quite right, Juvera. While I usually fall into the camp of "translate into your native language", especially because I see very few examples of high quality work that go in the other direction for my language pair, there are obvious exceptions such as Khmer->English and other pairs involving "exotic" languages (some of which are so commonly spoken that calling them exotic is really silly). As long as there is sufficient care given to proper editing of the target text to ensure that there is no miscommunication, I really don't care who translates in what direction. If there's a problem, it will come out eventually and be addressed; if not, all I can say for those who don't properly evaluate the qualifications of the translators used and ensure that the overall translation process is structured appropriately is "stupidity has a price".
Vibol,
There's nothing wrong in the way you handled this job. However, I wouldn't worry about which outsourcer made the request for further proofreading, as this may very well be a case of the end client checking up on the work of the first agency or just wanting an "independent" opinion. Accepting the job would also have been appropriate and would have given you an opportunity to fix mistakes made in the earlier corrections.
[Edited at 2008-08-14 11:06]
| | | | VIBOL KEO
Local time: 12:42
Member (2009)
English to Khmer (Central)
TOPIC STARTER | Your kind advice ... | Aug 17, 2008 |
Dear Mr. Kevin,
With my sincere thanks your kind advice or suggestions would be much appreciated regarding the different circumstances scenarios.
I am not concerned about accepting or not, however, I merely wish that a football team for a match should be considered for an adaptive process as well as seeking for progress activities from both concerned parties.
Thanks once again and Best Luck!
Vibol K
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