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Change in payments for MT work: repeats are now free
Thread poster: Robert Haslach
Steven Capsuto
Steven Capsuto  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 16:19
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Everybody wants something for nothing Apr 1, 2011

But just because they ask for something doesn't mean they can have it.

One agency I work for once asked me to exclude all proper nouns from my word counts, since "They don't need to be translated." First of all, many of them do need to be translated, but never mind that. I told the owner that I would be happy to omit all proper nouns from the translations, and her clerical staff could put them in easily. She backed down and paid me for the proper nouns.


 
Norbert Hermann
Norbert Hermann  Identity Verified
Local time: 20:19
English to German
+ ...
I am sure their policy for proofreading will also change quite soon Apr 1, 2011

rhaslach wrote:
Please note that proofreading will continue to be paid as normal, based on the full word count.


Their motto is something like "High quality service delivered on time
...with a smile!"

I would say more than just a smile: They are having a laugh at us all!


 
Andrej
Andrej  Identity Verified
Local time: 23:19
Member (2005)
German to Russian
+ ...
One answer for all impudent offers of this kind Apr 1, 2011

As far as I have understood from the information you provided you do not pay for 100% matches and repetitions. Therefore please send me an official letter stating that you agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. I will not be held responsible for the correctness of 100% matches and repetitions.

2. I am entitled to consider the terminology, style, etc. of 100% matches and repetitions as absolutely correct and use them in my translation without any restrictions.... See more
As far as I have understood from the information you provided you do not pay for 100% matches and repetitions. Therefore please send me an official letter stating that you agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. I will not be held responsible for the correctness of 100% matches and repetitions.

2. I am entitled to consider the terminology, style, etc. of 100% matches and repetitions as absolutely correct and use them in my translation without any restrictions.

3. I do not have the obligation to inform you of any mistakes, inconsistencies, deviations, etc. that I might find in 100% matches and repetitions in the process of translation.

4. I do not have the obligation to correct the mistakes, inconsistencies, deviations, etc. found in 100% matches and repetitions.

Also I kindly ask you to confirm in this letter that regardless of the editing or checking results I will not be fined and/or required to improve or correct my translation if such mistakes and/or inconsistencies are found within 100% matches and repetitions and/or resulted from the terminology, style, etc. used in 100% matches and repetitions and, therefore, used by me throughout the document.
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Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 21:19
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
@Andrej Apr 1, 2011

Andrej wrote:
Also I kindly ask you to confirm in this letter that regardless of the editing or checking results I will not be fined and/or required to improve or correct my translation if such mistakes and/or inconsistencies are found within 100% matches and repetitions and/or resulted from the terminology, style, etc. used in 100% matches and repetitions and, therefore, used by me throughout the document.


Yes, that would be the ideal, but when push comes to shove, and they want to deduct more money for such errors, then they probably will, regardless of what a PM may have confirmed with you (such as the above).


 
Andrej
Andrej  Identity Verified
Local time: 23:19
Member (2005)
German to Russian
+ ...
... Apr 1, 2011

I say about an official confirmation. If you have that one, you are more or less safe.

 
Massimo Rippa
Massimo Rippa  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 21:19
English to Italian
+ ...
For the sake of truth... Apr 1, 2011

I work occasionally with this agency and, for the sake of truth, I have to say that in every PO I received from them since 2008, was clearly stated in uppercase and red characters:

PLEASE IGNORE THE 100% MATCHES.

so their "new" policy makes some sense. Also, the TS spoke of MT work. I have to say that I never received from them any request of post MT editing, all the pretranslated files were generated from human translation. Also, in the same message the TS is referrein
... See more
I work occasionally with this agency and, for the sake of truth, I have to say that in every PO I received from them since 2008, was clearly stated in uppercase and red characters:

PLEASE IGNORE THE 100% MATCHES.

so their "new" policy makes some sense. Also, the TS spoke of MT work. I have to say that I never received from them any request of post MT editing, all the pretranslated files were generated from human translation. Also, in the same message the TS is referreing, they stated:
"Please note that proofreading will continue to be paid as normal, based on the full word count."

So I don't see any scandal there.
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Maybe translators should boycott this type of agency Apr 1, 2011

FYI

This agency is being boycotted by legal interpreters in the UK, i.e. legal interpreters in the UK are refusing to work for this agency.

Due to ProZ.com rules I cannot give any details here but if you look up on Google (just type "UK interpreters boycotting agency") you can find out more about it.
It’s also been on the press here in the UK, you can read about it in The Law Gazette, Manchester Evening News and the Private Eye (February and March 2011).
... See more
FYI

This agency is being boycotted by legal interpreters in the UK, i.e. legal interpreters in the UK are refusing to work for this agency.

Due to ProZ.com rules I cannot give any details here but if you look up on Google (just type "UK interpreters boycotting agency") you can find out more about it.
It’s also been on the press here in the UK, you can read about it in The Law Gazette, Manchester Evening News and the Private Eye (February and March 2011).

Maybe translators should do the same.
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Jaroslaw Michalak
Jaroslaw Michalak  Identity Verified
Poland
Local time: 21:19
Member (2004)
English to Polish
SITE LOCALIZER
Policies and announcements Apr 1, 2011

For the record, I do not mind the policy of not paying for 100% matches if I don't have to look at them. I have several clients who require this and it is well understood that in that case the main person responsible for the text is the proofreader (and they do have more active role than usual, anyway, up to substantial rewriting the text, as the texts relate to marketing activities).

What irks me immensely, though, is the manner in which such policy changes are announced - as far a
... See more
For the record, I do not mind the policy of not paying for 100% matches if I don't have to look at them. I have several clients who require this and it is well understood that in that case the main person responsible for the text is the proofreader (and they do have more active role than usual, anyway, up to substantial rewriting the text, as the texts relate to marketing activities).

