Categories: translation
Date: 07 March 2008 18:25:48
This is the true life story of a translation project.
Thursday 6 March 09:56: email from project manager at a translation agency to undisclosed number of translators to inform us that they are about to take on a massive project. Please mail back with expected available capacity for delivery by Monday 10th close of play.
Thursday 6 March 11:01: email from project manager to say that the project is 500,000 words. Please mail back with expected available capacity for delivery by Wednesday 12th close of play.
Explanation here by Kerensa to enlighten gentle readers: 500,000 words is a phenomenal amount of text. It would take 50 translators working steadily at 10,000 words a week (that is 5 working days*) to clear this lot. This always assumes that the text is within the translators' ability. As the subject area was chemical patents I was less than enthusiastic about taking it on (to put it mildly). I have no idea how many German-English translators there are in the UK, but I would be surprised if there were 50 who could tackle this subject area at relatively short notice (a more or less immediate start was assumed).
Thursday 6 March 12:39: end client has realised that 500,000 words is a tall order and has generously extended the deadline to Friday 14th, close of play. So now how much can we take on? [Given that at this stage, the whole morning has passed and there has been no sign of a definite go-ahead, I would suggest the foolhardy would consider another 2,000 and the sensible would remain non-committal. If you say you can do x thousand, they still expect you to do the stated amount even if the deadline is later curtailed] My reply remains somewhat vague.
Thursday 6 March 16:24: email from project manager to say that the project is on hold. [What are the translators supposed to do now? Abandon all hope of the project and see if they can find someone to offer them another job, any little job, or turn down other [little] offers while patiently waiting in the expectation that this [big] assigment will come off and they will be able to pay the electricity bill after all?]
Friday 7 March 11:02: email from project manager to say that the project has been cancelled and that "unfortunately this happens in the translation world, as you know, and we just have to accept this."
We put up with it because we have little other choice but I'm beginning to wonder if I shouldn't market myself as a (well-paid) consultant to companies to explain how to commission translations.
*I know YOU know that a working week is 5 days but it seems to be a little understood concept in the translation world.