| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Poll: If no instructions are given, how closely do you match the format of a scanned PDF? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
| Do what is necessary according to your judgment | Jul 26, 2016 |
I have never been given instructions and actually didn't know such a thing is done. Probably 90% of the work I do is in PDF or paper or plastic form. Instructions or feedback I receive has to do with things like the purpose of the translation. For example, if some official is going to examine a driving licence or transcript, then he wants to be able to scan back and forth to compare. So then you want the format to be close enough to the original to be able to do so. But if the person readin... See more I have never been given instructions and actually didn't know such a thing is done. Probably 90% of the work I do is in PDF or paper or plastic form. Instructions or feedback I receive has to do with things like the purpose of the translation. For example, if some official is going to examine a driving licence or transcript, then he wants to be able to scan back and forth to compare. So then you want the format to be close enough to the original to be able to do so. But if the person reading the document only wants information, know generally what it says, etc., then format doesn't matter at all. ▲ Collapse
| | | | telefpro
Local time: 05:19
Portuguese to English
+ ...
| as close to the format as possible | Jul 26, 2016 |
I always try to be as close to the format as possible. This helps the client to have an easy reference.
| | | | Jaime Oriard 
Mexico
Local time: 17:49
Member (2005)
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Ask the client if they want DTP (and I charge for it) | Jul 26, 2016 |
Otherwise, I deliver the translation with just basic character-level formatting (bold, italics, underline) and paragraph alignment.
| | | | Katrin Bosse (X)
Germany
Local time: 01:49
Dutch to German
+ ...
| Other - sometimes do (sort of), most often don't | Jul 26, 2016 |
Vesna Maširević wrote:
(currently 33%) "present a rough approximation using basic Word tools" or even "present the translation as straight text"?
It would never occur to me to assume that the client would expect nothing less than recreated file (keeping the original formatting and layout of the source file).
[Edited at 2016-07-26 13:01 GMT]
The thing is, there are cases where an approximation may in fact be more a hinderance than a help for the client. I translate cookbooks. For those I deliver a relatively plain text file, only emulating bold, italic and font size to help the layout people integrate the target text into the original layout. But more than that is no use for them at all - they will just delete all "hand formatted" WORD stuff because it's not helfpul to them.
Other clients do use my hand formatted target text and I know they will appreciate an approximation. But as I am not offering DTP, what I can do is limited.
On another note: there are few things more frustrating than WORD documents with convoluted formatting through haphazard PDF conversion. I hate those, they will wreak havoc on any TM when not cleaned for logical segmentation. When a client sends me a file in WORD that is clearly a PDF conversion, I always go back to the PDF and just copy&paste the source text into an empty WORD file to work from there. In the end, my service is to translate and that's what I am getting paid for.
| | |
|
|
|
| The missing choice in the survey ? | Jul 26, 2016 |
Ask the client for specific directions. D'oh.
| | | | Rebecca Garber
Local time: 19:49
Member (2005)
German to English
+ ...
| Why would this situation ever arise? | Jul 26, 2016 |
Determining what the client expects from a translation is part of the initial process in accepting a project. I always ask, and we often discuss what is possible (I do not offer DTP and have no interest in doing so), and settle on something we both agree on. This occassionally increases the price due to increased formatting, which I consider completely fair.
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 20:49
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| It depends (a lot) on the type of PDF | Jul 27, 2016 |
If the tools I have are able to convert it with the formats, I usually deliver the exact same formatting in the translation, matching even the pages, if possible. If the pdf is a poorly scanned image, and my tools do not convert it to a decent DOC, I'll deliver the text with a similar formatting.
In any case, I always include all images, charts, tables, etc. as close as possible to the original.
If you deliver plain text in these cases, you'll be in the client's or agency's se... See more If the tools I have are able to convert it with the formats, I usually deliver the exact same formatting in the translation, matching even the pages, if possible. If the pdf is a poorly scanned image, and my tools do not convert it to a decent DOC, I'll deliver the text with a similar formatting.
In any case, I always include all images, charts, tables, etc. as close as possible to the original.
If you deliver plain text in these cases, you'll be in the client's or agency's secondary list, after those who submit the formatting and the add-ons as close to the originals as possible. If you were the client and you submitted a pdf (Scanned image) to two translators, one of them returned a perfect match, and the other one returned plain text, for the same price, the next time you have a similar project and you need only one translator, which one would you send it to?
