Poll: As a freelancer, do you employ a proofreader? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "As a freelancer, do you employ a proofreader?".
This poll was originally submitted by st-jerome. View the poll results »
| | | | | funny question | Mar 23, 2010 |
IMHO freelance translators do not belong to those who can afford to employ helping personnel. It's like asking me do I have a personal driver, servants, etc.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 15:47
Spanish to English
+ ...
I agree with Alexander - by definition a freelancer is a one-off.
I proof my own work, unless it's translated into one of my non-native languages, when a colleague native in said L2 does so. This is not me "employing" them, rather we are "collaborating" in a sort of loose collective or informal team.
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and offer always a two-tier solution.... A client gets ready-to-send product and it works. You offer one-stop-shop. According to me, a freelance does not mean offering a single solution.
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| I know the agencies I work for proofread my work | Mar 23, 2010 |
I cannot afford to pay another proofreader within my rates. I proofread carefully, at several passes depending on the size and type of the job. As many of the jobs I do are small, the chances are that I find the errors before I lose concentration!
If there is time to leave the proofreading overnight, I often make improvements to the phrasing, but small jobs often mean tight deadlines. Most of my clients can read English, but they come back for more, and any feedback I get is general... See more I cannot afford to pay another proofreader within my rates. I proofread carefully, at several passes depending on the size and type of the job. As many of the jobs I do are small, the chances are that I find the errors before I lose concentration!
If there is time to leave the proofreading overnight, I often make improvements to the phrasing, but small jobs often mean tight deadlines. Most of my clients can read English, but they come back for more, and any feedback I get is generally positive.
The agencies I work for do not proofread all my work. Some of it, and all medical work, is proofread. I proofread other people's work, and this alerts me to errors I should check for and avoid!
To the best of my ability, I always deliver the text ready for the end client, correct and with all issues solved.
[Edited at 2010-03-24 07:25 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Nikki Graham 
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:47
Spanish to English
| Yes, sometimes | Mar 23, 2010 |
I point out to direct clients that the price does not include any revision by a different translator, but that I can provide this for them, obviously at a higher price.
I do not pay anybody to revise my work before I send it to an agency. As far as I am aware, this is done inhouse by all the agencies I work for.
Of course, I am assuming here that the question actually means revision, according to EN-15038, given that proofreading (checking of proofs before publication) ... See more I point out to direct clients that the price does not include any revision by a different translator, but that I can provide this for them, obviously at a higher price.
I do not pay anybody to revise my work before I send it to an agency. As far as I am aware, this is done inhouse by all the agencies I work for.
Of course, I am assuming here that the question actually means revision, according to EN-15038, given that proofreading (checking of proofs before publication) is not the same as having another translator revise your work (i.e. comparing original and translated document), or review (just a check of the translation to ensure it suits purpose).
http://qualitystandard.bs.en-15038.com/
This is a link to a draft of the standard (which you can purchase), but it gives an idea of what it's all about:
http://www.babelia.pt/media/norma_en_15038.pdf ▲ Collapse
| | | | Heinrich Pesch
Finland
Local time: 16:47
Member (2003)
Finnish to German
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| Yes, it saves time and is more reliable | Mar 23, 2010 |
Only if I know the customer is able to revise the text himself do I stop at my own proofreading. The other guy notices also those blunders I wouldn't.
Regards
Heinrich
| | | | Jeff Whittaker
United States
Local time: 09:47
Member (2002)
Spanish to English
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| Translation can be a career... | Mar 23, 2010 |
Perhaps you should consider raising your rates. I have a housekeeper (once a week), landscaper/gardener, dog walker, pool cleaner and a company that washes my car. Some translators also have an accountant and a nanny/daycare for their kids.
Alexander Kondorsky wrote:
IMHO freelance translators do not belong to those who can afford to employ helping personnel. It's like asking me do I have a personal driver, servants, etc.
[Edited at 2010-03-23 13:23 GMT]
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My price includes proofreading and revision by another translator, with one only exception: a translation agency!
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You must charge some pretty hefty rates !!
I can stretch to an accountant to do the income tax returns, but that's all.
Of course I don't have a garden, dog or pool, so that saves me the related expense.
Anyway, what's the use of keeping a dog if you don't use it as an excuse for getting some exercise?
I don't normally employ a proofreader either, but recently I shared a big job with a colleague, he checked mine and I checked his.
Jeff Whittaker wrote:
Perhaps you should consider raising your rates. I have a housekeeper (once a week), landscaper/gardener, dog walker, pool cleaner and a company that washes my car. Some translators also have an accountant and a nanny/daycare for their kids.
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| | | | Rolf Kern
Switzerland
Local time: 15:47
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam
I "employ" my wife as a proofreader at a nominal rate of USD 15.00 per hour (the cleanup woman costs USD 25.00 per hour), where I am far behind in payment....
| | | | | My mom proofreads for me for free | Mar 23, 2010 |
And when she finds my typos and points them out to me, it makes her day!
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David Russi
United States
Local time: 07:47
English to Spanish
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| I work with an editor | Mar 23, 2010 |
I work with an editor, and we check each other's work. When i quote on a project, I always give the translation+edit rate, and if they do not wish to have my work edited, I make sure they understand why I highly recommend it, and that I cannot be responsible for possible minor errors and omissions. We charge for it, of course, so nobody is "employed" by anyone, and there is no "affordability" issue involved.
| | | | Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 15:47
Member (2006)
German to English
| only when it is paid for | Mar 23, 2010 |
Some agencies I work for do actually pay a higher rate to me for having my work proofread by a third translator. Find it interesting and feedback is always a good thing.
| | | | Rebecca Garber
Local time: 09:47
Member (2005)
German to English
+ ...
| I work for agencies | Mar 24, 2010 |
Agencies provide proofreaders.
I have received proofreading jobs from the same agencies, so I don't see a need to hire my own proofreader.
However, I am about to start on a much larger project, and a proofreader might be a good idea.
Anyone have expertise in history, specifically Rome, with an ability to read Latin, and an interest in law?
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