| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3 4 5 6] > | Are my translation rates too high? Seeking feedback on pricing strategy Thread poster: Alisha Rice
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Alisha Rice wrote:
I am new. Is the going rate as a newbie into the industry even with a Master's degree , /10-.12 cents per word for Spanish
Spanish->English translators have been complaining about low rates for as long as I can remember. It does seem particularly affected in a way that, say, German->English is not. I think the explanations you've already had hold water in that regard.
Just as a matter of approach to the issue of rates and being a noob, I wrote this ages ago in my now-defunct blog https://cbavington.com/blog/2011/06/28/article-beginners-rates/ in which I basically argue that charging less is not a good strategy (or do I mean tactic ) for newcomers, in any pair.
Don't overlook the value of relevant experience. One of my favourite tales in this regard is a review I once did of an HR translation. As a piece of prose, it was fine. Thing is, it was about annual appraisals, a concept familiar to anyone that's held down a white-collar job, especially. Not so much, apparently, to someone fresh off the academic production line...
| | | | Alisha Rice 
United States
Local time: 09:59
Member (Jun 2024)
Spanish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
From what I have been told, it's languages that are the most competitive where the rates are lower. From what I have researched online, I am seeing .10-.12 cents per word. I changed on my profile to .12 per word. I figure I would do the same for Portuguese. What sucks is I applied to all these companies and told them .15 per word but I hope they don't disregard me and still reach out to me. I feel like now I have to go back and reach out to them all again and re-quote my new rate. That's a h... See more From what I have been told, it's languages that are the most competitive where the rates are lower. From what I have researched online, I am seeing .10-.12 cents per word. I changed on my profile to .12 per word. I figure I would do the same for Portuguese. What sucks is I applied to all these companies and told them .15 per word but I hope they don't disregard me and still reach out to me. I feel like now I have to go back and reach out to them all again and re-quote my new rate. That's a huge hassle. I don't even know if that is still too high. I reached out to ATA to have my password reset to get people's opinions on that rate range for that language pair. ▲ Collapse
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Alisha Rice wrote:
From what I have been told, it's languages that are the most competitive where the rates are lower. From what I have researched online, I am seeing .10-.12 cents per word. I changed on my profile to .12 per word. I figure I would do the same for Portuguese. What sucks is I applied to all these companies and told them .15 per word but I hope they don't disregard me and still reach out to me. I feel like now I have to go back and reach out to them all again and re-quote my new rate. That's a huge hassle. I don't even know if that is still too high. I reached out to ATA to have my password reset to get people's opinions on that rate range for that language pair.
Not an expert in Spanish but I’d hold fire on the 12 cents updates until you’ve completed your research.
| | | | Kevin Fulton
United States
Local time: 12:59
German to English
| Return on Investment | Jul 25 |
As I mentioned above, this is not a good time to start out in the words for money business. You graduated with the expectation that an advanced degree in translation will provide immediate benefits in terms of your earnings compared to non-degree holders with limited work experience. Based on your training, you're a step ahead of a newbie non-degree holder: you can research terminology, organize a database, use a CAT tool, know where to get information and recognize your limitations. The payoff ... See more As I mentioned above, this is not a good time to start out in the words for money business. You graduated with the expectation that an advanced degree in translation will provide immediate benefits in terms of your earnings compared to non-degree holders with limited work experience. Based on your training, you're a step ahead of a newbie non-degree holder: you can research terminology, organize a database, use a CAT tool, know where to get information and recognize your limitations. The payoff will be in better use of your time and increased productivity, which over the long haul will benefit your earning capacity. However, in the short term, you're just like any tyro without subject-matter expertise and will be paid like one.
No one here is trying to give you a hard time or denigrate your education. It's difficult right now for many long-time translators to earn a decent living, as demonstrated by the number of experienced ATA members who are offering courses on how to be a successful translator in addition to trying to make a buck at something they're good at. ▲ Collapse
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Mario Chávez
United States
Local time: 12:59
Member (Jun 2024)
English to Spanish
+ ...
| About those courses | Jul 25 |
I agree on the whole, Kevin. I put little stock on those courses, but I recognize that some translators are trying to generate revenue streams in addition to translation/interpreting jobs because these aren't enough to pay the mortgage or the kids' education.
Alisha, one thing many of us who started without on this profession decades ago was social media: blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Some of us (I bet) got started in CompuServe forums. One thing we learned pretty fast ba... See more I agree on the whole, Kevin. I put little stock on those courses, but I recognize that some translators are trying to generate revenue streams in addition to translation/interpreting jobs because these aren't enough to pay the mortgage or the kids' education.
Alisha, one thing many of us who started without on this profession decades ago was social media: blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Some of us (I bet) got started in CompuServe forums. One thing we learned pretty fast back then was to keep it professional on the job and off the job because our reputation could precede us. A translator, in fact, any professional in any industry, finds it useful to temper his/her frustration when talking about common struggles or hurdles. We want to be viewed as collaborative, ingenious, ready to roll up our sleeves, good listeners and patient.
