Translation - art & business » Translator resources »
Quoting a EN standard
Thread poster: Augusta Habas
Augusta Habas
Augusta Habas
France
Local time: 18:07
Italia menyang Prancis
+ ...
Feb 4, 2014

Hello,

I am translating a document (for an agency) in which about 2000 words are direct quotes of a EN standard document. The French version of this documents is sold on AFNOR for 170 euros, this means I wouldn't make any money on the translation if I bought it myself. But I don't think I should translate it, because 1) I think it is stupid to translate something that has already been translated, 2) I think the valid translation is the official version of the standard and not the on... See more
Hello,

I am translating a document (for an agency) in which about 2000 words are direct quotes of a EN standard document. The French version of this documents is sold on AFNOR for 170 euros, this means I wouldn't make any money on the translation if I bought it myself. But I don't think I should translate it, because 1) I think it is stupid to translate something that has already been translated, 2) I think the valid translation is the official version of the standard and not the one that could come out of my little brain, further more the translation will be authentified.
I have already told the PM about this but she hasn't reacted yet.
Is there any way to get the parts of the text that interest me, or how should I proceed?

Thanks for your advices! ▲ Collapse
 
Victoria Britten
Victoria Britten  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 18:07
Prancis menyang Inggris
+ ...
This came up just a few days ago Feb 4, 2014

The answers to that question might help you:

http://www.proz.com/topic/263579
 
Augusta Habas
Augusta Habas
France
Local time: 18:07
Italia menyang Prancis
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you but still it doesn't really answer my precise question Feb 4, 2014

Thank you Victoria, I couldn't find threads related to mine actually.
But here, I don't think the quality of the text of standard is questionable. I think it MUST be quoted literally. Or am I wrong?
 
José Henrique Lamensdorf
José Henrique Lamensdorf  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 14:07
Inggris menyang Portugis
+ ...
Ing pamenget
It's your client's choice Feb 4, 2014

Advise them (it seems you already have done so) that these translated quotes are published, and offer them the option to insert those quotes from the official translation if they provide it to you at no cost. Otherwise, you'll translate them your way, and their client will get a spurious translation of that publication's quotes.

While anyone could copy & paste, say, paragraph 2.2.3.12 without knowing either language, it takes ... See more
Advise them (it seems you already have done so) that these translated quotes are published, and offer them the option to insert those quotes from the official translation if they provide it to you at no cost. Otherwise, you'll translate them your way, and their client will get a spurious translation of that publication's quotes.

While anyone could copy & paste, say, paragraph 2.2.3.12 without knowing either language, it takes a translator to make sure it's the right text. All this involves work. The original pub and its official translation are not usually provided as a TM, so aligning them with a CAT tool would have its cost too. So there is no point in giving for free whatever text whose translation is found on reference material you'll have to search through.

I'll give you an analogy in DTP. Now and then I'm given an editable PDF to translate and adjust layout after translation. Quite often they use either company-proprietary fonts or very expensive ones, I offer the client a choice: either they a) provide me with those fonts at no cost; or b) let me use any lookalikes I find in my 11K fonts collection ▲ Collapse
 
Augusta Habas
Augusta Habas
France
Local time: 18:07
Italia menyang Prancis
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
we found the text on the internet Feb 5, 2014

Most of the necessary parts were quoted in a document on the internet, my PM found it for me!

Thank you anyway for your replies!
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Maria Castro[Call to this topic]
Nawal Kramer[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Quoting a EN standard







Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »
Pastey
Your smart companion app

Pastey is an innovative desktop application that bridges the gap between human expertise and artificial intelligence. With intuitive keyboard shortcuts, Pastey transforms your source text into AI-powered draft translations.

Find out more »