| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you pay as much attention to a sample test as you do to a job already assigned to you? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you pay as much attention to a sample test as you do to a job already assigned to you?".
This poll was originally submitted by Analia Cassano. View the poll results »
| | | | Marjolein Snippe 
Netherlands
Local time: 13:40
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
I try to do the best I can on any job and I try to demonstrate the best I can do in a test - it works out pretty similar...
| | | | Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 13:40
Member (2006)
German to English
| Exactly the same | Sep 16, 2013 |
As this is the quality that you will / should also be delivering later
| | | | | Exactly the same! | Sep 16, 2013 |
Though admitting that sample tests are largely a waste of time (paid or unpaid), the fact is that if you take it you have (to try) to do the best you can, otherwise is no use!
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Kay Denney
France
Local time: 13:40
French to English
I admit to proofreading one extra time for a test. This is not to say that I try harder for a tests, rather that I need to do this because I am less familiar with the client's style and terminology. I also do the same for new clients, and new end clients when it's a PM from an agency.
(Then again, I also do an extra proofread for company brochures and website home pages, and any text that has obviously been polished, proofed and edited with love and care. The amount of care I take w... See more I admit to proofreading one extra time for a test. This is not to say that I try harder for a tests, rather that I need to do this because I am less familiar with the client's style and terminology. I also do the same for new clients, and new end clients when it's a PM from an agency.
(Then again, I also do an extra proofread for company brochures and website home pages, and any text that has obviously been polished, proofed and edited with love and care. The amount of care I take with the target in fact reflects the amount the author(s) have put into the source.) ▲ Collapse
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Having checked far more of these than I have produced, I can safely say that 99% of translators need to pay more attention to test translations!!
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We are supposed to work with a high level of attention and deliver always high-quality translations. So whatever I have to do I do my best.
[Edited at 2013-09-16 09:32 GMT]
[Edited at 2013-09-16 09:32 GMT]
| | | | Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 12:40
I pay equal attention to both, based on my practice of always putting my best foot forward.
Priority, however, always goes to assigned work on my plate.
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Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 20:40
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| A modicum of extra care | Sep 16, 2013 |
Like Texte Style, I put in a slightly extra effort. This, of course, does not that I don't go over my regular work with a fine-toothed comb.
I've found that the majority of translation companies ask J>E translators to do trial or test translations that are particularly tricky, poorly written or deliberately tampered with just to see if the translator is alert -- which necessitates extra care and attention.
But, then, most of the translations I am given are linguistic mi... See more Like Texte Style, I put in a slightly extra effort. This, of course, does not that I don't go over my regular work with a fine-toothed comb.
I've found that the majority of translation companies ask J>E translators to do trial or test translations that are particularly tricky, poorly written or deliberately tampered with just to see if the translator is alert -- which necessitates extra care and attention.
But, then, most of the translations I am given are linguistic mine fields, sloppily written and are in most cases riddled with mistakes, anyway.  ▲ Collapse
| | | | DianeGM
Local time: 14:40
Member (2006)
Dutch to English
+ ...
Generally speaking, I don't do tests or provide samples.
My experience is that if people have work, they send you work and if they don't they send you tests or samples.
If a job is assigned to me, then I don't mind sending a section as partial delivery for checking for a new client. I would pay the same attention to it as any other job.
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Julian Holmes wrote:
This, of course, does not that I don't go over my regular work with a fine-toothed comb.
| | | | Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 20:40
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
Chris S wrote: Julian Holmes wrote:
This, of course, does not that I don't go over my regular work with a fine-toothed comb.
OK, point taken. Please insert "mean" where it should have been. Ho, hum
@Chris, this ain't work and I got almost zero sleep last night 'cos of the huge typhoon that hit this part of Japan last night.
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20130916p2g00m0in002000c.html
Methinks I shall go to bed early and get some quality sreep tonight.
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Kay Denney
France
Local time: 13:40
French to English
| And of course we don't fine-comb our Proz postings like our translations | Sep 16, 2013 |
Chris S you didn't spot the mistake in my first message!
I agree with you that most translators should take more care, I too have come across some real howlers in tests, words missing and the like.
And I agree with Julian that most of the texts I translate don't deserve the translation to be spell-checked, sloppily written, so we often have to put in a fair amount of guesswork, riddled with company-sp... See more Chris S you didn't spot the mistake in my first message!
I agree with you that most translators should take more care, I too have come across some real howlers in tests, words missing and the like.
And I agree with Julian that most of the texts I translate don't deserve the translation to be spell-checked, sloppily written, so we often have to put in a fair amount of guesswork, riddled with company-specific acronyms that you can't find on Internet etc.
I do hope all is well for you in Japan Julian, and you get a good refreshing night's sreep! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 13:40
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
| Tests, Samples & Co. | Sep 16, 2013 |
In the rare cases when I'm willing to do sample tests/test translations, I pay the same attention to them as I do to all my work. The reason is simple, when I do these tests, then I am really interested in working with this clients.
| | | | Helen Hagon
Local time: 12:40
Member (2011)
Russian to English
+ ...
The whole point of a sample is to show a potential customer your usual quality of work. Therefore, putting more or less effort into it does not make it a very representative sample.
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