Contacting agency with test-related question Thread poster: Daniel McCartney
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Hi all,
I'm completing a test translation for an agency. One of the sentences appears to have a typo that makes its meaning ambiguous. I'm not sure whether it would be appropriate to ask my contact at the agency to clarify whether this is an error, and if so, whether it is included intentionally.
Does anyone else have experience with this sort of situation? Thanks much in advance.
| | | | Zhihua Liu
China
Local time: 20:12
English to Chinese
+ ...
| Sure, why not? | Apr 12, 2014 |
I've encountered such cases a few times, and I think to communicate promptly is always the right solution.
If the agency is responsible and cares for its end client, your confirmation would be welcomed, also encouraged.
Just think: what the end client wants is not an ambiguous but a clear description, as it is this that adds to the value of product.
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Yes, of course ask your customer, but make sure you offer the customer an explanation of the problem and the possible interpretations and let your customer pick one.
Just as a general note: It would be different if you wanted to ask about very many decisions (Should I translate the name of this association? Should I translate the positions of the people in the company? Should I translate the name of this or that act?, etc. etc.). Customers need translators who can make decisions and... See more Yes, of course ask your customer, but make sure you offer the customer an explanation of the problem and the possible interpretations and let your customer pick one.
Just as a general note: It would be different if you wanted to ask about very many decisions (Should I translate the name of this association? Should I translate the positions of the people in the company? Should I translate the name of this or that act?, etc. etc.). Customers need translators who can make decisions and solve problems proactively and dislike translators who ask too much. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kay Denney 
France
Local time: 14:12
French to English
| Agree with Tomás | Apr 12, 2014 |
Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:
Yes, of course ask your customer, but make sure you offer the customer an explanation of the problem and the possible interpretations and let your customer pick one.
Just as a general note: It would be different if you wanted to ask about very many decisions (Should I translate the name of this association? Should I translate the positions of the people in the company? Should I translate the name of this or that act?, etc. etc.). Customers need translators who can make decisions and solve problems proactively and dislike translators who ask too much.
Exactly!
You're being tested to see how you would manage if you were sent a translation in normal working conditions. So if normally you would ask the PM for clarification, that's what you need to do now.
It may be, because of the test context, that no clarification will be forthcoming, so you do need to show that you'd be able to come up with something at least, even if it involves a translator's note.
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Emma Goldsmith
Spain
Local time: 14:12
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
I wouldn't contact the agency. Just add a comment in the test to explain what you've mentioned here. You could also say that under normal work conditions you would ask the agency for clarification before delivery.
I've marked quite a few translation tests for agencies and translators who add one or two carefully worded comments show that they are aware of potential issues. As Tomás says, a flood of comments probably shows just the opposite.
| | | | Daniel McCartney
United States
Local time: 07:12
French to English
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TOPIC STARTER
Thanks for the input. Given that this is a test and the agency wants to move forward quickly, I'm sticking to the comment within the translation. If this were an actual translation, I wouldn't have any qualms about contacting the agency.
As a follow-up question, Emma, what would constitute too many notes to the graders? There are a few similar areas within the source, some more salient than others. I'm marking this one, but would one or two more in a test of about 200 words be unre... See more Thanks for the input. Given that this is a test and the agency wants to move forward quickly, I'm sticking to the comment within the translation. If this were an actual translation, I wouldn't have any qualms about contacting the agency.
As a follow-up question, Emma, what would constitute too many notes to the graders? There are a few similar areas within the source, some more salient than others. I'm marking this one, but would one or two more in a test of about 200 words be unreasonable, in your experience? ▲ Collapse
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Daniel McCartney wrote:
I'm not sure whether it would be appropriate to ask my contact at the agency to clarify whether this is an error, and if so, whether it is included intentionally.
Does anyone else have experience with this sort of situation? Thanks much in advance.
If this is a TEST, this is a test....
They want to see what would you do if the same problem is met in a prospective actual project....
I would consider this as an intentional situation to test you and your behaviour
| | | | Sebastian Witte
Germany
Local time: 14:12
Member (2004)
English to German
+ ...
| I'm almost sure they do not want you to contact them about it or make a translator's note ... | Apr 13, 2014 |
... but just come up with something in the target text that s h o u l d (as per human discretion, that is) probably make sense in the context. They're testing your context-guessing and fuzzy logic skills, your ability to improvise and your general survival skills.
Unless it's an extremely disorganized agency, this is guaranteed to be intentional to see whether you're still a problem-solver once the road gets bumpy and are able to think out of the box without involving the end custom... See more ... but just come up with something in the target text that s h o u l d (as per human discretion, that is) probably make sense in the context. They're testing your context-guessing and fuzzy logic skills, your ability to improvise and your general survival skills.
Unless it's an extremely disorganized agency, this is guaranteed to be intentional to see whether you're still a problem-solver once the road gets bumpy and are able to think out of the box without involving the end customer.
I'm totally with Sergei on the matter. ▲ Collapse
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