Evening update...
Feb. 16th, 2005 08:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alexpgpI beat the schedule for the ICD files by more than 2 days, which really only reinforces whatever reputation I may have with the client as a high producer. (It's not going to get me paid any faster, alas.) Technically, the plate is now empty.
One of the ProZ jobs I responded to this morning had already been assigned by the time I sent off my email, which is probably all to the good, as the agency in question has a maddening track record of paying either spot-on when they're supposed to, or delaying payment as long as possible. The other job got me a polite e-mail in reply, to the effect that the job will only be awarded in May, but that my resume would be kept on file.
Which reminds me of a phenomenon I first encountered... well, I better not mention names. The bottom line was this: the agency in question solicited sample translations and resumes from people like me and then, after they were awarded the contract, well... neither I nor any of the other people I knew who did samples and submitted resumes for this outfit were ever assigned any of the work. Undoubtedly, the work was done to a much lower standard of quality at a much lower price.
(And by the way, while the response reminded me of that episode, there is no connection between that episode and the company I responded to this morning. I'm quite sure the company to which I sent my resume is on the up and up.)
Talking about the correlation between price and quality in translation, I am quite aware that just because someone does not get paid top dollar doesn't mean they do poor work. Then again, I am reminded of a quote from Damon Runyon: ""It may be that the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong - but that's the way to bet!"
Personally, I've only met one translator who had systematically undercharged for high-quality translations; he had been working for peanuts for one client for years, albeit with plenty of work always waiting in the wings. Once the blinders were taken from his eyes, though, it was amazing to see how rapidly his rates rose to match those of the market.
The day started with a profligate use of tissues and I seem to have stabilized into an uneasy state between health and sickness. I plan to get a good night's sleep.
Cheers...
One of the ProZ jobs I responded to this morning had already been assigned by the time I sent off my email, which is probably all to the good, as the agency in question has a maddening track record of paying either spot-on when they're supposed to, or delaying payment as long as possible. The other job got me a polite e-mail in reply, to the effect that the job will only be awarded in May, but that my resume would be kept on file.
Which reminds me of a phenomenon I first encountered... well, I better not mention names. The bottom line was this: the agency in question solicited sample translations and resumes from people like me and then, after they were awarded the contract, well... neither I nor any of the other people I knew who did samples and submitted resumes for this outfit were ever assigned any of the work. Undoubtedly, the work was done to a much lower standard of quality at a much lower price.
(And by the way, while the response reminded me of that episode, there is no connection between that episode and the company I responded to this morning. I'm quite sure the company to which I sent my resume is on the up and up.)
Talking about the correlation between price and quality in translation, I am quite aware that just because someone does not get paid top dollar doesn't mean they do poor work. Then again, I am reminded of a quote from Damon Runyon: ""It may be that the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong - but that's the way to bet!"
Personally, I've only met one translator who had systematically undercharged for high-quality translations; he had been working for peanuts for one client for years, albeit with plenty of work always waiting in the wings. Once the blinders were taken from his eyes, though, it was amazing to see how rapidly his rates rose to match those of the market.
The day started with a profligate use of tissues and I seem to have stabilized into an uneasy state between health and sickness. I plan to get a good night's sleep.
Cheers...
