| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Proofreader reworded my translation Thread poster: Ryan Green
|
|---|
Paula Borges 
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:04
Member (2010)
Ingiriisi to Portuguese
+ ...
I feel your frustration. When doing proofreading work, I make sure to point out why I am recommending certain changes, and I would like the translator to be able to have that document. But it doesn't always work that way.
Most of the time when I translate, the client will change something before publishing the text. At first it frustrated me a lot, because they usually change it for the worse, normally horrid grammar mistakes, even non-existent words. But what can I do? They are the... See more I feel your frustration. When doing proofreading work, I make sure to point out why I am recommending certain changes, and I would like the translator to be able to have that document. But it doesn't always work that way.
Most of the time when I translate, the client will change something before publishing the text. At first it frustrated me a lot, because they usually change it for the worse, normally horrid grammar mistakes, even non-existent words. But what can I do? They are the clients, they are paying me for it and if they want to publish disturbing texts, that is their problem. I won't make the same mistake of defending myself unless it is required. They are often quite happy with their choices. I did my work, and I always do the best I can, and I will always save MY copy of it, just in case.
In the past I tried to argue back, because I was scared that they would blame me in case something went wrong, but I met overly confident company directors or agency coordinators, whom despite having no experience, fluency or qualifications felt that they could do better. Mind you, I have seen company executives trying to use babelfish to translate reports. Sometimes you'll be dealing with clients like that: they think your work is easy and exact.
It used to upset me a lot, but now I've learnt to let it go. I normally prepare a document explaining why I've made the choices I have, in case they get back at me, but they NEVER have.
There has been all sorts of cases I could rant about. If kindly asked, I am willing to redo my work, replacing words and whatnot. But I realised translating would require a lot of emotional strenght when an agency gave out my phone number to a client, who called me in the middle of the night to scream at me for using "reach" instead of "access".
You gotta take it with a pinch of salt. I had a client once who decided to argue with me that the word "monthly" did not exist and published the following term instead: "menstrual payments".
go figure.
[Edited at 2010-02-28 12:54 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-02-28 12:55 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-02-28 12:57 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-02-28 13:00 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | It happens, and it hurts! | Feb 28, 2010 |
I have told several tales of the same kind in these forums... And as I also proofread for agencies, I have sometimes sent texts back that were more red than black...
I have also sent texts back unchanged, or with just a couple of minor typos corrected in 20 pages... and ´My compliments to the translator.´
It does take an enormous amount of time to explain point for point why you disagree, but it may be worth it, or at least choose a few and insist that you are right t... See more I have told several tales of the same kind in these forums... And as I also proofread for agencies, I have sometimes sent texts back that were more red than black...
I have also sent texts back unchanged, or with just a couple of minor typos corrected in 20 pages... and ´My compliments to the translator.´
It does take an enormous amount of time to explain point for point why you disagree, but it may be worth it, or at least choose a few and insist that you are right there.
Ask for the proofreader´s justification for the changes, so that you can learn from them and do better another time. This is only fair!
When I worked in-house, the agency´s policy was that the proofreader should call the translator and explain the changes one by one! That was a very healthy exercise for me as a complete newcomer. I also learnt a lot from listening to a couple of experienced colleagues discussing texts with translators.
It hurts to have your text criticised, and I learnt how important it is for a proofreader to tell the translator where the translation was good too. Especially when someone read my texts and gave me advice... I could then accept criticism quite happily!
Learn what you can from the experience. Accept if necessary that you are translating for the PM and the proofreader as much as the client, and THAT may be a delicate balancing act. But it is not worth losing a lot of sleep over it.
*****
Kantian´s tale of people preferring ´Ingles pra Brasilerio´ to the real thing is true in many parts of the world, and we British like to poke fun at everyone else, but we have to accept the fact that English is many different things to different people, and adapt our style accordingly. It is a matter of writing what the target readers will understand.
It often pays to ask the agency who exactly you are writing for. It is not a silly question. Knowing your target reader is absolutely necessary if you are going to do a professional piece of work.
Best of luck! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kevin Fulton
United States
Local time: 10:04
German to Ingiriisi
| A lot depends on the text | Feb 28, 2010 |
I've edited a number of translations of essays, articles and marketing pieces. As an editor/checker it's possible to be confronted with a text with, say 100 sentences, each one a good translation in its own right. However, the translation as a whole may need some editing/rewriting to make the text hang together stylistically and achieve its intended purpose. This doesn't necessarily mean the translated document itself is defective -- it just reads like a translation. Editing changes need to be v... See more I've edited a number of translations of essays, articles and marketing pieces. As an editor/checker it's possible to be confronted with a text with, say 100 sentences, each one a good translation in its own right. However, the translation as a whole may need some editing/rewriting to make the text hang together stylistically and achieve its intended purpose. This doesn't necessarily mean the translated document itself is defective -- it just reads like a translation. Editing changes need to be viewed in the wider context of the document. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Pages in topic: < [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 » Proofreader reworded my translation | 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 » |
| | LinguaCore | AI Translation at Your Fingertips
The underlying LLM technology of LinguaCore offers AI translations of unprecedented quality. Quick and simple. Add a human linguistic review at the end for expert-level quality at a fraction of the cost and time.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
