Poll: Do you outsource some of your translation work? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you outsource some of your translation work?".
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Kay Denney France Local time: 06:37 French to English
I believe my freelance status prohibits outsourcing (autoentrepreneur, in France). | | |
Yes, sometimes | May 12, 2021 |
I don’t outsource work from English, French, Spanish and Italian into European Portuguese (my work languages), but I have outsourced work when my regular customers have requests for languages I don't cover and I have been working with the same tested, approved and trusted translators for ages (some are Prozians). When the request comes from a potential new client and I’m not available or I don’t cover that particular language combination I prefer recommending specific translators. | | |
Specialist in tasty, local, pesticide-, gluten- and lactose-free home-made translations since 2000 Philippe | |
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Tom in London United Kingdom Local time: 05:37 Member (2008) Italian to English I get those jobs | May 12, 2021 |
I don't outsource myself, but I occasionally get jobs outsourced to me by other translators who trust me to do a good job.
[Edited at 2021-05-12 09:52 GMT] | | |
When you realize a job exceeds your capacity, or you are just running behind the schedule, it's better to earn 3/4 or even 2/3 of the offer than nothing, or in case of time shortage to save your reputation with the client by sharing a part of the job with a trusted colleague. However, in my case it's an occasional rather than regular practice. | | |
neilmac Spain Local time: 06:37 Spanish to English + ...
Although I'm not keen on the term "outsource", which seems terribly formal and businesslike, sometimes when I'm offered work that I can't accept or don't fancy doing myself, I will pass it on to a colleague who I think will be interested and capable. However, I don't try to make any money off the deal, I simply pass the work on to the person. | | |
Tina Vonhof (X) Canada Local time: 22:37 Dutch to English + ...
I may refer a client to a colleague when I'm not available or when I don't have expertise in the subject matter. The client then deals directly with my colleague but that's not outsourcing. | |
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Very occasionally | May 13, 2021 |
A few times in the past, when a client has asked me about a translation that falls outside my usual areas of expertise, I've passed it on to a trusted colleague who does have the expertise, with my client's agreement and on the understanding that I will do the final revision (what a lot of people erroneously refer to as proof reading). I and the other translator then split the fee. I see that kind of thing as a win-win situation. | | |
I did that once, about 20 years ago, and lost my best client. I had asked my outsourcee to keep it under wraps, but of course that was an invitation for her to blab. | | |