Question: Translation Agency Basics? Thread poster: bdhamilton (X)
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bdhamilton (X)
English to Spanish
I\'m a student in an Introduction to Technical Translation class, and we\'re working on \"creating\" a translation agency and bidding on a mock project to learn more about the industry as a whole. Over the next week or so, we have to write up a bid/proposal for the mock project that\'s been presented. We\'re running into a few basic questions:
(1) What are some of the first things that we, as an agency, need to find out about the client and about the project? What should ... See more I\'m a student in an Introduction to Technical Translation class, and we\'re working on \"creating\" a translation agency and bidding on a mock project to learn more about the industry as a whole. Over the next week or so, we have to write up a bid/proposal for the mock project that\'s been presented. We\'re running into a few basic questions:
(1) What are some of the first things that we, as an agency, need to find out about the client and about the project? What should we know before going any further?
(2) What kind of structure does a translation agency usually have? What are the three main roles that an agency can\'t do without?
(3) Maybe most importantly, how do you figure out what to charge? We need to give a quote for the localization of a Web site from English into three different languages: Japanese, French, and Spanish. How do you decide what to charge?
Any suggestions or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Williamson 
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:10
Flemish to English
+ ...
| An attempt to give an answer... | Mar 24, 2003 |
1) What are some of the first things that we, as an agency, need to find out about the client and about the project? What should we know before going any further?
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The budget the client is willing to spend on the translation.
How creditworthy is your customer?
What exactly does the client expect with regard to lay-out and terminology.
Does the client supplies terminology.
(2) What kind of structure does a translation agen... See more 1) What are some of the first things that we, as an agency, need to find out about the client and about the project? What should we know before going any further?
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The budget the client is willing to spend on the translation.
How creditworthy is your customer?
What exactly does the client expect with regard to lay-out and terminology.
Does the client supplies terminology.
(2) What kind of structure does a translation agency usually have?
The same structure as any corporation: CEO/Mgr, Sales Persons, Project-Mgrs, DTP-people, inhouse IT-specialists.
What are the three main roles that an agency can\'t do without?
Whether the CEO of any well-oiled company stays a day in bed or not, does not make a difference. The core of an agency are the P.M.s, the sales and DTP-people. All other activities can be outfarmed.
(3) Maybe most importantly, how do you figure out what to charge? We need to give a quote for the localization of a Web site from English into three different languages: Japanese, French, and Spanish. How do you decide what to charge?
Depends on who the customer is and in which target-market the company is situated and what value is attributed to the activity of \"translation\". Would charge a higher price for Japanese and French and a somewhat lower for Spanish. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Key things you need to know about a translation in advance..... | Mar 24, 2003 |
What is the subject area? (no use taking on a medical translation if your agency specializes in finance)
In which format will the files be supplied?(to make sure that the freelance translators you use can handle this format)
What languages/language variants (e.g. UK/US English)are needed?
Will the client supply terminology?
What is the intended audience of the translation? Is it for publication or for informatio... See more What is the subject area? (no use taking on a medical translation if your agency specializes in finance)
In which format will the files be supplied?(to make sure that the freelance translators you use can handle this format)
What languages/language variants (e.g. UK/US English)are needed?
Will the client supply terminology?
What is the intended audience of the translation? Is it for publication or for information only (this will affect the degree of \"polish\" put on a translation).
Is post-translation DTP work required?
Just a few points to consider.....
Essential agency employees? The project manager, the proof reader, and (perhaps) a DTP specialist.
Pricing? Search the Web. Phone up agencies and pretend to be either a customer or a translator depending on what information you\'re after..... 
HTH
Alison ▲ Collapse
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