Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | Off topic: Urgent need of horrible stories on sleepless, non-ending translating nights... Thread poster: mariana24
| mariana24 Uruguay Local time: 09:32 Spanish + ... TOPIC STARTER Thank you all, and...keep it coming! It DOES help! | Nov 6, 2007 |
Thank you all so very much!! You've made me laugh, and indeed you have given me support, but what I appreciate more is that more or less all of you have been there (well...here), and that is very good to know. I know it is not impossible, I know it will be hard, I THINK I can do it, I know I will probably not be agreeable either, but it's still a challenge, and I love challenging myself. I really appre... See more Thank you all so very much!! You've made me laugh, and indeed you have given me support, but what I appreciate more is that more or less all of you have been there (well...here), and that is very good to know. I know it is not impossible, I know it will be hard, I THINK I can do it, I know I will probably not be agreeable either, but it's still a challenge, and I love challenging myself. I really appreciate your stories, seriously. I know there are a lot of us doing crazy things like what I am starting now and what many of you have shared. It is part of the freelancer's reality after all, isn't it? Henry, I will hit the sack at regular intervals (when my head falls on the keybord), no doubt about that! Margreet, your strategy is very similar to mine, and it has worked up to now (thanks a milliion for your cheering word count!) And if it is as cathartic to you as it is useful to me, keep it coming!! Here I go!! Mariana ▲ Collapse | | | Throw reserve troops into the battle (if there are any) | Nov 6, 2007 |
Hello, My horror story is about 60 pages (hardcopy, no pics or diagrams) in 2 days. I assume there were ~ 25k words, but I never counted as we agreed on the price per total. To make the things worse I could not scan it as there was "CONFIDENTIAL" running in very big letters across every page. So I had to bring in my "speech recognition" reserve - my wife who also knows English. She is much better at typing than I am, so I dictated to her and that way we did it at the price of... See more Hello, My horror story is about 60 pages (hardcopy, no pics or diagrams) in 2 days. I assume there were ~ 25k words, but I never counted as we agreed on the price per total. To make the things worse I could not scan it as there was "CONFIDENTIAL" running in very big letters across every page. So I had to bring in my "speech recognition" reserve - my wife who also knows English. She is much better at typing than I am, so I dictated to her and that way we did it at the price of just two sleepless nights. I am afraid we will not be able to go to such extremes anymore - now we've got two kids. Still, when the deadline gets really unfriendly we sometimes use the same tactics for a few hours. Best of luck, Valery ▲ Collapse | | | Ana Alves Local time: 11:32 English to Portuguese been there... | Nov 6, 2007 |
When I worked for TV, it was pretty normal to do "translation marathons". I had to translate the documentaries and put the time codes on the translation (using the documentary itself). One night I was so tired that when I got to the part of placing the time codes, I simply fell asleep on the computer.... As someone mentioned before, stop every couple of hours, even if just for a few minutes. Walk around the house, stretch the muscles, eat something if you're hungry... you'll feel be... See more When I worked for TV, it was pretty normal to do "translation marathons". I had to translate the documentaries and put the time codes on the translation (using the documentary itself). One night I was so tired that when I got to the part of placing the time codes, I simply fell asleep on the computer.... As someone mentioned before, stop every couple of hours, even if just for a few minutes. Walk around the house, stretch the muscles, eat something if you're hungry... you'll feel better. Ana
[Edited at 2007-11-06 12:38] ▲ Collapse | | |
i was once asked to do a translation which was two files on cd and a hardcopy document of 30 pages I asked when the deadline was and was told yesterday. when i opened the cd up the two documents were in total well over 100 pages all of very heavy going Islamic religous rhetoric. i think the total pages for the three was in the region of 140-180 fortunately i only had to summarize the salient points but to do this you have to actually translate everything first you just don't need to write it all... See more i was once asked to do a translation which was two files on cd and a hardcopy document of 30 pages I asked when the deadline was and was told yesterday. when i opened the cd up the two documents were in total well over 100 pages all of very heavy going Islamic religous rhetoric. i think the total pages for the three was in the region of 140-180 fortunately i only had to summarize the salient points but to do this you have to actually translate everything first you just don't need to write it all down. I have a full time job and moonlight as a free lancer managed to do them in a week but late nights and early mornings. the client was happy enough though. no idea how many words it was but as we agreed on an hourly price it was fine ▲ Collapse | |
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Irene N United States Local time: 07:32 English to Russian + ... Backup, backup, backup | Nov 6, 2007 |
