Poll: Do you ask your clients to share the proofread version of documents you've translated? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you ask your clients to share the proofread version of documents you've translated?".
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| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 12:14
Spanish to English
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Asumptions, assumptions. I assume my direct clients don't "proofread" my translated documents, and I don't know (or give a hoot) what the few agencies I occasionally work with do with them once I've delivered them. I also assume that they'd contact me in the event of any doubts or queries. But never 'appen, mon, never 'appen.
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I don't usually ask clients to "share" proofread versions of my translations.
However, they sometimes send them to me, unasked, for my comments.
I'd only ask to see the proofread version if the client said they'd received comments from the end client without sending me the proofread version, of course.
I don't usually know whether or not a client has my work proofread. Sometimes they tell me it's going to be proofread, sometimes not. I don't ask them.
| | | | Ana Vozone 
Local time: 11:14
Member (2010)
English to Portuguese
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I hardly ever get feedback from my clients, but would love to. So, for certain texts that are, for instance, more challenging, I sometimes ask my client to send me their final version.
This gives me a chance to update my translation memories and delete terms that the client has refused and does not wish me to use again in the future.
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cloudhunter (X)
Germany
Local time: 12:14
English to German
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I had this one client, who I terminated the cooperation with, who had constant payment issues and was nice enough to inform me that my translation was very bad on a regular basis. Every time I asked for a proofread version and they either "forgot" this whole thing, or sent me the proofread version. Their "proofreader" turned out to be a person holding a B2 certificate and spoke very miserable German, i.e. they replaced my correct translation (I work with my own proofreader) with what they... See more I had this one client, who I terminated the cooperation with, who had constant payment issues and was nice enough to inform me that my translation was very bad on a regular basis. Every time I asked for a proofread version and they either "forgot" this whole thing, or sent me the proofread version. Their "proofreader" turned out to be a person holding a B2 certificate and spoke very miserable German, i.e. they replaced my correct translation (I work with my own proofreader) with what they thought was better.
So, if the client is happy, they don't tend to come back with proofread files. If the client (only suspicious agencies so far!) claims my translation is bad, I will keep on asking. (thank God it happened only with two clients so far) ▲ Collapse
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I suppose my direct clients use my translations as they are. Usually I don't know whether or not my work is proofread by the agencies I work for, but I have been asked once or twice to send my translation directly to their proofreader. There is only one agency that always sends the proofread version for my approval. From all the others I have no feedback except… payment and hopefully repeat business!
[Edited at 2016-09-10 10:39 GMT]
[Edited at 2016-09-10 12:55 GMT]
| | | | | Never... wait a minute: sometimes | Sep 10, 2016 |
I assume most of my clients proofread my translations (I proofread them myself a first time before sending them), but I never ask for their "version", unless it's a sworn translation and I have to stamp it. I check then the proofread version thoroughly and I never put the stamp on it till we agree on the final version.
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Too busy with the next project.
No news is good news, and when they come back for more, all is fine.
All my clients (agencies) use proofreaders/editors (sometimes I am one)
Some clients use the routine of sending the proofread/edited draft back to the translator for validation, but just a few of them.
Also, in a couple of cases translator and editor know each other by name and work together. And that creates good respect.
[Edited at 2016-09-10 13:28 G... See more Too busy with the next project.
No news is good news, and when they come back for more, all is fine.
All my clients (agencies) use proofreaders/editors (sometimes I am one)
Some clients use the routine of sending the proofread/edited draft back to the translator for validation, but just a few of them.
Also, in a couple of cases translator and editor know each other by name and work together. And that creates good respect.
[Edited at 2016-09-10 13:28 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 11:14
Member (2007)
English
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| No, but... Yes, but... | Sep 10, 2016 |
It isn't a question where a Yes/No answer is possible, IMHO.
If it's a direct client, who may well not have access to a proofreader, I'll quote for the translation (including my own proofreading, of course), plus I'll give them the option of paying for me to have it checked over. Normally they prefer to take the cheaper option. In that case, I really don't see why I should reread the whole thing for free because their proofreader - who may not be a native speaker - doesn't agree wit... See more It isn't a question where a Yes/No answer is possible, IMHO.
