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Urgent v Standard translation - how quickly do you submit your work?
Thread poster: Marion Lambert-Nuding
Robert Forstag
Robert Forstag  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 22:28
Spanish to English
+ ...
I agree with Janet and Vitals Mar 21, 2012

If I receive work that requires me to produce a very high output within a very short time to complete the job by the stated deadline, then I feel an extra charge is warranted (irrespective of whether I have "anything else on my plate").

The operative word here is "required." I may choose, in instances in which I accept a job with a 5-day deadline (and no rush surcharge), to take care of it in 1 or 2 days. But in such a case, it is my choice, and not a requirement impos... See more
If I receive work that requires me to produce a very high output within a very short time to complete the job by the stated deadline, then I feel an extra charge is warranted (irrespective of whether I have "anything else on my plate").

The operative word here is "required." I may choose, in instances in which I accept a job with a 5-day deadline (and no rush surcharge), to take care of it in 1 or 2 days. But in such a case, it is my choice, and not a requirement imposed by the client.

I also fully agree with Tom re the asymmetry in the perception of urgency of delivery deadlines and payment deadlines prevalent among all too many agencies.



[Edited at 2012-03-21 17:04 GMT] ▲ Collapse
 
Ty Kendall
Ty Kendall  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:28
Hebrew to English
Urgency Mar 21, 2012

...is a much abused word when it comes to translation projects.

The litmus test of a project's urgency can easily be determined by whether the client is willing to pay more (i.e. an urgency surcharge). 9 times out of 10 - they aren't...which tells you just how "urgent" it is.

Real urgency forces us to accept things/part with money when we ordinarily wouldn't. A few weeks ago I set out in my car to pick my sister up. I noticed as soon as I got in the car I was low on pet... See more
...is a much abused word when it comes to translation projects.

The litmus test of a project's urgency can easily be determined by whether the client is willing to pay more (i.e. an urgency surcharge). 9 times out of 10 - they aren't...which tells you just how "urgent" it is.

Real urgency forces us to accept things/part with money when we ordinarily wouldn't. A few weeks ago I set out in my car to pick my sister up. I noticed as soon as I got in the car I was low on petrol (in the red even!), confident of the nearest petrol station on the way I just carried on, when I got there they were having electrical problems with the pumps and they turned me away, a little concerned but still confident of the next nearest petrol station I continued on my way, after about 10 miles and getting seriously close to an empty tank I arrived at the 2nd petrol station, which, to my horror, had closed down. With no other option I carried on again in the hope of another station (knowing that there wasn't another one for at least another 10 miles - I had a lot of countryside to get through). When I eventually emerged back into civilisation (well, a small village) I gleefully pulled up at the tiny village petrol station, surprised as hell that I'd made it, and I payed the exorbitant price of petrol (which would normally have made me baulk) with a smile - because it was urgent.

In translation though, I agree with Neilmac, it's too much hassle trying to impose "urgent" rates in the majority of cases - the word "urgent" is used so much it has practically lost all meaning. ▲ Collapse
 
XXXphxxx (X)
XXXphxxx (X)  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:28
Portuguese to English
+ ...
Very simple Mar 21, 2012

My experience has taught me that I can translate 2500 words/day comfortably without over-exerting myself/compromising on quality; if a client wants more than that, or if I have other work booked in and squeezing their job in would require me to work evenings or weekends then a 50% surcharge applies. Simple. You very soon find that once you start talking about surcharges 'Urgent' becomes 'Not so urgent after all'.
 
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Urgent v Standard translation - how quickly do you submit your work?







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