Poll: What is the biggest misconception new clients have when approaching freelance translators? Autor da sequência: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What is the biggest misconception new clients have when approaching freelance translators?".
View the poll results »
| | | | | All of the above plus some... | Jul 23 |
1. Anyone who is a bilingual can translate,
2. A translator can translate any subject matter,
3. A translator can translate in both directions,
4. Translation is simply replacing word-for-word,
5. Translation and interpreting are the same job,
6. Nowadays, with all the technology available, translation should be as fast as light…
7. Should I go on?
| | | | Daryo
Local time: 00:01
Sérvio para Inglês
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| A not so minor distinction completely forgotten ... | Jul 23 |
There is a not so minor distinction completely forgotten in the wording of this poll question:
there are 'clients' and 'clients' - the 'clients' who need the translation for themselves (privately or for their business) and those who are nothing more than intermediaries are two completely different beasts in the 'translation market' jungle.
Also, the real problem [especially with intermediaries] is often not in 'misconceptions' but in ignoring 'conceptions' that they sh... See more There is a not so minor distinction completely forgotten in the wording of this poll question:
there are 'clients' and 'clients' - the 'clients' who need the translation for themselves (privately or for their business) and those who are nothing more than intermediaries are two completely different beasts in the 'translation market' jungle.
Also, the real problem [especially with intermediaries] is often not in 'misconceptions' but in ignoring 'conceptions' that they should know as supposed professionals. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Depending on the client, of course. | Jul 23 |
"What is your best rate?" 😂
Probably one of the most common questions.
But the real question should be: "What level of expertise, quality and responsibility does this project require?"
Translation is not just about words; it is about knowledge, training, experience, specialization, judgement and accountability.
A good translation requires much more than linguistic skills.
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texjax DDS PhD 
Local time: 19:01
Membro (2006)
Inglês para Italiano
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• Editing and proofreading are synonyms. 🙄
• Higher volume = lower rate
• Translation is just replacing words from one language with words from another.
• A native speaker can automatically translate professionally.
• A rush job should cost the same as a standard-deadline project.
• A translation can be evaluated simply by comparing it word for word with the source.
• The translator can start working without seeing the full file or... See more • Editing and proofreading are synonyms. 🙄
• Higher volume = lower rate
• Translation is just replacing words from one language with words from another.
• A native speaker can automatically translate professionally.
• A rush job should cost the same as a standard-deadline project.
• A translation can be evaluated simply by comparing it word for word with the source.
• The translator can start working without seeing the full file or having access to the necessary context, references, screenshots, or figures.
• Minor changes to the source text don't require additional work.
• AI or machine translation makes human expertise unnecessary.
[Edited at 2026-07-23 14:01 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | What is your rate for translation? | 04:35 |
If I had to pick one (as the question asks), it would be "One-size-fits-all rates."
I get tired of being asked my rate without being told anything about the source text. As if translating a driving licence is the same as translating a medical research paper.
Actually, I don't get tired any more, because nobody is asking. But I used to get tired of that.
| | | | William Bowley
Reino Unido
Local time: 00:01
Espanhol para Inglês
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expressisverbis wrote:
"What is your best rate?" 😂
Absolutely. "What is your rate that is best for us?"
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William Bowley wrote:
expressisverbis wrote:
"What is your best rate?" 😂
Absolutely. "What is your rate that is best for us?"
It is almost always implied that the "best rate" is the one that is best for the client, not for the translator.
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Michael Newton
Estados Unidos da América
Local time: 19:01
Japonês para Inglês
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They ask themselves: "Hmm, how low will they go?"
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