The crying game Автор темы: Heinrich Pesch
|
|---|
Heinrich Pesch 
Финляндия
Local time: 03:21
Член ProZ.com c 2003
финский => немецкий
+ ...
On Tuesday a German agency sent me a pdf with scanned documents, 9 pages. I told them my rate and required 1-2 days.
Today a British agency sends me the same file, tells me it is about 500 words and wants the translation this afternoon. I run it through Abbyy Finereader and get roughly 1500 words. I promise the translation for Monday morning but they turn it down, stating they really need it today.
| | | | | I've got a better one | Aug 10, 2012 |
That's what I found in the incoming folder yesterday:
GreedyFutureNonPayer wrote:
Hi!
We have a potential new English > Russian job, that is approximately 70,000 words long, with go ahead at 9am tomorrow morning. The rate is USD 0.03 per word
I would need your translation by 5pm UK time tomorrow.
The document is about, Finance, Oil and Gas and is a merger and acquisition based document as well.
Let me know ASAP if you can take part in this project and how many words can you do within the given time.
Thank you!
And no, there's no mistake - they do want 70 thousand words "by tomorrow" - two more companies posted similar ads here. They have to hire some 30+ people to do it in time - just imagine that mess of styles, terminology and errors the end user will come across.
| | | | neilmac
Испания
Local time: 02:21
испанский => английский
+ ...
What these people "really need" is a short, sharp, shock...
| | | | ATIL KAYHAN
Турция
Local time: 03:21
Член ProZ.com c 2007
турецкий => английский
+ ...
| What They Need | Aug 10, 2012 |
neilmac wrote:
What these people "really need" is a short, sharp, shock...
Or perhaps just Google Translate...
| | |
|
|
|
Heinrich Pesch wrote:
On Tuesday a German agency sent me a pdf with scanned documents, 9 pages. I told them my rate and required 1-2 days.
Today a British agency sends me the same file, tells me it is about 500 words and wants the translation this afternoon. I run it through Abbyy Finereader and get roughly 1500 words. I promise the translation for Monday morning but they turn it down, stating they really need it today.
I wonder whether the German agency hired the British agency, the latter promised to have it in 1-2 days, and are now in trouble because they lost time managing the project.
| | | | Phil Hand
Китай
Local time: 08:21
китайский => английский
| The way the market works | Aug 10, 2012 |
I agree that this looks silly, and the agency has obviously wasted time faffing about trying to find a cheaper translator. But that's kinda how it works. They try to find someone cheaper. They fail. Next time they know better. This process of negotiation, failure and education is an ongoing and necessary part of the market. If anything, we should be glad because this is a correct result, even though it's not a good result for the client.
| | | | | ...and all at US$0.03/word! | Aug 10, 2012 |
Roman Karabaev wrote:
And no, there's no mistake - they do want 70 thousand words "by tomorrow" - two more companies posted similar ads here. They have to hire some 30+ people to do it in time - just imagine that mess of styles, terminology and errors the end user will come across.
That's obviously not going to happen. I'm working on a 70k source word document now and the PM gave me over a month to finish it (I've translated than half of it and I'm still on schedule to complete it on time). However US$0.03/word is an outrageously low rate under any circumstances in my humble opinion.
| | | | | The three Ses | Aug 10, 2012 |
neilmac wrote:
What these people "really need" is a short, sharp, shock...
... and that's most likely what they're going to get, too.
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » The crying game | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
| | Pastey | Your smart companion app
Pastey is an innovative desktop application that bridges the gap between human expertise and artificial intelligence. With intuitive keyboard shortcuts, Pastey transforms your source text into AI-powered draft translations.
Find out more » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