In 3 places - on another computer if you have one, CD, memory stick, printout - whatever, every half-day as a minimum. Try to do the "bigger half" in the first 4 days and whenever possible don't spend too much time trying to figure things out or polish everything at a first approach. Big chance is that it'll dawn on you as you go, or the explanation resides somewhere 10 pages later and tomorrow you'll get back to it and edit the sentence in a blink of an eye. Don't delay editing un... See more In 3 places - on another computer if you have one, CD, memory stick, printout - whatever, every half-day as a minimum. Try to do the "bigger half" in the first 4 days and whenever possible don't spend too much time trying to figure things out or polish everything at a first approach. Big chance is that it'll dawn on you as you go, or the explanation resides somewhere 10 pages later and tomorrow you'll get back to it and edit the sentence in a blink of an eye. Don't delay editing until the last day. This would be a nice break and much less work and panic in the end if you'll have it 90% edited every 2 days and leave primarily proofreading for the final leg. I assume you have no time and/or nerves to answer stupid questions like Why at all?:-) Good luck! Irene ▲ Collapse | | | mariana24 Uruguay Local time: 09:32 Spanish + ... TOPIC STARTER
Hi Irene, and everyone above her (on the page), and thanks very much for your advice and sharing your experiences. It really does help, believe me, I am happy I've posted this... Now, to this: I assume you have no time and/or nerves to answer stupid questions like Why at all?:-) Would "I'm "peso-less" after my recent move to a new house and desperately need the money" satisfy you? Because that is exactly why I said yes. The good thing is...I'M ENJOYING IT!!! It turned out to be quite an easy translation, well written, clear and simple, so I'm not really minding the dark parts of it all. Or probably I'm too much of an optimistic, who knows Thanks very much all again!! (At this moment I enjoy your horror stories in a weird, sick way...) Mariana | | | Angela Dickson (X) United Kingdom Local time: 12:32 French to English + ... could be worse... | Nov 7, 2007 |
there was a radio presenter in the UK some time in the 1980s, who was presenting the daily live morning show (the Today programme) and fell asleep while asking a question... they played the clip a few weeks ago, and she kept talking but stopped making sense. It was very funny... so yes, at least if you fall asleep over your work you haven't got 15 million people listening to you! | | | LIKE NEW BORN BABIES | Nov 9, 2007 |
Horrible stories? Which do you prefer? Having a little baby a deadline a nice husband, all in a row and yes! little time and being myself a heavy sleeper? What else can you ask? I just remember 3 of the most terrible ones first just like Henry says I worked until I dropped, (best thing to do!). My huband had to take me like a mummy stiff arms and yet wiggling fingers but in the lowest motion ... (yes like a half dead spider... hahahaha) to bed to try to get some sleep as I h... See more Horrible stories? Which do you prefer? Having a little baby a deadline a nice husband, all in a row and yes! little time and being myself a heavy sleeper? What else can you ask? I just remember 3 of the most terrible ones first just like Henry says I worked until I dropped, (best thing to do!). My huband had to take me like a mummy stiff arms and yet wiggling fingers but in the lowest motion ... (yes like a half dead spider... hahahaha) to bed to try to get some sleep as I had been 3 days nonsleep, no food, no nothing... yes it took me a while to get sleep, I was like a zombie, when I woke up everything was different, even my baby. (oh! the worse, it was just with a typewriter!) so therefore, no saving, no editing, blah blah blah... 2nd, this was even worse! new at work, a difficult boss, a whole binder in the least possible time, to show off my skills I stayed unpaid overtime for 3 days plus my full working time to finish and I did even much before of what it was expected, just to find on the very day 4th, that it was all gone I was new to this computer world, and somehow I had erased all!!! I was shocked, in such a shock that I redid everything in less than 1.5 days again! yes all over!! The only comment was "well I thought you could take shorter time for such kind of work". I never said a word about my having erased all! 3rd, just this Feb-May (after some yrs) now having to take 4hr breaks to rest my back, I just remember I went to bed at any time just to barely recover and keep on going. Maybe taking 1 hr 9am. 2hrs 8-10, some days maybe up to 11 and just that for almost 4 months, (this reminded me pretty much the time my baby was just born...) What actually makes you go? The money you are getting, the places you will visit, the things you are going to buy, the rumpunch you will be sipping as you remember these awful days... So if you have babies just remember that time and you will make it work, GOOD LUCK! ▲ Collapse | |
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Vito Smolej Germany Local time: 13:32 Member (2004) English to Slovenian + ... SITE LOCALIZER 38K words in 8 days | Nov 9, 2007 |
Make yourself a schedule (in Excel for instance) of progression - start / end of work period, words translated + cumulative. It works wonders - especially the last few miles. Avoids panic attacks. | | | MariusV Lithuania Local time: 14:32 English to Lithuanian + ... well, not impossible | Nov 12, 2007 |
