TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
It is true that the translator has usually a better basis for the cost
estimate.
But still, does that put the translator on the level of a greengrocer?
To me, the way the translator gets paid for the work sends a message about
the attitude towards the translator's work. Maybe I have too much
professional pride, but as a translator, I do resent being on the same
level as a painter in a paintshop (here, you have 300 boxes, paint them
green!).
Just another Zweiräppler
Max Wyss
PRODOK Engineering AG
Technical documentation and translations, Electronic Publishing
CH-8906 Bonstetten, Switzerland
Fax: +41 1 700 20 37
e-mail: mailto:prodok -at- prodok -dot- ch or 100012 -dot- 44 -at- compuserve -dot- com
Bridging the Knowledge Gap ...
... with Acrobat Forms ... now for belt drive designers at
> This makes me wonder about the reason to be of the translator?
> Doesn't the translator bring ideas, concepts, content from one
> container (culture) to another? On the other hand, isn't this the
> same the writer does?
>
>For the most part, no, it isn't. There is a difference between adaptation
>and creation. Even if you want to get really nebulous and say the TW is
>adapting from the engineer's, there's still a significant difference
>between the two tasks.
>
>But take a closer look at it. Think of the writing as being done by a
>contract writer, so that we can compare apples to apples. Writers are paid
>by the amount of work that goes in to the manual. We make guesses based on
>experience and on what can be discovered as to how much work will be
>required, and bid accordingly.
>
>The translator, OTOH, has a much better idea of how much work will be
>involved, as the general shape of the job is sitting right there on the
>table. After all, the idea is to translate an existing work, not to create
>a new one. So rather than have to reinvent the wheel, the translator can be
>paid based on the size of the original work and still be compensation
>related to the amount of work; as a general rule the longer the manual the
>more work for the translator, right?
>
>
>Have fun,
>Arlen
>Chief Managing Director In Charge, Department of Redundancy Department
>DNRC 224
>
>Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- Com
