Translation test Thread poster: Helena Grahn
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Helena Grahn 
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:36
Member (2006)
English to Portuguese
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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]
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Ty Kendall
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:36
Hebrew to English
They must be having a laugh. There's no other explanation.
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Birthe Hansen
Denmark
Local time: 20:36
Member (2011)
Danish to German
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I agree with you and with Ty. Let's just be nice and assume, that they sent you the wrong text...
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Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 19:36
Member (2007)
English
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| 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 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
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Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 20:36
Member (2009)
English to German
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| 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.
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| 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.
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Back to basics
Brazil
Local time: 15:36
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
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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.
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Phil Hand
China
Local time: 02:36
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: 19:36
Member (2006)
English to Portuguese
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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.
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Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 20:36
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.
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