Whether you are a beginner in the field of language translation or a veteran, you must have surely been asked for test translations. The issue of test transaltion is viewed a little differently by beginner s and veterans. Where beginners are eager to please so that they can build a good client base, veterans might not want to let go off prospective clients who demand free test translations before they award a paid assignment.
The American Translators Association’s Code of Professional Conduct and Business Practices states that buyers of language translations should not ask for free work, but at the same time it does not say that language translation professionals cannot provide them on their own.
Quite obviously this is a classic Catch-22 situation with no full-proof situation. The best responses, depending upon specific individual situations would be either you refuse to do test translations completely, or maybe make your mind about it after understanding the prospects of the actual assignment . I think it is allright to provide a free test translation if a lucrative project is at stake.
If you are a beginner or doing test translations fairly regularly, then I would recommend the following strategies –
- Limit your translations to a fixed number of words.
- Provide test transations, but include it later in your charges for the actual assignment.
Similar Posts:
- Overloaded with Language Translation Jobs? Some Remedies
- The dilemma of translation rates
- High quality translation from low quality original document
- Translation beginners – Tips for an effective start
- Deciphering gender in Albanian language
