Why working with TM can suck...
Mar. 7th, 2007 10:26 amThe current job includes a number of sentences that have been mindlessly inserted by software at the client's office, the idea being that if a source sentence is sufficiently similar to something already in the database (75% in the case below) it makes sense to stick the corresponding translation from that database in the source file and have the translator "edit" the result.
The idea is not so much to make the translator's life easier or to expedite the turnaround of the job, but to reduce the payment made to the translator, since the rate of payment for "editing" is, with this client, 25% of the rate paid for translation.
Take the following example, consisting of the original text, followed by the "suggested" translation, followed by my, um, "edit":
If I had been engaged to translate the sentence, I would have earned 38 units for 38 words translated. However, as there were 34 words in the original "suggested" translation, and since what I am asked to do is simply "edit" the suggested text, what I actually end up with is 12.5 units... for 38 words translated.
It's not all as bad as this example, but the fact is that, in the long run, doing a conscientious job costs me money.
Enough whining. I'm about 1/3 of the way through today's quota. Back to the face of the salt mine.
Cheers...
The idea is not so much to make the translator's life easier or to expedite the turnaround of the job, but to reduce the payment made to the translator, since the rate of payment for "editing" is, with this client, 25% of the rate paid for translation.
Take the following example, consisting of the original text, followed by the "suggested" translation, followed by my, um, "edit":
Договор будет толковаться и исполняться, а споры, вытекающие из Договора или связанные с ним, будут разрешаться в соответствии с материальным правом Российской Федерации, исключая коллизионные нормы.Just a light edit, dontchaknow.
Limitation of liability of the Parties”), the Agreement shall be interpreted and carried out in accordance with the Governing Law (the substantive law of Russia, excluding provisions pointing to the laws of another jurisdiction).
The Contract shall be interpreted and performed, and disputes arising from the Contract or related to it shall be resolved, in accordance with the substantive law of the Russian Federation, except for rules governing the choice of laws.
If I had been engaged to translate the sentence, I would have earned 38 units for 38 words translated. However, as there were 34 words in the original "suggested" translation, and since what I am asked to do is simply "edit" the suggested text, what I actually end up with is 12.5 units... for 38 words translated.
It's not all as bad as this example, but the fact is that, in the long run, doing a conscientious job costs me money.
Enough whining. I'm about 1/3 of the way through today's quota. Back to the face of the salt mine.
Cheers...