Should clients pay for TM files? विषय पोस्ट करनेवाला व्यक्ति: Jennifer Lambert (X)
|
|---|
Jennifer Lambert (X) 
चीन
Local time: 01:16
जर्मन से अंग्रेजी
+ ...
Hello:
First, I am a part-time translator and generally only take translation projects if I have time. Moreover, I have encountered very few translation projects thus far that produced any hesitation regarding the agreed upon payment for translation services.
Second, I recently accepted a translation project (while half-awake, honestly) that required the TM files at the end of the project. At first, this was no big deal to me, but as I continued to work on the project... See more Hello:
First, I am a part-time translator and generally only take translation projects if I have time. Moreover, I have encountered very few translation projects thus far that produced any hesitation regarding the agreed upon payment for translation services.
Second, I recently accepted a translation project (while half-awake, honestly) that required the TM files at the end of the project. At first, this was no big deal to me, but as I continued to work on the project, I recognized the real value of a TM file -- especially if there is unique word pairing that cannot be found elsewhere. It really is like intellectual property -- and the client would have full possession of it post-delivery.
What has been your experience with requests for TM files? Do you see the transfer of TM files as just part of a translator's job? Or should an extra fee be negotiated?
Thanks,
Jennifer ▲ Collapse
| | | | Samuel Murray
नीदरलैंड
Local time: 19:16
सदस्य (2006)
अंग्रेजी से अफ्रीकान
+ ...
Jennifer Lambert wrote:
Do you see the transfer of TM files as just part of a translator's job?
If it takes effort (and time) to produce the TM, then you should obviously be compensated for your time and effort. But let's face it: modern CAT tools create TMs almost as a byproduct. There is practically or actually no effort on your part to create a TM. And it requires no skill either -- it's not as if you carefully craft the structure of each TM each time you create one. So, if the TM contains nothing more than the source and target text of the files that you're going to deliver anyway, then you're essentially giving the client a copy of his translation, albeit in a different file format.
It becomes a different matter if you start mixing translations from different sources, or if you are required by your client to update the TM for "his" jobs yourself (either for consistency's sake or for extra discounts).
But even so, if you're skilled at using your CAT tool, then TM management (i.e. keeping the right copies of the right TMs in the right locations) should be something you do as part of your normal routine anyway. It can be useful for a new translator to know beforehand how to do proper TM management (since CAT tools typically leave that up to the translator to figure out) so that it requires no extra effort to deal with "special" TM related requests.
To sum up: no, only in very rare cases is there any real, non-intuitive reason to require clients to pay for TMs.
Samuel
[Edited at 2019-01-22 06:00 GMT]
| | | | Jennifer Lambert (X)
चीन
Local time: 01:16
जर्मन से अंग्रेजी
+ ...
विषय आरंभकर्ता | Good points! | Jan 22, 2019 |
Thanks for replying!
I rarely use a CAT tool for translating, as it is often more of a headache than a tool for small projects or projects with special formatting. If I were working with simple formatting and text that can be easily segmented, then sending an extra TM file to the client would be effortless. This is not the case for this particular project, but the client probably sees it as you see it -- no additional effort to produce the TM file. Regardless, a .tmx file is more... See more Thanks for replying!
I rarely use a CAT tool for translating, as it is often more of a headache than a tool for small projects or projects with special formatting. If I were working with simple formatting and text that can be easily segmented, then sending an extra TM file to the client would be effortless. This is not the case for this particular project, but the client probably sees it as you see it -- no additional effort to produce the TM file. Regardless, a .tmx file is more valuable than a .docx file, because the text is already processed and becomes effortless for the receiving party to utilize for own TMs. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | No. It's accepted practice. | Jan 22, 2019 |
1. CAT tools are particularly useful for special formatting, forms etc. and in general for all translations. In fact, their main benefit is the database of translated terms in the TM that you thus create, and which remains available to you at all times.
2. The customer can still produce a TM by aligning the source and the translation, but it's a pain.
3. You committed to deliver the TM, so there is not much room to negotiate. It's not such a big deal, anyway,
HTH,
... See more 1. CAT tools are particularly useful for special formatting, forms etc. and in general for all translations. In fact, their main benefit is the database of translated terms in the TM that you thus create, and which remains available to you at all times.
2. The customer can still produce a TM by aligning the source and the translation, but it's a pain.
3. You committed to deliver the TM, so there is not much room to negotiate. It's not such a big deal, anyway,
HTH,
Sandra ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
| Only the TM for the specific job | Jan 22, 2019 |
As others have said, it is quite normal practice to ask for a TM.
However, you should obviously not send them a TM with anything you have done for other clients!
In Studio it is relatively easy to filter out the last job, even if you have not set any filters, simply by filtering segments from after the time you started. Then save those segments as a TMX.
I do not know how to do it with other CATs, but there must be some way of getting a similar result.
... See more As others have said, it is quite normal practice to ask for a TM.
However, you should obviously not send them a TM with anything you have done for other clients!
In Studio it is relatively easy to filter out the last job, even if you have not set any filters, simply by filtering segments from after the time you started. Then save those segments as a TMX.
I do not know how to do it with other CATs, but there must be some way of getting a similar result.
Some clients send packages, and the bilingual file is included in whatever format the CAT works with (e.g. sdlxliff with Studio). They also set what comes back in the return package.
If you have used your own TM(s) and database as well, you should remove them before creating the return package, but it sounds as if you have not been sent a package, of they want a TM. ▲ Collapse
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Should clients pay for TM files? | 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 » |
| | Trados Business Manager Lite |
|---|
Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
