Use my CAT-tool for translation tests? Thread poster: Hannah Jäger
| Hannah Jäger Germany Local time: 21:14 English to German + ...
Dear translation fellows, I wanted to ask you how you would handle the following situation: You apply as a translator in a well-established company. The potential employer asks you to do a translation test in order to evaluate your translation and language skills. Great linguistic knowledge, as well as good translation skills, are essential for this job position. In his instructions, he/she doesn't mention the use of CAT tools or online dictionaries in any way - he/she ... See more Dear translation fellows, I wanted to ask you how you would handle the following situation: You apply as a translator in a well-established company. The potential employer asks you to do a translation test in order to evaluate your translation and language skills. Great linguistic knowledge, as well as good translation skills, are essential for this job position. In his instructions, he/she doesn't mention the use of CAT tools or online dictionaries in any way - he/she neither recommends them nor prohibits them. My question: Would you naturally use your CAT - tool for this test? Or just your dictionaries? Or maybe even no aid at all? Note: The company itself also works with CAT-tools. I would also do so in this job position. - Thanks a lot for sharing your personal opinion and experience and have a great day! Greetings, Hannah ▲ Collapse | | | Tom in London United Kingdom Local time: 20:14 Member (2008) Italian to English
If I were you, I would do it as you usually do all your translations - using a CAT tool if that's what you do (but not relying on it to produce a good translation). The recipient will never know what tools you used.
[Edited at 2020-07-15 15:44 GMT] | | | Samuel Murray Netherlands Local time: 21:14 Member (2006) English to Afrikaans + ...
Hannah Jäger wrote: In his instructions, he/she doesn't mention the use of CAT tools or online dictionaries in any way - he/she neither recommends them nor prohibits them. My question: Would you naturally use your CAT - tool for this test? Or just your dictionaries? Or maybe even no aid at all? Using a CAT tool is a normal part of a translator's job, and the CAT tool does not improve the translator's translating skill -- it simply helps him translate more easily. It's true that the CAT tool has additional quality control features that you would otherwise have to perform manually, but I think it's okay to use the CAT tool. It's like worrying if you're cheating if you use the spell-checker. If the client truly wants you to translate without techmology, he would have requested the translation in longhand. I think just about the only thing you're not allowed to do, is consult other translators or get your translation edited by someone before delivery. Although I've participated in a number of translation test situations where it was considered normal to have the translation proofread before delivery, I don't think it should be done. You should show the client what you are capable of in isolation. Some translators feel quite strongly that people who do test translations should not consult online forums. I think it's not a problem, as long as you're not asking your colleagues to do the test for you.
[Edited at 2020-07-15 15:53 GMT] | | | No big advantage | Jul 15, 2020 |
A translation test should normally be small (for example 300 words and the like), and for small standalone projects, a CAT tool does not help much. CAT tools are more useful for bigger projects where you maintain and improve a TM and TB over time. I work very much with CATs, but even so, I normally don't use one for translation tests. Except, maybe, if the source contains a lot of code or tags. | |
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DZiW (X) Ukraine English to Russian + ...
Hannah, be wary with ‘free tests’ and ‘best rates’, because usually (1) references, (2) a relevant portfolio, and (3) a short interview should nicely do—or they must be looking for something really needy and different instead. While CATs are ok with techy and repetitive texts, they are rather useless for fiction and creative works rich in stylistics approaches and devices. You decide, but don’t let “Never translate the same or similar again!” into “Never be paid fo... See more Hannah, be wary with ‘free tests’ and ‘best rates’, because usually (1) references, (2) a relevant portfolio, and (3) a short interview should nicely do—or they must be looking for something really needy and different instead. While CATs are ok with techy and repetitive texts, they are rather useless for fiction and creative works rich in stylistics approaches and devices. You decide, but don’t let “Never translate the same or similar again!” into “Never be paid for translating the same or similar again!” Take care ▲ Collapse | | | Hannah Jäger Germany Local time: 21:14 English to German + ... TOPIC STARTER thank you all | Jul 16, 2020 |
thank you all very much for sharing your helpful advice with me! Have a great day | | |
The fact that you use the terms ‘employer’ and ‘job position’ makes me wonder if you’re being invited to a pre-selection test for an in-house job…
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