| Număr de pagini: < [1 2] | When a client wants 'corrections' that will make the translation bad Inițiatorul discuției: Malcolm Rowe
|
|---|
Becca Resnik 
Statele Unite
Local time: 10:40
Utilizator
din germană în engleză
+ ...
| To get ahead of it | May 14 |
Becca Resnik wrote:
...especially from a PM with a degree in culture and translation studies...
Before anyone gets upset: Yes, I know. Yes, I agree.
Even as someone with a translation studies degree, I don't believe that having such a degree is a make-or-break qualification of a translator. I'm only saying that she has had exposure to the practice of translation and has studied translation theory, as opposed to some random person with an internet connection who knows nothing about the field and has never had to make real-world translation decisions.
| | | |
Kay Denney wrote:
I have found, when trying to explain something to a client, that it helps if I concede one point.
Obviously I would never make a concession as such, as I have a reputation to protect, but I agree it’s sometimes a good idea to offer an alternative rather than double down on your original preference. Like when they say they don’t understand what you’ve written then there’s a genuine problem even if it’s perfectly good English. Unlike that sentence. Late. Mobile. Whatevs.
| | | |
Kay Denney wrote:
I have found, when trying to explain something to a client, that it helps if I concede one point.
I remember my colleague discussing a text about a glass chandelier hanging over a table laid with sparkling glass, silver, everything for a big party, and the translator had used the word ´immaculate´.
The client was very upset - in his world, only the Virgin Mary could be immaculate. My colleague did not quite agree, but would not give a discount. He ended up apologising and agreeing with the client that it could be changed to impressive, and everyone was more or less happy. (Except us - we liked ´immaculate´ in that context!)
As for the explanations of English words used in the source language, I usually leave them out, or occasionally insert some etymological curiosity if there is one - or go back to Latin if appropriate.
It is a far greater problem when there is some word-play in the source that is untranslatable and/or falls horribly flat when explained!
| | | | Peter Motte
Belgia
Local time: 16:40
Membru (2009)
din engleză în olandeză
+ ...
If the source text is not English, and it contains English words, I prefer to leave it untranslated. It tends to be some technical terminology which shouldn't be translated, or some internal terminology of the client.
| | |
|
|
|
Robert Rietvelt
Local time: 16:40
Membru (2006)
din spaniolă în olandeză
+ ...
| Corrections made by whom? | May 15 |
For starters, I won't make corrections which are not corrections, they can do it themselves.
I do receive 'corrected work', where so called proofreaders have 'raped' my translation. In such situations I will inform the client, and if he/she persists (this is our steady proofreader), it's up up to them. I did my professional duty, but don't come back to me when the end client is unsatisfied with the results.
I have heard that 'song' more than enough.
[Edited at 20... See more For starters, I won't make corrections which are not corrections, they can do it themselves.
I do receive 'corrected work', where so called proofreaders have 'raped' my translation. In such situations I will inform the client, and if he/she persists (this is our steady proofreader), it's up up to them. I did my professional duty, but don't come back to me when the end client is unsatisfied with the results.
I have heard that 'song' more than enough.
[Edited at 2024-05-15 18:17 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Număr de pagini: < [1 2] | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » When a client wants 'corrections' that will make the translation bad | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
| | Trados Studio 2022 Freelance | The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.
Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop
and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
