What's the point of doing a translation test?
I have hardly ever made any money out of being tested, and my own policy is that I do not have the time neither do I have the inclination, so this is my advice to other colleague translators:
- When someone sends you a test, before accepting to do it, advise them that you wish to be paid for it. Even if a test is a few lines long, I will expect to be paid for the time, effort and research I will have put into it.
- If the test is more than one paragraph of 3 or 4 sentences, be very wary of doing business with this agency. Nine times out of ten it is a 'fly by night' agency attempting to get 'freebies' out of you by sending two or three page tests which could in fact be the full text of the translation that they are being paid for by a client! (Some even have the gall of asking you to do tests, then still try to haggle with you over the price of the translation!)
- When I was still 'wet behind the ears' in this business, I did often do tests but somehow found it puzzling to get negative feedback even in my fields of expertise. Do not let this deflate your confidence, in fact, who knows how these tests are being 'marked' and who is doing the 'marking'. I myself have 'marked' tests done by other translators and I have really prayed about being objective because it is difficult not to criticize the work of others – if someone reverts to you with negative feedback, make sure that you have an understanding of why, what criteria were used in marking the text, as well as a copy of the document in track change mode indicating what was edited in the translation test.
- My experience as a translator should speak for me, and not my performance in a test. Therefore I keep a file of sample translations handy (always respecting client confidentiality) which I give to prospective clients.
- Ask yourself what is in it for you. How will you benefit from dealing with this agency? Have they explained why a test is required?
Make sure you do your research on the agency as well, as it is important to know if they are genuine or not.
In this business, there is often little time to be wasted by participating in tests which often do not bring in the expected 'fruit' of a new collaboration relationship. Until now, I do not understand what is the point of a translation test, unless it is in the context of a college or university course, for which I will be awarded a certificate of recognition for my effort and expertise!
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