Translation test Thread poster: Helena Grahn
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Helena Grahn United Kingdom Local time: 18:01 Member (2006) English to Portuguese + ...
Today I received a translation test and when I opened it, it was a test with over 5000 words and 12 pages. This has never happened to me before. Usually it is one or two pages. I am definitely not doing this.
[Edited at 2011-11-09 12:45 GMT] | | |
Ty Kendall United Kingdom Local time: 18:01 Hebrew to English
They must be having a laugh. There's no other explanation. | | |
Birthe Hansen Denmark Local time: 19:01 Member (2011) Danish to German + ...
I agree with you and with Ty. Let's just be nice and assume, that they sent you the wrong text... | | |
Sheila Wilson Spain Local time: 18:01 Member (2007) English + ... Just one question | Nov 9, 2011 |
Hello Helena, I don't think there's much to say to that except that of course you aren't going to do it - it's absurd if it's free - could it be possible that they're expecting a quote? That wasn't actually the question I had in mind, it just slipped in. The one I intended to ask is: Did this test come from an agency or a direct client? I suppose that a direct client may not know really what... See more Hello Helena, I don't think there's much to say to that except that of course you aren't going to do it - it's absurd if it's free - could it be possible that they're expecting a quote? That wasn't actually the question I had in mind, it just slipped in. The one I intended to ask is: Did this test come from an agency or a direct client? I suppose that a direct client may not know really what they have asked you to do. I have had direct clients who seem to think I just look at a text, snap my fingers, and - hey, presto! - it's in a different language. Sheila ▲ Collapse | |
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Thayenga Germany Local time: 19:01 Member (2009) English to German + ... Someone's keeping their fingers crossed | Nov 9, 2011 |
Well, it looks a lot like that outsourcer is hoping to find a translator who will do this test. Would bring them (the outsourcer) a lot of money without having to pay the translator. You could send them an email quoting your price for this "test" translation. Then see what happens. | | |
Translate the first 250-300 words and... | Nov 9, 2011 |
... tell them how much you would charge (at your normal full rate) to translate the whole thing. As a new client, 50% of the payment is required in advance. | | |
José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote: ... tell them how much you would charge (at your normal full rate) to translate the whole thing. As a new client, 50% of the payment is required in advance. This would also be my approach; try to turn it into something possibly positive. | | |
Phil Hand China Local time: 01:01 Chinese to English Could be an honest mistake | Nov 9, 2011 |
This has happened to me once or twice - sometimes the client forgets to tell you which section they want as the test, or once I failed to notice that one particular section had been recoloured to indicate that I should do it as a test. Quick email to ask if it's a mistake, otherwise I think Jose's advice is exactly right. | |
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Helena Grahn United Kingdom Local time: 18:01 Member (2006) English to Portuguese + ... TOPIC STARTER You are right, Phil | Nov 9, 2011 |
They just want me to choose 3 paragraphs out of the text and translate it. Phew!!!! I think this explains it all. | | |
Thayenga Germany Local time: 19:01 Member (2009) English to German + ... Yes, it does. | Nov 9, 2011 |
Helena Grahn wrote: They just want me to choose 3 paragraphs out of the text and translate it. Phew!!!! I think this explains it all. That's good news and solves the problem. And you just might have won a good client. | | |