| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Charge by source or target word count? Thread poster: Harvey Beasley
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Heinrich Pesch 
Finland
Local time: 02:47
Member (2003)
Finnish to German
+ ...
| Same problem with Finnish | Mar 19, 2007 |
Like Turkish the Finnish words are long but cover more. I cannot manage to deliver German texts shorter than 1.1 times the Finnisch character count, and the wordcount is about 1.35 times.
And I have seen Finnish translations from specialists in the field which are up to 30 percent shorter than German texts.
And very few outsourcers accept decent word-rates on the basis of a Finnish word count, because the figure makes them shudder. Fortunately even nowadays there are people who have ... See more Like Turkish the Finnish words are long but cover more. I cannot manage to deliver German texts shorter than 1.1 times the Finnisch character count, and the wordcount is about 1.35 times.
And I have seen Finnish translations from specialists in the field which are up to 30 percent shorter than German texts.
And very few outsourcers accept decent word-rates on the basis of a Finnish word count, because the figure makes them shudder. Fortunately even nowadays there are people who have some understandig of arithmetics and know that 20 cents for a Finnish word is not more expensive than 12 cents for an English word.
Cheers
Heinrich ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Be kind and charge by source word count | Mar 29, 2007 |
Being a project manager for 10 years now at different translation companies, I can tell you that in the last 9 of those years, I've been dealing with only source words (whether it's word count, line count, or page counts) in billing the clients and buying translations from vendors.
In some cases, you must use target word count and that is when translating from a hard copy document, fax, or PDF where you cannot get the text out to another program.
From a project manage... See more Being a project manager for 10 years now at different translation companies, I can tell you that in the last 9 of those years, I've been dealing with only source words (whether it's word count, line count, or page counts) in billing the clients and buying translations from vendors.
In some cases, you must use target word count and that is when translating from a hard copy document, fax, or PDF where you cannot get the text out to another program.
From a project managers point of view, I would love to see all translators to charge by source words. Especially if you are a new potential vendor, you will have a hard time getting into companies books if you are unwilling to bill according to source words. In fact, in companies where I've been working you wouldn't get in. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Charging by source is the most ideal and fairest to both client and translator | Mar 3, 2019 |
I have been in the business for over 25 years, and I have learned that charging on the basis of source word count is the best and fairest to both sides. I have never had a problem in convincing my client that it is the best choice. Why? Because, when you estimate the source word count in advance, and give the client a fixed quote, you are in advance telling them what to expect, which makes it easier for them to agree or not. If I tell the client that I will know what they will pay after the job ... See more I have been in the business for over 25 years, and I have learned that charging on the basis of source word count is the best and fairest to both sides. I have never had a problem in convincing my client that it is the best choice. Why? Because, when you estimate the source word count in advance, and give the client a fixed quote, you are in advance telling them what to expect, which makes it easier for them to agree or not. If I tell the client that I will know what they will pay after the job is done, depending on the final word count or hours spent, I am leaving them worried and unsure of what to expect. I choose what would make me comfortable as a client: No hidden expenses or unpleasant surprises. My clients are always grateful.
Regarding charging for translation services on hourly basis. I personally would never accept it, neither as a vendor nor as a client, because I know, from working with all kinds of translators, that some translators can do 2000 words in 4 hours, while others can take more than 8 hours to finish 500 words. Putting myself in my client's shoes, I ask: Why would I, as a client, keep my final cost left in the hands of my service provider?
In other words, my advice to all translators is study the material you are asked to translate carefully, give your quote based on the estimated source word count, and stick to it [even though it will sometimes mean you are undercharging]. Your clients would love dealing with you and will never doubt your honesty. ▲ Collapse
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