ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | Sometimes

Diana Obermeyer — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 16:26:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Diana Obermeyer
Post title: Sometimes

[quote]Mario Chavez wrote:

I've done free test translations as part of a job interview process. It's part of the cost of “doing business.”
. [/quote]

Pretty much.

If the test is short and sweet, and the client appears attractive, I will do a free test without deadline.
A paid test is just an assignment. That's available to anyone who is happy to pay my rates.

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | Is there an alternative?

Mario Freitas — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 01:00:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Mario Freitas
Post title: Is there an alternative?

Actually, more than 70% (maybe more) of my regular clients asked me for a sample translation. Had I been reluctant with that, waht would the results be in my portfolio? It's not very smart, IMO, to refuse to do sample tests, as long as the client or agency has a good reputation in the market and the sample is not abusive (too big).

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | it depends

Gianluca Marras — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 06:34:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Gianluca Marras
Post title: it depends

If it is a general request like:
we are expanding our database... no thanks

If it comes with a specific request, as it happened a some time ago, when I was asked to provide a test patent translation in 3 different fields (I could choose 1 to 3). That was a reasonable request and I accepted.

So basically if we are talking, seriously talking, about a future cooperation and terms and rates have already been agreed, I am available.
If I think you are just collecting CV's and Test translations, for something that can come up one day, maybe, ok I am busy thank you

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | Yes and No

Julian Holmes — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 04:44:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Julian Holmes
Post title: Yes and No

For a fee - Yes
For free - No

I might do a few things - like reviewing a short passage or translating an extra line here and there - for regular customers 'on the house.' However, potential customers do not get freebies; they have to pay my minimum charge. Besides, having been in business full-time as a translator for the past 32 years translating from a language that is regarded as one of the most difficult on the planet must tell a potential customer something.
And, if potential customers talk about potential large volumes of work, then they should put it on the table up front. So, in the words of Willie Nelson, "So, you show me yours and I'll you mine." :smile:

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | Yes

Elizabeth Tamblin (X) — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 19:31:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Elizabeth Tamblin (X)
Post title: Yes

I never did work out how to make a good CV, so if I get the chance to impress via a test, I'm happy to try.

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | Not often

Wendy Streitparth — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 17:52:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Wendy Streitparth
Post title: Not often

But if it is a topic which really interests me and I am keen to do the translation, then yes.

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | No

neilmac — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 17:43:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: neilmac
Post title: No

[quote]Muriel Vasconcellos wrote:

I'm too busy translating. [/quote]

Same here.

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | If...

Stephanie Mitchel — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 16:15:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Stephanie Mitchel
Post title: If...

... it's short (

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | It depends on who's asking

Mario Chavez (X) — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 14:33:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Mario Chavez (X)
Post title: It depends on who's asking

I've done free test translations as part of a job interview process. It's part of the cost of “doing business.”

If the prospective customer strikes me as worthy of earning my trust (and I offer my trust in return), I have no problem accepting a short translation test for free.

Translation tests are not and should not be part of your resume or project history. These tests are a means to an end: getting a project, a new client, a lucrative project lasting a few months or a year or two.

I don't fully get those who are so rigid they say “I never do free translation tests!” One has to retain some flexibility to compete.

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | I made my point

Pieter Beens — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 10:45:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Pieter Beens
Post title: I made my point

I made my point at [url removed]

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | On occasion, yes.

Nikki Scott-Despaigne — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 10:39:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Nikki Scott-Despaigne
Post title: On occasion, yes.

I have no qualms about a potential client wishing to see if the work I do suits his/her needs. Direct clients usually come through word of mouth and will not ask for a test to be done. Agencies generally ask for a short test or two. Beyond that, to a large degree, every piece of work is a test. Like actors, to a certain extent, we are only as good as our last job. But let me nuance that last remark. We do not have the final word on how the client will use the piece of work we have done. It can be proofread and altered beyond recognition.

I have had the experience of a (French) communication agency client making signficant modifications to the text I'd translated into English that was for a beautifully glossy brochure for a shipyard. The shipyard was a direct client of mine too and a long-standng one. I was their natural choice for the job.
However, the communication agency altered my text in-house by someone who has studied for a degree in English (that they had failed). The final text sent to the shipyard was full of mistakes that only a non-native could have made. A client of the shipyard asked the shipyard "Who does your translations? They're terrible. Don't use them again!" I lost the client due to a comment from one of their clients, a remark that was totally justified but that was simply not about my work. I was furious. I lnever accepted any work from that communication agency again and the shipyard stopping using my services shortly afterwards.

[Edited at 2017-12-08 10:40 GMT]

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | No - I don't have time

Muriel Vasconcellos (X) — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 10:34:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
Post title: No - I don't have time

I'm too busy translating.

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | I don't mind

Kay Denney — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 10:25:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Kay Denney
Post title: I don't mind

I'm happy to do free tests for most agencies I work with, in that they are good friends (most being former colleagues at the agency I used to work at). At max 200 words I can get it done in a jiffy. The test is often part of the future translation, which is paid for as part of the job, provided the end client chooses the agency. Being reasonably confident that my work is good, I can thus be reasonably confident that I'll get the job. It happens often enough for me not to mind the few times it doesn't.
The test does have to be well within my comfort zone though. No venturing into new waters nowadays, my comfort zone is large enough to keep me in work.

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | Yes

Yetta Jensen Bogarde — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 10:20:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Yetta Jensen Bogarde
Post title: Yes

Yes, and I find it quite fun.
I do free test translations to up to 300 words, if I think it is worth it.

And actually, the quality of the test and the way it gets evaluated provides me with valuable information about the agency.

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | I don't trust anymore.

Concepción Martín — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 10:19:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Concepción Martín
Post title: I don't trust anymore.

I think it is reasonable for the client to check whether the translation style is right for him. However, with the experiences I've had in this regard, I have the feeling that with many tests a translation is completed and only needs to be proofread...

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | Kind of

The Shredder — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 09:50:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: The Shredder
Post title: Kind of

I like to think every translation is a test translation

[halo emoji]

But actually, no. I don't get out of bed for less than my minimum charge, darling.

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | Yes

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 09:26:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Post title: Yes

I'm happy to do a translation test (paid or unpaid), providing we have already agreed on price and payment and there is no deadline set for the test, so I can do it at my own pace. I would rather do a translation test for free than sending diplomas, references and the like and having to fill endless forms. Anyway, that’s how I got some of my best clients (direct clients and translation agencies) and some of my highest-paid assignments.

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | on test translation

abdur wakeel — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 09:11:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: abdur wakeel
Post title: on test translation

I do accept it but it should be paid , further it builds your credibility in the eyes of your client

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | Yes

Marjolein Snippe — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 08:39:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Marjolein Snippe
Post title: Yes

I don't mind test translations as long as they are reasonably short and do not come with a deadline.
As a client, I would want to be able to judge the competence of the translators I work with, and as a translator I prefer test translations to providing references, because I recon most of my clients are busy enough without having to provide references for me and others.

Poll: Do you accept test translations? | depends

Jan Truper — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 08:29:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: Jan Truper
Post title: depends

I accept test translations when they are either paid, or when they are very short and the agency/client is dangling a mighty fine carrot in front of my nose.

Poll: Do you accept test translations?

ProZ.com Staff — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 08:10:02 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you accept test translations?
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you accept test translations?".

This poll was originally submitted by Robert Daraban. View the poll results »