[Edited at 2016-07-27 00:32 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 01:49
Spanish to English
+ ...
| In plain text/Word | Jul 27, 2016 |
Considering my experience and the quality of work, my rates are average to lowish, according to what I hear from colleagues. However, these rates apply to documents in easily manageable text formats such as MS Word or compatible versions (Open Office, Libre...). In my terms and conditions, documents and other formats such as PDF, HTML, FreeHand, etc. are charged at higher rates based on their degree of complexity and the real time required for the translation, revision and delivery. This encoura... See more Considering my experience and the quality of work, my rates are average to lowish, according to what I hear from colleagues. However, these rates apply to documents in easily manageable text formats such as MS Word or compatible versions (Open Office, Libre...). In my terms and conditions, documents and other formats such as PDF, HTML, FreeHand, etc. are charged at higher rates based on their degree of complexity and the real time required for the translation, revision and delivery. This encourages most clients to deliver their texts in workable formats. Most of them will have staff able to easily format the text once it is translated anyway.
Last month, a long-standing client sent me a poorly scanned document covered in notary seals and other official stamps and I refused it outright, as I was far too busy at the time and they couldn't have paid me enough to make me slog through the darned thing. I gave them the details of the local translators' network, where I'm sure someone will have been glad of the job. I usually bend over backwards to satisfy my regular clients, but this was one time when the negative effect on my usual sunny disposition would not have been worth the bother. However, I do make exceptions if the PDF document is convertible - I currently have Nitro Pro which does a reasonably good job on most decent (i.e. unscanned, workable) PDFs.
Formatting? "Not my job, mate." ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
| Why do I go to the trouble? | Jul 27, 2016 |
Earlier this year I did a certificate for a new client that closely resembled the original. He liked my "professionalism" so much that he came back later with a 20,000-word job.
| | | | | I second Christine | Jul 27, 2016 |
Christine Andersen wrote: Vesna Maširević wrote:
(currently 33%) "present a rough approximation using basic Word tools" or even "present the translation as straight text"?
It would never occur to me to assume that the client would expect nothing less than recreated file (keeping the original formatting and layout of the source file).
[Edited at 2016-07-26 13:01 GMT] There are plenty of good reasons. I am a translator and simply don't do DTP. As I mentioned earlier, re-creating some of the graphical features, logos, stamps, signatures and so on might be regarded as falsification or infringing IP rights. I am not entitled to use them. The document I am providing for my client is a translation, for instance of a marriage certificate or exam. diploma. It is not a new, legally valid document. It is not valid at all without the original, and therefore it is not necessary to provide anything that resembles the original too closely or could even be mistaken for a copy of it. So no, I never assume that my clients expect a recreation of the original. As a Chartered Linguist I can add my stamp and signature to vouch that it is a faithful translation, but it will never be more than that.
Christine almost said it all. But I'll also add that from my experience a good share of the "dead" pdf's I get to translate have notes hand written on top - and in such cases a "recreated file" would be beyond ridiculous. Also, for legal documents, it is important to clarify that the translation is a translation to prevent misuse of the translated document as "fake original".
| | | | Vesna Maširević
Serbia
Local time: 01:49
Member (2011)
English to Serbian
+ ...
| "fake original" | Sep 20, 2016 |
Seeing the comments on my remark, I must say that I am sure we can agree that making a file unrecognisable is not the only way to avoid producing what someone referred to as "fake original".
Moreover, I suppose it's usually quite clear (if not clarified with the agency/client) what can't/shouldn't be recreated.
On the other hand, presenting your translation of something like a MSDS, product specification, production instructions (or anything else I can imagine right now) as straight... See more Seeing the comments on my remark, I must say that I am sure we can agree that making a file unrecognisable is not the only way to avoid producing what someone referred to as "fake original".
Moreover, I suppose it's usually quite clear (if not clarified with the agency/client) what can't/shouldn't be recreated.
On the other hand, presenting your translation of something like a MSDS, product specification, production instructions (or anything else I can imagine right now) as straight text (in "antique typewriter" style) is, in my opinion, like (or worse than like) having a cabinet painted and the painter returns it to you without the knobs, saying "I'm just a painter".
So, maybe I expect a translator not to be "just a translator" ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Pages in topic: < [1 2] | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: If no instructions are given, how closely do you match the format of a scanned PDF? | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
| | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