If it's a direct client, who may well not have access to a proofreader, I'll quote for the translation (including my own proofreading, of course), plus I'll give them the option of paying for me to have it checked over. Normally they prefer to take the cheaper option. In that case, I really don't see why I should reread the whole thing for free because their proofreader - who may not be a native speaker - doesn't agree with what I've done. But I do always say that I'll respond to queries, within reason, until the due payment date. And some of them take me up on that, particularly in the first few jobs. That's fine if it gives them confidence in me and doesn't take too long. If it's an agency, I make the same offer but I rarely hear anything more from them - until the next order . ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 08:14
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| I don't ask for it | Sep 10, 2016 |
There are many clients that do share the proofread versions, which I think it's the most correct thing to do, because the last word is always the translator's and never the reviser's. I've had many issues with unde changes made by revisers, and when the proofread version is not shared, you don't know what absurdities they made in your translation and sent to the client.
Many times, I have also received notes/comments from clients, and when I opened the file to check, I realized ther... See more There are many clients that do share the proofread versions, which I think it's the most correct thing to do, because the last word is always the translator's and never the reviser's. I've had many issues with unde changes made by revisers, and when the proofread version is not shared, you don't know what absurdities they made in your translation and sent to the client.
Many times, I have also received notes/comments from clients, and when I opened the file to check, I realized there were changes made that I wasn't aware of. In these cases, I simply tell the agency that is not my translation, not the document I submitted. The person who made the changes is responsible for replying the client and making any changes required, not me. If you want me to reply client's comments, the final version submitted to the client must be the last one I sent as final; absolutely not one made by a reviser without my approval. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 06:14
English to Spanish
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| The exception to the rule | Sep 10, 2016 |
I'd like to advocate the ideal situation: translator and reviewer/proofreader/editor working together over time will develop trust and learn each other's writing style so that the number of correction is lowered. That's the best quality control mechanism I've seen and practiced when possible in my entire career.
When the agency or whoever separates the translator from the proofreader or reviewer, the user (not the client) is the loser. I regularly disregard invitations to wor... See more I'd like to advocate the ideal situation: translator and reviewer/proofreader/editor working together over time will develop trust and learn each other's writing style so that the number of correction is lowered. That's the best quality control mechanism I've seen and practiced when possible in my entire career.
When the agency or whoever separates the translator from the proofreader or reviewer, the user (not the client) is the loser. I regularly disregard invitations to work from a customer in the Upper Midwest (USA) on the grounds that a translation may be rejected by this agency if a reviewer (unknown to me) deems it poor or otherwise unacceptable. Consequently, I stand to be paid less simply because someone else disagrees with my translation.
The only exception where I ask a prospect a proofread translation of mine is when my translation has been contested or objected to prior to be considered for a long-term collaboration or contract. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Selcuk Akyuz
Türkiye
Local time: 14:14
English to Turkish
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| No need to ask for it, they always send it | Sep 10, 2016 |
Some of my clients always send the edited (reviewed) and proofread versions.
Translator > Editor > Translator > Proofreader > Translator > End Client > Translator > Finalisation
But editors and proofreaders do not always receive those versions or updated TMs and they make the same changes in each new project.
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Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 08:14
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Mario Chavez wrote:
I'd like to advocate the ideal situation: translator and reviewer/proofreader/editor working together over time will develop trust and learn each other's writing style so that the number of correction is lowered. That's the best quality control mechanism I've seen and practiced when possible in my entire career.
I totally agree, however, out of 100 clients, perhaps 2 or 3 actually do that. Needless to say, those 2 or 3 are the ones that deliver the best translations to their clients. Why is it so hard for the agencies to realize that? Why do they hide the revisions from the translators? And why, oh Lord why, do they many times accept the revisers "corrections", not seen and approved or contested by the translator, and send the reviser's final document to the client instead of the translator's final document? There is no plausible explanation for such dumb procedure.
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