| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Translation tests Thread poster: Lisa McCarthy
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Lisa McCarthy 
Spain
Local time: 21:02
Spanish to English
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TOPIC STARTER | Useful comments | Apr 15, 2010 |
Thank you all for your interesting and useful comments. It's good to hear other people's views on the matter.
I suppose that I didn´t want to the test as I felt I was only being used for a one-off urgent job and it really wasn´t worth my while to do it. I also felt that the agency hadn´t really looked at my profile properly, if they had they wouldn´t have asked me for samples of my work as they are readily available.
I've done tests in the past for free which have ... See more Thank you all for your interesting and useful comments. It's good to hear other people's views on the matter.
I suppose that I didn´t want to the test as I felt I was only being used for a one-off urgent job and it really wasn´t worth my while to do it. I also felt that the agency hadn´t really looked at my profile properly, if they had they wouldn´t have asked me for samples of my work as they are readily available.
I've done tests in the past for free which have led to jobs and others which haven´t. I think I've only been paid for one of them. I don´t mind doing them if I have the time and I think it's a genuine test and not a freebie for them. I also feel that we should be given a couple of days to do them at least. I suppose 250 words is pretty reasonable, although it's really not that much proof of the quality of a translator's work if you have a very large document or book to translate.
[Edited at 2010-04-15 17:23 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-04-15 17:23 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-04-15 17:23 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Carol Gullidge wrote:
Bearing in mind the "novel" experience above, I wonder if anyone else has recently been asked to do a large sample translation "for free".
[Edited at 2010-04-15 11:03 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-04-15 11:04 GMT]
Actually, just today I finished a large test translation, but it was done for a well-known, global non-profit organization that posted the job in the ATA website, and I responded to the posting. Part of the requirements to be considered is to do the translation test. Given the reputation of the organization in question, and the medium through which I got the job lead, plus the tremendous boost that having this client would mean to my marketability, I thought it was worth the effort.
Not something I would do for any old agency, though.
Cheers!
Mariela
| | | | Lonnie Legg
Germany
Local time: 21:02
German to English
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| test solicatations legit--supposed ProZ Connect text file safe? | Apr 17, 2010 |
I too was solicited (via ProZ Connect) at the same time as LisaMac, by a Chinese company--twice, by two different people, but both requesting, with the same wording, test translations (126 & 496 words respectively).
I generally know my clients and have never been cold-contacted via the Web, so I was leery to even download the test files. The link indicates they're located at ProZ Connect--but I'm told one can't rely on links in emails acually leading to the address displayed.
... See more I too was solicited (via ProZ Connect) at the same time as LisaMac, by a Chinese company--twice, by two different people, but both requesting, with the same wording, test translations (126 & 496 words respectively).
I generally know my clients and have never been cold-contacted via the Web, so I was leery to even download the test files. The link indicates they're located at ProZ Connect--but I'm told one can't rely on links in emails acually leading to the address displayed.
(I also wonder about the dealings of a company when two employees send out the same cookie-cutter solicitation, apparently w/o coordinating their recruiting efforts for purported "big projects"...)
[Edited at 2010-04-19 13:04 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:02
Member (2006)
French to English
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| non-profit organizations | Apr 17, 2010 |
Mariela Diaz-Butler wrote:
Actually, just today I finished a large test translation, but it was done for a well-known, global non-profit organization that posted the job in the ATA website, and I responded to the posting. Part of the requirements to be considered is to do the translation test. Given the reputation of the organization in question, and the medium through which I got the job lead, plus the tremendous boost that having this client would mean to my marketability, I thought it was worth the effort.
Not something I would do for any old agency, though.
Hi Mariela,
I too occasionally translate (unpaid!) for non-profit organizations, giving my time when I can, as well as undertaking paid work for other global organizations. But of course there's a big difference between choosing to give one's time like this and being asked by a commercial concern for half a day's work.
However, the agency concerned has agreed to accept partial sample translations, although I don't know how well this will go down with the end client, who apparently originally wanted twice the amount!
As you say, this isn't something one would normally consider doing.
Good luck with your application!
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| Acceptable within Reason | Apr 23, 2010 |
I think it is a very wise business practice for agencies to require a test translation from potential employees or freelancers. The ProZ profile translation samples are useful, but there is an opportunity to cheat there.
I do not mind providing someone with a test translation, but I have the following rules:
1. Never more than 200 words, preferably fewer.
2. Never a full logical unit, but an excerpt/paragraph from a larger text.
3. No very short deadline!... See more I think it is a very wise business practice for agencies to require a test translation from potential employees or freelancers. The ProZ profile translation samples are useful, but there is an opportunity to cheat there.
I do not mind providing someone with a test translation, but I have the following rules:
1. Never more than 200 words, preferably fewer.
2. Never a full logical unit, but an excerpt/paragraph from a larger text.
3. No very short deadline!
4. Very cautious about offshore companies, particularly Indian or Chinese agencies who regularly approach me by offering substandard rates (less than 0.05 euros) and working conditions.
Tamas
Lingua Franca
www.linguafranca.eu
[Edited at 2010-04-23 12:01 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-04-23 12:01 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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