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To be or not to be an agency
Thread poster: Williamson
Uldis Liepkalns
Uldis Liepkalns  Identity Verified
Latvia
Local time: 21:19
Member (2003)
English to Latvian
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Returning to the issue of the size Jan 15, 2004

One more thing I would like to add- the size of an Agency doesn’t say anything of its professionalism. We, for example, undertake only jobs we can do, and IF we take them, we DO them.
And one more issue I have never seen mentioned on any of ProZ forums- in all industries there is a principle: “EVERY THING HAS TO BE ONLY AS GOOD, AS IT HAS TO BE”. For example, a piezoelectric part of a non fillable lighter has not to function 100 years. It has to be good only for a calculated time per
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One more thing I would like to add- the size of an Agency doesn’t say anything of its professionalism. We, for example, undertake only jobs we can do, and IF we take them, we DO them.
And one more issue I have never seen mentioned on any of ProZ forums- in all industries there is a principle: “EVERY THING HAS TO BE ONLY AS GOOD, AS IT HAS TO BE”. For example, a piezoelectric part of a non fillable lighter has not to function 100 years. It has to be good only for a calculated time period pre-filled gas lasts.
Translation is an industry exactly like the others- every translation need to be only as good as it needs to be for a specific purpose. For example- we help many of our clients in communications via e-mail messages with their business partners in other, non English speaking countries, the only requirements for such a communication is that it is understood the same way by both involved parties. One other example would be various instructions for various home appliances- they have to be precise, that’s for sure, but they do not have to be done in Shakespearian language. That in any way doesn’t mean that a job can be done badly, but that- THE QUALITY OF A TRANSLATION (as of any other job) HAS TO COINCIDE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS, it has not not to exceed them (if it involves increase in price), nor be below them.

Uldis
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International Translation Agency Ltd // (X)
International Translation Agency Ltd // (X)
Local time: 20:19
English to French
+ ...
Freelance Translator vs Agency vs Company ! Feb 3, 2004

Besides some of the objectives criteria that were laid out by some of the members, I think it is important to add these parameters:

I. A Freelance translator is an individual who offers a translation service in a limited number of language pairs and in a limited number of field of specialization.

II. A translation agency often acts as a "middleman", prospecting jobs at the client's end and getting them done by freelance translators. Hardly any control, quality check, co
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Besides some of the objectives criteria that were laid out by some of the members, I think it is important to add these parameters:

I. A Freelance translator is an individual who offers a translation service in a limited number of language pairs and in a limited number of field of specialization.

II. A translation agency often acts as a "middleman", prospecting jobs at the client's end and getting them done by freelance translators. Hardly any control, quality check, confidentiality rules, etc... These agencies will tell you that they translate in ALL language combinations, ALL fields of specialization!

III. A Translation company is made up of inhouse translators; specializes in a limited number of domains; applies efficient quality assurance procedures; enjoys a sound financial status; and works with big customers that are familiar with translation requirements (such as UN agencies, intergovernemental organizations, etc.).

In all humility, we like to think that we belong to the latter category, although we're called International Translation AGENCY Ltd!




Steffen Pollex wrote:

Sorry, Williamson, but I simply do not get the point of what you are trying to say by stating the obvious and trying to discuss "problems" that are just non-existent or are of no relevance, after all (not for the first time, BTW).

Isn't it that I can call mnyself "translation agency", not being a translator at all, but distributing all orders to fellow translators and charging them a commision of 5% for providing clients? That's what agencies do, actually. So??? Which does not mean I am not an "agency" anymore if I translate myself.

What's the essence of your posting? And, provided there is such, does it really matter?

Cheers

Steffen

Williamson wrote:

I work together with other linguists,specialists, people who are married with a native speaker and live in the country where the language is spoken and pay them for their services. That way, I can offer translations into languages I do not know. Am I becoming an agency or does it take more to be one.
Where is the limit between the individual translator and the agency? In this virtual world it is possible to be a virtual agency.


[Edited at 2004-01-15 10:43]

[Edited at 2004-01-15 10:44]
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Marc P (X)
Marc P (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 20:19
German to English
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Translation agencies and companies Feb 3, 2004

International Translation Agency Ltd // wrote:

Besides some of the objectives criteria that were laid out by some of the members, I think it is important to add these parameters:


Some questions:

If a sole operator subcontracts translation work to other translators, but does so only in her own language combinations and checks/revises the work herself, is she then a freelance translator, translation agency or translation company?

If a translation company with 15 in-house staff subcontracts work in languages it can't handle to freelances and delivers that work without any checking or revision, can it still claim to be a translation company?

The distinction between whether in-house checking and revision procedures are carried out or not seems to be a fair one. But the implication that these procedures are by definition a function of the business' number of staff does not. From my experience, these parameters are often at variance with the reality.

Marc

[Edited at 2004-02-03 14:59]


 
Williamson
Williamson  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:19
Flemish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Cash-flow Feb 8, 2004

Whether an agency is a one man/one woman business or big corporation, it should have least have the cash flow to finance one big project and not like most agencies receive the assignment from the client, pass it on to a translator and if the client does not pay, having troubles paying the translators, who worked on a particular project.


[Edited at 2004-02-08 13:18]


 
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To be or not to be an agency







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