A discussion about translation services, translators, and translation software

I urge all readers to see the excellent, sapient, well-reasoned comment by Ahn-Chi of LocalConcept.com to my most recent post.  I wish I had written it.  He works as a translator for a translation service agency and speaks from the company perspective.  What he says is completely true.  A good translation services firm will cost more than a freelancer because of "overhead", for lack of a better word.  And we're not just talking about ulitities and rent.  Good firms will stake their reputations and survival on the quality of their translators, their speed of delivery, and the cleanliness of their business dealings.  They'll meet deadlines, ensure quality, and pay translators promptly.

Clients can get lower prices by contacting freelancers directly, but they can't be assured of quality until a positive working relationship is established.  Even then, there's only so much work a single freelancer can do.  Let's say a firm has been planning to set up shop in another country and so has used a freelancer to handle some early correspondence and a few product brochures.  Everything goes well, a factory is built, and before production can begin in the new language area, a ton of things need to be translated: employee handbooks, employment contracts, catalogs, advertisements, not to mention scripts for television and radio ads, with all the necessary attention to cultural mores and taboos.  The freelancer can't handle the load.  Now who does the firm turn to?  More untried and untested freelancers?  Or a reputable translation agency with a long roster or proven translators, plus the financial strength to arm them all with the latest machine-assisted translation tools and train them?

There is room in the industry for all kinds and sizes of translators and translation services.  There just isn't room for poor quality work or scam artists.