Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Free translation tests Thread poster: Séverine Watson
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Hi everyone, After seven years as an in-house translator, I'm trying to make it into the world of freelancing. I am very much aware that competition is fierce and that you may have to go down the route of tests/trials and possibly even a free translation in order to get your foot in the door. What I would like to know is, where to draw the line? If it's a test, my gut feeling is that you can tell the quality of my work within 300-500 words. I've found a po... See more Hi everyone, After seven years as an in-house translator, I'm trying to make it into the world of freelancing. I am very much aware that competition is fierce and that you may have to go down the route of tests/trials and possibly even a free translation in order to get your foot in the door. What I would like to know is, where to draw the line? If it's a test, my gut feeling is that you can tell the quality of my work within 300-500 words. I've found a potential avenue, but I'm being asked to translate 60 subtitles in the space of four hours - what I failed to ask at the time was what that meant in volume. Do you think that this is excessive or is this standard practice? Many thanks for your help. Séverine ▲ Collapse | | | Not too much | Jan 30, 2020 |
Hi To make free trial translations is sometimes necessary or required by new clients. However, a trial is ALWAYS very small and should not look like an entire document -- you may understand easily the reasons why. For example, shouldn't exceed several lines or half a page or just 300 words. If former clients request you to pass through trials again, just ask to be paid, with a lower rate of course. | | | Samuel Murray Netherlands Local time: 10:16 Member (2006) English to Afrikaans + ...
Séverine Watson wrote: I am very much aware that competition is fierce and that you may have to go down the route of tests/trials and possibly even a free translation in order to get your foot in the door. What I would like to know is, where to draw the line? An appropriate limit for a test or a free translation is 30-60 minutes of work. This means a simple translation of about 200-300 words. For any job paid by the hour, it means... well... between half and hour and one hour's actual work. I'm being asked to translate 60 subtitles in the space of four hours - what I failed to ask at the time was what that meant in volume. While you may actually be able to translate 60 subtitles in 4 hours (that's 200 words per hour, if we assume 2 lines of teletext per screen), it's still 4 hours' work, which is much too long for a test. However, if you have nothing better to do, then... why not. At least you'll learn something about your limits. | | | DZiW (X) Ukraine English to Russian + ... The needy agree to anything | Jan 30, 2020 |
Looking for the time when (1) credentials, (2) a relevant portfolio, (3) references, and (4) a short interview will be more than enough... Besides, why not negotiate a paid test? A sensible direct client would be even better though. P.S. It's quite professional to have the 'absolute bottom' when it's high time to say 'Have a nice day too' and just walk away. | |
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Michael Newton United States Local time: 05:16 Japanese to English + ... Free translation tests | Jan 30, 2020 |
Be careful. Some agencies will request a "test" which is really a bidding sample for a large project. Be assured that if the sample passes, you will not get the work. | | | Sheila Wilson Spain Local time: 09:16 Member (2007) English + ... The important criteria, IMO | Jan 30, 2020 |
Samuel Murray wrote: An appropriate limit for a test or a free translation is 30-60 minutes of work. Laurent Mercky wrote: a trial is ALWAYS very small and should not look like an entire document To which I would add that I would never agree to submit a free sample (I'd never call it a "test" but maybe that's just me ) until we'd agreed terms and conditions, at least in principle. There's no earthly point in you proving how good you are if they're only ever going to be willing to pay half your rate, or if you expect to be paid within 30 days and they never pay before 60. As for time-critical tests, I'd want justification for that. I always guarantee not to miss a deadline -- at least, not silently -- but how I organise my time is my own affair. I certainly wouldn't agree to it for a potential job, and if they expect me to down tools and give the test top priority, they can pay my rush rate. Do make sure you do all the necessary risk management checks before you agree to do a test or fill in an application form. Too many agencies nowadays will ask you to just fill in a form at first, then will come the request to print, sign and scan long contracts, then they'll want a free test. By that time, they're hoping you already feel "invested" in them. When the first job arrives at a poor rate, you might well think that it's "better than nothing" after all that onboarding. Resist that feeling ! | | | Séverine Watson France Local time: 10:16 French to English + ... TOPIC STARTER After all, nothing is free in life... | Jan 30, 2020 |
