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Advice on Test Translations
Thread poster: John-Paul Greco
John-Paul Greco
John-Paul Greco  Identity Verified
Local time: 21:48
English to Italian
+ ...
Oct 9, 2008

Hello everyone. I've been asked to do a test translation that is over 1200 words long. Does that seem right? I've done a few tests, but this, to me, seems quite long for a test. Can I get any opinions regarding the standard length of a test translation, or what one can do if they feel doubtful? I would apreciate any feedback.

Thank-you in advance,
 
James McVay
James McVay  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 21:48
Russian to English
+ ...
Recently discussed Oct 9, 2008

A very similar question was recently discussed at some length here:

http://www.proz.com/forum/translation_theory_and_practice/117533-translation_test.html
 
Daniel Šebesta
Daniel Šebesta  Identity Verified
Czech Republic
Local time: 03:48
Member (2007)
English to Czech
+ ...
My limits Oct 9, 2008

John-Paul,

I do free tests up to 250, in special cases 300 words. If a client needs more volume to get an impression of my work, I refer them to my sample translations in my profile and/or I offer them a paid test translation (e.g. at 75% of my standard rate).

HTH,

Daniel
 
Elisabete Cunha
Elisabete Cunha  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 02:48
Member (2006)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Too long Oct 9, 2008

Hi John-Paul

It seems to me that the test is too long. An acceptable translation test shouldn't exceed 300-400 words.
Of course this can vary according to each particular situation.
I once did a test of 700 words but I was applying for an assignment of 200.000 words, so I gave it a try.

See if it is worth in your case and if the client is interesting to you or not.

Good luck!


Elisabete Cunha
 
Uldis Liepkalns
Uldis Liepkalns  Identity Verified
Latvia
Local time: 04:48
Member (2003)
English to Latvian
+ ...
One more recent thread Oct 9, 2008

http://www.proz.com/topic/114143

Uldis
 
John-Paul Greco
John-Paul Greco  Identity Verified
Local time: 21:48
English to Italian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Advice on Test Translations Oct 9, 2008

Thank-you for the responses. I'd already done quite a bit of it before concluding that 1200 seems quite long. I'm about half way through. I wonder what I should tell them.
 
Trudy Peters
Trudy Peters  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 21:48
German to English
+ ...
As a paid test only Oct 9, 2008

Tell the client you'll do the 1200 words for pay, otherwise they'll have to be satisfied with ~300 words. You can word it a bit more diplomatically
 
Boris Sigalov
Boris Sigalov
Local time: 04:48
English to Russian
200 words Oct 10, 2008

In most cases I refuse to do free tests at all. On rare occasions when I accept a test it shouldn't exceed 200 words.
 


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