What irks me immensely, though, is the manner in which such policy changes are announced - as far as I remember, we have agreed mutually on certain terms, so declaring unilaterally any changes in those terms is a) non-binding by any means, b) ineffective (unless I accept those changes) c) just plain rude.

So, dear outsources, if you really feel the terms of our cooperation require revision, due to world crisis, water shortage or bird flu pandemy, please forward your proposal and I will think about it. And if it involves increase of my rates, I can even accept it!
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Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL
Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:19
Member (2004)
English to Italian
Fine... Apr 1, 2011

Massimo Rippa wrote:

I work occasionally with this agency and, for the sake of truth, I have to say that in every PO I received from them since 2008, was clearly stated in uppercase and red characters:

PLEASE IGNORE THE 100% MATCHES.

so their "new" policy makes some sense. Also, the TS spoke of MT work. I have to say that I never received from them any request of post MT editing, all the pretranslated files were generated from human translation. Also, in the same message the TS is referreing, they stated:
"Please note that proofreading will continue to be paid as normal, based on the full word count."

So I don't see any scandal there.


if we are allowed to ignore them, then fine, but you will be still spending quite a lot of time inserting them in case of a very long text. So, it's still free labour.

BTW, I never worked for them, because of their very low rates and cattle market approach.

G

edited because 100% match was incorrect...

[Edited at 2011-04-01 11:45 GMT]

EDIT again: I do realise that you can use pre-translate, so, even that problem would disappear... sorry I didn't think about that in the first place...

[Edited at 2011-04-01 11:53 GMT]


 
Monika Rozwarzewska
Monika Rozwarzewska  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:19
Member (2006)
English to Polish
+ ...
exactly Apr 1, 2011

Jabberwock wrote:

So, dear outsources, if you really feel the terms of our cooperation require revision, due to world crisis, water shortage or bird flu pandemy, please forward your proposal and I will think about it. And if it involves increase of my rates, I can even accept it!


I was also honoured and received this email. Left me speechless. Like Nikita Kobrin said, I, too, see no connection between high quality and zero payment.


 
Charlie Bavington
Charlie Bavington  Identity Verified
Local time: 20:19
French to English
the more I think about it... Apr 1, 2011

Andrej wrote:

Also I kindly ask you to confirm in this letter that regardless of the editing or checking results I will not be fined and/or required to improve or correct my translation if such mistakes and/or inconsistencies are found within 100% matches and repetitions and/or resulted from the terminology, style, etc. used in 100% matches and repetitions and, therefore, used by me throughout the document.

... the more that strikes me as a very valid point.
You could end up having to work a fair bit on these sections after the first delivery if anyone queries or comments - I'm sure we've all been asked to take a second look at something. You could end up doing more work on the free stuff than the stuff you were paid for...!


 
Rad Graban (X)
Rad Graban (X)  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:19
English to Slovak
+ ...
Good luck Massimo Apr 1, 2011

Now you're gonna be busier than ever.

Massimo Rippa wrote:

I work occasionally with this agency and, for the sake of truth, I have to say that in every PO I received from them since 2008, was clearly stated in uppercase and red characters:

PLEASE IGNORE THE 100% MATCHES.

so their "new" policy makes some sense. Also, the TS spoke of MT work. I have to say that I never received from them any request of post MT editing, all the pretranslated files were generated from human translation. Also, in the same message the TS is referreing, they stated:
"Please note that proofreading will continue to be paid as normal, based on the full word count."

So I don't see any scandal there.


 
Charlie Bavington
Charlie Bavington  Identity Verified
Local time: 20:19
French to English
Friday night fun Apr 1, 2011

What japes.

Anyway, we're not allowed to indulge in legal speculation on here, probably quite rightly. I will just say one thing, to pique the interest of anyone still here. If you agree to this, you are agreeing not to be paid for some "work". No pay, no consideration = no contract under English law, (where these people are based). Or does it? I don't know. But we can toss ideas arou
... See more
What japes.

Anyway, we're not allowed to indulge in legal speculation on here, probably quite rightly. I will just say one thing, to pique the interest of anyone still here. If you agree to this, you are agreeing not to be paid for some "work". No pay, no consideration = no contract under English law, (where these people are based). Or does it? I don't know. But we can toss ideas around here http://cbavington.com/blog/2011/04/01/no-money-for-old-rope/ if you like.....
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Massimo Rippa
Massimo Rippa  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 21:19
English to Italian
+ ...
Uh? Apr 1, 2011

Rad Graban wrote:

Now you're gonna be busier than ever.





Not really. The real problems with them are related to their very tight deadlines. It would be unlikely that I would accept more work from them.
My comment was just for the sake of the truth.


 
LEXpert
LEXpert  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 15:19
Member (2008)
Croatian to English
+ ...
Reps for proofreading Apr 2, 2011

Hermann wrote:

rhaslach wrote:
Please note that proofreading will continue to be paid as normal, based on the full word count.


Their motto is something like "High quality service delivered on time
...with a smile!"

I would say more than just a smile: They are having a laugh at us all!

'

I would have thought the idea ridiculous, had I not received an e-mail a few months ago from a theretofore-unknown-to-me PM at an (otherwise quite respectable) agency, inquiring about a proofreading task and asking for my regular proofreading rate per word as well as my "proofreading rate for reps". The very idea seemed quite ridiculous to me at the time, though we never got around to discussing it further as I turned down the job because it was in a reverse combination. I'd like to think it was just a clueless new PM, rather than the start of a trend. One can always hope...


 
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Change in payments for MT work: repeats are now free







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