Despite the tens of thousands of translators out there, translation agencies and project managers live in a small world and they talk to each other. Just as retyping the content of one's resumé on a company's webpage is tiresome (but necessary or required), so it is how we address things like rates, working conditions, getting started with or without a degree, etc.
Word to the wise: instead of leading with translation rates, if approached by a prospective customer, ask what their budget is, show willingness to learn a new topic, research a new field. Offer to proofread the translator's text even if it is about fasteners or carpentry. If you are a good writer, that means you care about punctuation and grammar rules and texts, not simple words. That goes a very long way.
MC
Kevin Fulton wrote:
No one here is trying to give you a hard time or denigrate your education. It's difficult right now for many long-time translators to earn a decent living, as demonstrated by the number of experienced ATA members who are offering courses on how to be a successful translator in addition to trying to make a buck at something they're good at. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Lieven Malaise
Belgium
Local time: 18:59
Member (2020)
French to Dutch
+ ...
| As I always say... | Jul 26 |
... as a newbie, even with a translation degree, (like I once was) you know next to nothing about translation. It's all about experience. You will get (much) better and (much) faster over the years, regardless of the talent you already have.
So it doesn't make sense at all to expect an above-average high rate in your first years, having a degree or not.
| | | | IrinaN
United States
Local time: 11:59
English to Russian
+ ...
| Never have and never will | Jul 26 |
Christopher Schröder wrote:
I’m surprised those teaching on the course haven’t advised on rates.
[Edited at 2024-07-25 17:52 GMT]
How else would they lure in tons of money for education in "liberal arts?" By promising to create future world rulers, of course. If they were honest, they should have said that translation is no longer a path to prosperity for ~95% of the newbies in many language pairs. I am not about to start arguing with those who are still holding on to their niches. Good for you, guys, but... Times have changed. Full acceptance of the new way of manipulating words through/by/with AI/MT/CATs et al may be the way to go but I'm not stepping into that ugly mess and can't say anything about possible wealth accumulation there.
There is a lot to read on the net about disilusioned liberal arts' graduates struggling to find a job, first a good-paying job and then any job. It's chemical and mechanical engineers who are flooded with fat offers.
BTW, online rate research isn't worth a penny. There are no global or even domestic standards, no realistic one-fits-all tables and graphs, and very little openness between comrades-in-arms on the current market that shrinks faster than the skin of sorrow. Only real world helps to bring both feet back to Earth.
Real world is tough.
[Edited at 2024-07-26 10:23 GMT]
| | | | kd42
Estonia
Local time: 19:59
English to Russian
| Quite an unexpected attitude | Jul 26 |
Alisha Rice wrote:
I don't need advice on working a long time to pay a student loan off. My question was about the rate. =snip= I wanted to explain, clearly and simply, how you could prosper with the existing rates, but my advice is not about the rates, and your reaction to a colleague's statement looks counterproductive to me.
When I post on a forum, I am always grateful for any reply, even a rude one, they all help me to find a solution.
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IrinaN
United States
Local time: 11:59
English to Russian
+ ...
kd42 wrote:
When I post on a forum, I am always grateful for any reply, even a rude one, they all help me to find a solution.
Patience and detection of real meaning behind words are another invaluable qualities of a professional translator. Behind simple words there is a very sound advise. As a patient adult professional, Kevin even bothered to rephrase and smooth it out in another post. "Student loan" should have been read as a metaphor.
| | | | Mario Chávez
United States
Local time: 12:59
Member (Jun 2024)
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Translators as world rulers? | Jul 26 |
That's an unexpectedly cheerful note, irina, in that you are mostly right about the “AI/MT/CATs et al” ugly mess. Software tools that help us spellcheck, grammarcheck, write or translate are just that, tools. Do we admire a skyscraper for its bolted beams? Is it the bulldozer and grader work that cause our admiration of a modern highway? Do we declare a delicious cake a dessert champion because of its ingredients or because of its creator?
But what I found tragicomic was... See more That's an unexpectedly cheerful note, irina, in that you are mostly right about the “AI/MT/CATs et al” ugly mess. Software tools that help us spellcheck, grammarcheck, write or translate are just that, tools. Do we admire a skyscraper for its bolted beams? Is it the bulldozer and grader work that cause our admiration of a modern highway? Do we declare a delicious cake a dessert champion because of its ingredients or because of its creator?
But what I found tragicomic was the reference to Liberal Arts as a route to “create future world rulers,” and that “translation is no longer a path for prosperity.” At the risk of getting pelted with paper balls, I daresay that your experience comes from observing Liberal Arts teaching in the United States, which is not the same as elsewhere. University education in America has long been corporatized and commoditized. And don't get me started on student-centered teaching.
