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Terminological work: :How should I charge?
Thread poster: Natalia Elo
Natalia Elo
Natalia Elo  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 05:15
English to Russian
+ ...
Oct 14, 2004

I've been asked to quote for revising and adding Russian terms in a glossary. How should I charge? Per term or per hour? Any opinion is welcomed.

I'm doing similar sort of work at the moment on hourly basis calculated from my full-time salary from the times I worked for them on-site, but I don't think it will suit this new client.

Any ideas?

Natalia
 
Erika Pavelka (X)
Erika Pavelka (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 23:15
French to English
By the hour Oct 14, 2004

I always charge terminology research by the hour. It's the simplest method, in my opinion.

Erika
 
Natalia Elo
Natalia Elo  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 05:15
English to Russian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Interesting point I didn't think about Oct 14, 2004

Tayfun Torunoglu wrote:

If the glossary is a simple one, like added as annexes to books perhaps hourly fee may be charged.

But if the glossary is a kind of dictionary to be published and your work is to build such a dictionary, I think you should request a percent over sales price and claim copyright.
[Edited at 2004-10-14 17:38]


It is going to be published. And I didn't even think about this point of view. So, thank you, for the idea!

But it will not be anything huge and spectacular. It is a new edition of the old existing glossary. I will be responsible only for the Russian terms. They do the whole scope of the work: concepts, concept systems, definitions, other languages etc. I only have to revise and, if the term is missing, to add Russian term into the glossary.

I am familiar with the area of specialisation, actually I translated a number of texts using the old version of the glossary.
 
Alaa Zeineldine
Alaa Zeineldine  Identity Verified
Egypt
Local time: 05:15
Member (2002)
English to Arabic
+ ...
Related question Oct 15, 2004

What if the glossary relates to a larger book that you will be translating too, would you charge separately for the glossary, or would you accept to include it in the charge for the book? The client requires that the glossary be done separately so that it is used accross the project by translators and reviewers.
 
Cristiana Coblis
Cristiana Coblis  Identity Verified
Romania
Local time: 06:15
Member (2004)
English to Romanian
+ ...
glossary Oct 15, 2004

I have clients that include glossary preparation in the price for translation. It is an exceptional case, being as it is, a step in a larger quality assurance process and the project a very large one and a special one. So in this case, my job consists of reading the text, preparing a glossary with translation proposals for some terms I find in the text I will translate. Then the glossary is sent to validators and then I receive the validated glossary. After I receive the validated glossary I sta... See more
I have clients that include glossary preparation in the price for translation. It is an exceptional case, being as it is, a step in a larger quality assurance process and the project a very large one and a special one. So in this case, my job consists of reading the text, preparing a glossary with translation proposals for some terms I find in the text I will translate. Then the glossary is sent to validators and then I receive the validated glossary. After I receive the validated glossary I start translating. Then I re-read my translation to insure that all instructions are met in the translation, including terms in the glossary. So, this is established by contract and this is the way this client works.

Other clients work differently. For instance, they select the terms from the text I will translate and send me a list of source terms that I must find translations for. Also, they send previous glossaries and multilingual glossaries as resources, obviously the source text. Then the glossary is validated and after that I can start work on the translation. This is paid separately. This was paid per source word on a different rate, about the double of what I usually charge this client for translation.

Even when the client does not specifically requests a glossary, I always think it is a good idea to prepare one before translating, if there is enough time. I find this is very helpful when I start translation. It insures good comprehension of the text and you have an useful tool for future project, especially for recurrent clients or on-going projects.

So, both approaches are possible, you should see what is best for you, depending on the project and on the client.

Kind regards. ▲ Collapse
 
Cristiana Coblis
Cristiana Coblis  Identity Verified
Romania
Local time: 06:15
Member (2004)
English to Romanian
+ ...
I understand now :) Oct 15, 2004

This is not so much a glossary preparation, but a revision job. You should therefore charge by the hour and charge your revision rate for translations to be published. You will need to pay very close attention to a number of factors, so this is not really easy. I would suggest your maximum rate, because for reference texts that are going to be published there is a high quality standard.

Also, may I suggest that you inquire about copyright and contracts for similar work in your count... See more
This is not so much a glossary preparation, but a revision job. You should therefore charge by the hour and charge your revision rate for translations to be published. You will need to pay very close attention to a number of factors, so this is not really easy. I would suggest your maximum rate, because for reference texts that are going to be published there is a high quality standard.

Also, may I suggest that you inquire about copyright and contracts for similar work in your country. Usually this depends on your national law and you should check that you are not accepting by contract to give up certain right that you have legally.

The best of luck with your project. ▲ Collapse
 


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Terminological work: :How should I charge?







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