20 years ago I was paid around £1. a line (55 taps) and I had a computer. Today I'm lucky if I get 40 p. Computer translation hasn't made much headway since Naom Chomsky's famous 'The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak', translated into Russian and back to English - result - 'the vodka's OK, but the meat's a bit off.'
If people want a good translation then they should pay for it - and not expect it to be delivered yesterday.
2007-08-20 01:30:51 · 6 answers · asked by cymry3jones 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
thumbs up! you're totally right and i'm in the same situation as you. it's a shame because we translators really KNOW something and are paid like sh... it's such an interesting job!
2007-08-20 01:44:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the quality of your work.
In the UK, translating from most European languages into English earns between £50 - £75 per 1,000 words. From English into those languages will earn £65 - £80 oer 1,000 words. For specialised subjects you can be paid more.
Scandinavian languages are more expensive.
These are the rates paid by translation agencies. If you work direct for clients then you can charge more. Agencies carry the risk of slow payment and non-payment by clients but they are the principal, as far as the translator is concerned and carries the risks.
With the massive influx of foreigners into the UK there are a lot of unqualified people undertaking the work. But most agencies only use translators who have qualified and have their credentials from the various professional bodies.
For further information look up the Association of Translation Companies.
2007-08-22 19:16:28 · answer #2 · answered by Peter Bro 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know what you mean, i always wanted to be translator until i was told, the chances of getting a job are slim, and it might involve me actually moving half way across the world away from my family and be by this persons side 24/7 to translate.
it is a robot, people know they're not always accurate, so eventually people will become wiser and stop using them, until then, we wait.
2007-08-20 09:10:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I'm sorry but I do find online translators to be really useful.
If all you want is a quick translation then why are you going to bother paying someone to translate it for me?
2007-08-21 19:33:29 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ Mummy ♥ 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There are some very *bad* robot translators out there, but *good* translators are not robots; they're humans.
2007-08-20 19:59:47 · answer #5 · answered by hoptoad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm human!!!
2007-08-20 11:35:20 · answer #6 · answered by harijanti 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