Many thanks to you all! Your comments have ultimately bolstered what's been niggling at the back of my mind... I have replied back to the potential customer to indicate that four hours is excessive to determine my linguistic capabilities and stated that I will handle a maximum of 300 words. Whilst there is certainly a part of me that thinks something is better than nothing for my own sanity, I feel that a bit more hard graft on my end and seeking out my own customers m... See more Many thanks to you all! Your comments have ultimately bolstered what's been niggling at the back of my mind... I have replied back to the potential customer to indicate that four hours is excessive to determine my linguistic capabilities and stated that I will handle a maximum of 300 words. Whilst there is certainly a part of me that thinks something is better than nothing for my own sanity, I feel that a bit more hard graft on my end and seeking out my own customers may be a better bet rather than grovelling for scraps! ▲ Collapse | | | DZiW (X) Ukraine English to Russian + ... Checking out: It really makes no sense, does it? | Jan 30, 2020 |
Séverine, the very first question: WHY an experienced translator should prove the competence? followed by: HOW the agency can prove their solvency and competence too? Ok, you wrote I'm being asked to [do a four-hour free test] andAfter all, nothing is free in life Still both seem alright?) If a prospect tries to trick you right away, I'd rather find another prospect or go for a paid test. However, if you really have got spare time and willing to practice, then it's up to you. By the way, while volunteering might count, how do you diversify your income--rewriting, copywriting, transcreation, mentoring, consulting, interpreting, or something more real-life? | |
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just do as you feel | Jan 30, 2020 |
Séverine Watson wrote: I have replied back to the potential customer to indicate that four hours is excessive to determine my linguistic capabilities and stated that I will handle a maximum of 300 words. Next time, you maybe could argue that you are a busy translator and you have only few time to spend for such chronophage free jobs. Never forget, time is money. A free trial never should exceed 15 minutes. | | |
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[Edited at 2020-01-31 15:08 GMT] | | | Samuel Murray Netherlands Local time: 10:16 Member (2006) English to Afrikaans + ...
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[Edited at 2020-01-31 16:41 GMT] | | |
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[Edited at 2020-01-31 15:09 GMT] | |
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DZiW (X) Ukraine English to Russian + ... Why care so much what other strangers think about you? | Jan 31, 2020 |
Not long ago I was surprised that even smart statisticians simply use 2080-formula for employees Hourly_rate = Annual_salary : (52 weeks × 5 working_days × 8 hours) to calculate freelancers’ income, recklessly disregarding low self-esteem, PEMT, “best rates”, “fuzzy/repetition discounts”, “freebies”, “undefined working hours”, no benefits and so on. That’s one of the reasons why most ‘averages’ polls and reports neglect the fact most freelancers are but just devaluing their own interests. Little wonder, many sincerely believe an average free*lancer really makes some $40 × 8 hours × 5 working_days × 52 weeks ≈ $81k a year gross. In other words, an ex-employee may have really hard timers learning the freelancing ins and outs. Businesswise, knowing the absolute bottom (minimum) is a must. As for me, it makes about an hour or $100 equivalent. Do the math) | | | Samuel Murray Netherlands Local time: 10:16 Member (2006) English to Afrikaans + ...
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[Edited at 2020-01-31 16:41 GMT] | | | Jan Truper Germany Local time: 10:16 Member (2016) English to German
Séverine Watson wrote: I've found a potential avenue, but I'm being asked to translate 60 subtitles in the space of four hours - what I failed to ask at the time was what that meant in volume. Do you think that this is excessive or is this standard practice? Many thanks for your help. Séverine Since this appears to be about subtitling, the actual number of words is pretty much irrelevant. And a time limit on a test can be one of the tools to gauge the ability of a translator, especially in subtitling ("Can the translator work autonomously without outsourcing the job or consulting outside help? Will the translator be able to help us hit our regular production targets? Will the translator be able to help us with SNAFU jobs in cases of planning/technical/production blunders when we need to deliver subtitles yesterday?"). It all depends on whom your dealing with. When you have ensured that it's a decent, reputable client offering good rates, fair payment practices and a steady supply of work, then a test of "60 subtitles in the space of four hours" is fine. In a normal work situation, you should be able to translate 60 subtitles in about an hour. When it's a dubious agency that is "building up a team for potential work", then you might consider walking away. | | | 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 » Free translation tests CafeTran Espresso | You've never met a CAT tool this clever!
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