Sample translations in profile Thread poster: Birgit Richter
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For all those who have completed this section of their profiles:
Where do you get your samples from? I used to use a paragraph about being willing to provide test translations, together with a translation of that paragraph in my target language, until another translator made a comment about it (that this section is really to provide samples of your work, not to advertise your services). After checking Site Rules I concluded he had a point there, so I deleted the sample.
... See more For all those who have completed this section of their profiles:
Where do you get your samples from? I used to use a paragraph about being willing to provide test translations, together with a translation of that paragraph in my target language, until another translator made a comment about it (that this section is really to provide samples of your work, not to advertise your services). After checking Site Rules I concluded he had a point there, so I deleted the sample.
For a sample translation I do not want to resort to past jobs, for reasons of confidentiality. But I also don't want to get into trouble for infringing copyrights.
Any suggestions? Did anybody use e.g. a newspaper article or an article from a magazine for their sample translation and did they ask the originators of the articles for permission to use them for their purposes or is it enough to acknowledge the source at the bottom?
Thanks.
[Edited at 2008-01-06 21:34] ▲ Collapse
| | | | nordiste 
France
Local time: 12:29
English to French
+ ...
Wikipedia offers a large variety of material that you can copy and translate, you can make your choice in your field of expertise.
Just be carefull not to select an article which is already a translation or has been translated .
There are other free sources as well, for instance on the Gutenberg project website, but it is more suitable for literary translation.
| | | | | Out of copyright | Jan 6, 2008 |
It may or may not be in your part, but there are many books out of copyright, since they were published long ago.
| | | | lexical
Spain
Local time: 12:29
Portuguese to English
| available on request | Jan 6, 2008 |
I completed this section of my profile with the statement "Sample translations available to serious outsourcers on request", which is precisely what I mean - if I judge a potential outsourcer to be a serious and reliable customer, and they wish to see a sample of my work, I'll provide it. I don't intend to put my work on public display for the benefit of time wasters and rubber neckers.
At any rate, this seems to satisfy "the system" in that it says I've completed that section satis... See more I completed this section of my profile with the statement "Sample translations available to serious outsourcers on request", which is precisely what I mean - if I judge a potential outsourcer to be a serious and reliable customer, and they wish to see a sample of my work, I'll provide it. I don't intend to put my work on public display for the benefit of time wasters and rubber neckers.
At any rate, this seems to satisfy "the system" in that it says I've completed that section satisfactorily. I don't see why you feel unable to do the same. In my view, it's not "advertising my services", it's a simple statement of the facts. I don't know what these "Site Rules" are that you refer to - as far as I'm concerned, I make the rules about what appears on my profile - nobody else. ▲ Collapse
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| | Giles Watson
Italy
Local time: 12:29
Italian to English
In memoriam
lexical wrote:
At any rate, this seems to satisfy "the system" in that it says I've completed that section satisfactorily. I don't see why you feel unable to do the same. In my view, it's not "advertising my services", it's a simple statement of the facts. I don't know what these "Site Rules" are that you refer to - as far as I'm concerned, I make the rules about what appears on my profile - nobody else.
Hi lexical,
These are the rules.
http://www.proz.com/rules
Number 3 is the one Birgit is referring to.
Personally, I don't think she was doing anything wrong either. I'm sure if she sends in a support ticket with the text she was using, the site staff will tell her if it's OK. Lots of people don't like posting examples of their work for all sorts of perfectly valid reasons and a note along the lines of "sample translations available on request" looks like a good solution.
Cheers,
Giles
| | | | Parrot
Spain
Local time: 12:29
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Some suggestions | Jan 7, 2008 |
Birgit Richter wrote:
For a sample translation I do not want to resort to past jobs, for reasons of confidentiality. But I also don't want to get into trouble for infringing copyrights.
Any suggestions? Did anybody use e.g. a newspaper article or an article from a magazine for their sample translation and did they ask the originators of the articles for permission to use them for their purposes or is it enough to acknowledge the source at the bottom?
1.- Previous published material whereby a.) you are acknowledged as translator; or b.) you have the permission of the client (some clients with whom you have worked very closely, contributing research of your own and your constructive suggestions for the improvement of the total presentation may be amenable, particularly where you specialise in the subject matter. The academe is easy to deal with in this regard).
2.- Passages from public domain, preferrably without previous translations. (If translations exist, you may want to put up a Cf. for purposes of comparison.)
3.- Living authors who have given their consent for a partial translation (some of them may even be actually interested in attracting possible publishers of translations).
I largely agree with Giles, although I might point out that the purpose of the portfolio section was to save those translators who did not have so much time for tests from the bother.
Another advantage that the portfolio section provides is that of indicating your own interests and specialty areas (for example, if you don't want to bother with certain fields, DON'T post samples in them).
For the rest, there are certain definitions developed in the doctrine of "fair use" that may be applicable. One of these relates to the amount of copyrighted work posted.
| | | | Giles Watson
Italy
Local time: 12:29
Italian to English
In memoriam | In practice, though,... | Jan 7, 2008 |
Parrot wrote:
I largely agree with Giles, although I might point out that the purpose of the portfolio section was to save those translators who did not have so much time for tests from the bother.
... prospective clients who habitually require tests from their translators will probably insist anyway.
The portfolio is just another hoop you have to jump through if you want to get into the jobs circuit.
Still, it's a nice little showcase for those who want to take advantage and if you can sidestep it with a "sample translations available on request" message, I don't think it does much harm. If it continues to annoy or confuse people, "sample translations available on request" could be made the default setting.
FWIW
Giles
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| Public Domain Material | Jan 11, 2008 |
So, forgive my naivete, but how/where do you find such material?
| | | | | Still wondering about public domain resources. | Oct 20, 2008 |
Anyone care to help?
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Sample translations in profile | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
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