My worst nightmare was 17900 words in 3 days. More exactly - in 72 hours Would not like to repeat that. 38000 words in 8 days - well, possible. But I suggest spending at least 20 % of that cash for a short holiday. Moreover, I noticed one interesting thing - the last couple of kilometres in such a marathon seem to be the worst and the most difficult. Not even physically. BUT AS SOON as one delivers the j... See more My worst nightmare was 17900 words in 3 days. More exactly - in 72 hours Would not like to repeat that. 38000 words in 8 days - well, possible. But I suggest spending at least 20 % of that cash for a short holiday. Moreover, I noticed one interesting thing - the last couple of kilometres in such a marathon seem to be the worst and the most difficult. Not even physically. BUT AS SOON as one delivers the job, it appears suddenly that this job was not that much of a nightmare. And then new nightmares to be expected (despite that you say to oneself "I am an idiot - why did I take that crazy volume under such a deadline?" when doing the job)... ▲ Collapse | | | patyjs Mexico Local time: 06:32 Spanish to English + ... Almost there, | Nov 12, 2007 |
Hi Mariana, Hope your job is going well and you're having as much fun with it as in your last post. I suspect not. You're probably overtired and hating it right now. But hang in there, girl. You can do it! Best Paty
[Edited at 2007-11-12 09:35] | | | mariana24 Uruguay Local time: 09:32 Spanish + ... TOPIC STARTER Almost there! | Nov 12, 2007 |
patyjs wrote: Hi Mariana, Hope your job is going well and you're having as much fun with it as in your last post. I suspect not. You're probably overtired and hating it right now. But hang in there, girl. You can do it! Best Paty [Edited at 2007-11-12 09:35] Sure I can patyjs!! Thanks a million. Not only I am one day away (today) from finishing it, but I will deliver before the deadline! Can't believe how much I´ve worked, but as many people here say...it's not been THAT bad. Thank you all. Again, your support has been really important. Cheers. Mariana | |
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AnnieAnne Local time: 08:32 English to French Oh yes.... I had one ! | Nov 12, 2007 |
mariana24 wrote: Hi, I have just accepted a 38,000 words project that I have to complete in a little less than 8 days. I count on your invaluable support (you may lie if you find it necessary, I don't mind at all) telling me your stories on even more horrible things that you might have done to yourself. I already admire you. Thank you in advance, and wish me luck:roll: Mariana I worked full time and did translations... almost full time too. I had this big project with small deadline and it seem it was doomed from the beginning. Computers crashes, crashes and.... crashes. I end up buying a new laptop because the other was, I guess, allergic to this contract ! Very bad experience for me because it was one of my first contract. | | | Mari Noller United Kingdom Local time: 12:32 English to Norwegian + ... There must be limits though | Nov 26, 2007 |
Nice to hear I'm not the only one with horrible deadlines and volumes. I once got this 20 000 word job that had to be completed in 4 days, midway through I receive an urgent phone call from the client; they had actually sent me the wrong file! Luckily they offered to pay me for the new file and the work I had already done But a more ser... See more | | | Adieu Ukrainian to English + ... it gets EASIER after day 2! | Nov 30, 2007 |
As a kid, I had once done 75,000 words in 92 hours, just short of four days. Needless to say, I slept in two shifts of 3 hours sleep - 8 hours work - 1 hour to eat etc. per day. Obviously, I had been running on energy drinks and the occasional shot of vodka (coffee was killing me by day 2 and I really had no appetite anymore). The translations were, obviously, not that hard - big pharma's interviews with physicians and cardiologists about statin use for atherosclerosis prevention a... See more As a kid, I had once done 75,000 words in 92 hours, just short of four days. Needless to say, I slept in two shifts of 3 hours sleep - 8 hours work - 1 hour to eat etc. per day. Obviously, I had been running on energy drinks and the occasional shot of vodka (coffee was killing me by day 2 and I really had no appetite anymore). The translations were, obviously, not that hard - big pharma's interviews with physicians and cardiologists about statin use for atherosclerosis prevention and treatment in patients with extreme levels of low-density lipoprotein - half marketing, half medical. And, as you probably realize by now, I was 20 years old and absolutely, ridiculously broke. How did I manage it? I wasted the first 3 hours of those 92 on getting a new natural keyboard and a large LCD widescreen. If you don't own the proper chair, keyboard, and screen, your productivity will suffer. Also, try sitting with your legs crossed - it dramatically improves posture, which might not bother you on hour 4, but will catch up on hour 12 or so of your workday! Personally, what I've found to work is removing the armrests and back off of an old wide office chair to enable sitting cross-legged in front of your computer. If you are not on a natural keyboard yet - get one, it takes maybe 2 hours to adapt. Also, never, ever go to sleep immediately after a double shift of translating - always watch 30 minutes of television or go for a walk, anything at all, just do something else! Else, the dreaded topic is guaranteed to haunt you in your sleep.... Well, have fun! It's these crazy hectic projects that really hone our skills... And, once you are finished, you can look back on it with pride. Oh, and take a vacation without any guilt or remorse! ▲ Collapse | | | Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Urgent need of horrible stories on sleepless, non-ending translating nights... Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
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