MC
IrinaN wrote:
Christopher Schröder wrote:
I’m surprised those teaching on the course haven’t advised on rates.
[Edited at 2024-07-25 17:52 GMT]
How else would they lure in tons of money for education in "liberal arts?" By promising to create future world rulers, of course. If they were honest, they should have said that translation is no longer a path to prosperity for ~95% of the newbies in many language pairs. I am not about to start arguing with those who are still holding on to their niches. Good for you, guys, but... Times have changed. Full acceptance of the new way of manipulating words through/by/with AI/MT/CATs et al may be the way to go but I'm not stepping into that ugly mess and can't say anything about possible wealth accumulation there.
There is a lot to read on the net about disilusioned liberal arts' graduates struggling to find a job, first a good-paying job and then any job. It's chemical and mechanical engineers who are flooded with fat offers.
BTW, online rate research isn't worth a penny. There are no global or even domestic standards, no realistic one-fits-all tables and graphs, and very little openness between comrades-in-arms on the current market that shrinks faster than the skin of sorrow. Only real world helps to bring both feet back to Earth.
Real world is tough.
[Edited at 2024-07-26 10:23 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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"There is a lot of money to be made in the translation business... Provided you're not a translator."
Even though the translation business is now getting digested by the AI/LLM/what-not business, I think it holds more than ever.
Philippe
| | | | Alisha Rice
United States
Local time: 09:59
Member (Jun 2024)
Spanish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
First of all, I have to say to one comment, I never appreciate rude comments. They just aren't necessary. I am finding that rates seem to be so varied and it is hard to pinpoint what to set mine at on this site but it seems that Spanish is between .06-.08. As much as I would like to set mine at .10, it seems I may not get any jobs if I do that. I have seen some opinions in regards to a higher education in translation such as a Master's which is what I did in Translation Studies and I decided ... See more First of all, I have to say to one comment, I never appreciate rude comments. They just aren't necessary. I am finding that rates seem to be so varied and it is hard to pinpoint what to set mine at on this site but it seems that Spanish is between .06-.08. As much as I would like to set mine at .10, it seems I may not get any jobs if I do that. I have seen some opinions in regards to a higher education in translation such as a Master's which is what I did in Translation Studies and I decided to do because I had absolutely no experience in translation and I thought that would be the perfect route as far as where to get started. Mainly, because I had no idea how to approach a translation and I wanted to get an idea how how it worked. It turned out to be the perfect route for me to get started. I felt I got the translation experience and you develop theories into how to approach translation that do make you a better translator in combination with the years of experience you develop over the years. People can have their opinions over a higher degree and whether it gives you an edge or not over competitors but I believe it does in the long run and I highly encourage many to pursue it. Obviously, it is each one's choice but I certainly don't want anyone to put it down or discount the value of it. It is truly an asset for a translator to pursue this and years of experience isn't the only thing that will cut it. Maybe employers do or don't care about a higher degree. I am not sure.
If they don't, they will in the future I believe. This only adds to your value as a translator. I can only say this because from what I learned in the program, I was able to develop so much knowledge in how to approach a translation. Knowledge you can't gain from experience but only from an academic perspective. I know I may not get positive responses from what I am saying but you only can understand what I am saying when you have had the experience of the program and the information you acquire and then apply it to your translations. For me now, I have to build on my experience. That is what I am lacking right now. ▲ Collapse
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Lingua 5B
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 18:59
Member (2009)
English to Croatian
+ ...
Let’s leave your academic program aside for a moment.
How many paying projects have you done so far, as a freelance translator, that you invoiced and billed? For these, how much were you paid per word?
| | | | Alisha Rice
United States
Local time: 09:59
Member (Jun 2024)
Spanish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
For starters, I just graduated so I am still looking for jobs. I am trying to work with finding a rate where I will attract clients. So far I think what is deterring them is the fact that I am so new so I think that is why I am having a hard time. So I think your questions are quite abrupt considering I am just starting into the market. Of course, I haven't done any paid projects. I just entered the market!
| | | | Lingua 5B
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 18:59
Member (2009)
English to Croatian
+ ...
So your estimations are based on nothing.
You haven’t done any project, yet, you seem to know a lot about how clients think, operate or select freelancers. Take your time to test the reality!
Your assumed rates seem highly unrealistic. But even if you lowered them to €0.04 psw, I am not sure how it would work in a highly saturated pair coupled with today’s AI/MTPE trends.
On that note, some of the newbies came here to tell us how they lowered their r... See more So your estimations are based on nothing.
You haven’t done any project, yet, you seem to know a lot about how clients think, operate or select freelancers. Take your time to test the reality!
Your assumed rates seem highly unrealistic. But even if you lowered them to €0.04 psw, I am not sure how it would work in a highly saturated pair coupled with today’s AI/MTPE trends.
On that note, some of the newbies came here to tell us how they lowered their rates on purpose (eg. €0.05) and still not getting any replies. ▲ Collapse
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