Wordcount: German source files Thread poster: Svetlana Branhouse
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Hi everybody!
I am looking for advice in relation to a correct (commonly accepted) way to carry out wordcount for the German source files. What programs do you normally use to count words in the German text? Do they take articles and other "small"words into account?
(My source file is in Word, working in Wordfast)
Thank you in advance
| | | | Nicole Schnell 
United States
Local time: 10:36
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam | Those "small" words | Nov 6, 2010 |
You mean, those small two or three letter words that are "only" articles that determine the gender of any noun and the rest of the sentence, or even less important, are the subject of an entire sentence? Cough, cough.
Wayyy too unimportant.
[Sarcasm mode off]. Sorry, I had to hold my breath for a second.
Well, if the source text is a Word file, then let Word do the word count. And count each and everything, including abbreviations, acronyms, number... See more You mean, those small two or three letter words that are "only" articles that determine the gender of any noun and the rest of the sentence, or even less important, are the subject of an entire sentence? Cough, cough.
Wayyy too unimportant.
[Sarcasm mode off]. Sorry, I had to hold my breath for a second.
Well, if the source text is a Word file, then let Word do the word count. And count each and everything, including abbreviations, acronyms, numbers and figures. Best to have that done by a person who actually speaks German and who doesn't consider "small words" superfluous.
 ▲ Collapse
| | | | | German word counts | Nov 6, 2010 |
Hello Svetlana,
I would also guess that German word counts don't fluctuate as much as some other languages between different counting programs, because dashes and apostrophes play a limited role. However, if a text has a lot of numbers, it is important to use the right program - compare a few examples from your own work.
The fact that German words are very long is a problem: it looks like you are charging more money than you actually are (0,15 EUR/English word is a lot more mo... See more Hello Svetlana,
I would also guess that German word counts don't fluctuate as much as some other languages between different counting programs, because dashes and apostrophes play a limited role. However, if a text has a lot of numbers, it is important to use the right program - compare a few examples from your own work.
The fact that German words are very long is a problem: it looks like you are charging more money than you actually are (0,15 EUR/English word is a lot more money than 0,15/German word). Words are an incredibly arbitrary unit for German, because of the tendency to build compound words (Kunstgewerbemuseum vs. Museum für angewandte Kunst, for example).
Most German direct clients are used to paying per Normzeile (55 characters with spaces in (!) target text) - just a thought. Agencies seem to tend to word counts, but I don't know for sure.
Sincerely,
Michael ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Normzeile is the best option | Nov 7, 2010 |
Of course it goes without saying that the source file should be 100% soft copy and is susceptible to be vetted by softwares such as PractiCount & Invoice for the source file word count to be taken into consideration.
Otherwise go for the target file word counting as it is generated by you and will be 100% soft copy.
As for small propositions, numbers, acronyms etc, please keep in mind that the concept of word count is just a way of finding out the size of the file one i... See more Of course it goes without saying that the source file should be 100% soft copy and is susceptible to be vetted by softwares such as PractiCount & Invoice for the source file word count to be taken into consideration.
Otherwise go for the target file word counting as it is generated by you and will be 100% soft copy.
As for small propositions, numbers, acronyms etc, please keep in mind that the concept of word count is just a way of finding out the size of the file one is about to handle. Even in the case of numbers, only the translator will be in a position to put them in proper place in the target text and his knowledge of language comes to the fore and has to be paid.
Do not let the client browbeat you in this connection. Be firm.
Regards,
N. Raghavan ▲ Collapse
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