Poll: My lowest rate per source word is: Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "My lowest rate per source word is:".
View the poll results »
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It depends on the language pair. My lowest rate per source word for ES/PT is 0.095€, for FR/PT and IT/PT is 0.10€ and for EN/PT is 0.12€.
| | | | Samuel Murray 
Netherlands
Local time: 12:02
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida wrote:
It depends on the language pair.
I have only one language pair, but for me it depends to a large extent on the location of the client.
| | | | | Offering discount with massive amount. | Apr 17 |
Some translation company ask us to discount the rate just because there is a million of words to translate.
I have no idea what makes them say that.
We cannot upgrade our translation speed. Discounts just lower our income even they insists that it reduces the time of looking for next tasks.
[Edited at 2024-04-17 23:29 GMT]
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Luiza Tinetti
United States
Local time: 05:02
English to Portuguese
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| Why would the location determine your rate? | Apr 18 |
Samuel Murray wrote: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida wrote:
It depends on the language pair. I have only one language pair, but for me it depends to a large extent on the location of the client.
Forgive me, I'm only starting in the translation career, but why would that matter and how low or high would you go to where? If you're willing to share some examples.
| | | | Zea_Mays
Italy
Local time: 12:02
Member (2009)
English to German
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| question makes no sense | Apr 18 |
Rates differ depending on language combination and location, so it makes no sense asking for rates on a general basis.
| | | | Hayley Wakenshaw
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:02
Member (2018)
Dutch to English
The lowest I’ve gone was 6.5 euro cents a word. But that was for book translation, and that low rate was completely worth it to have four high-profile books in my portfolio.
| | | | Iulia Parvu
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:02
Member (2022)
English to Romanian
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I'd say that, on top of what everyone else said, price should also be based on experience. If you're (relatively) new to freelancing, you cannot expect to earn as much as the "veterans".
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Kristin Kamm
United States
Local time: 06:02
Member (2010)
French to English
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| Disheartening to see | Apr 18 |
While I agree with another person's comments that rates should be based on experience (I have over a decade's worth translating and nearly 2 decades in the industry), I find it disheartening to see that people are willing to work for 4-5 cents per word. I understand that so many factors go into setting rates (language pair, where you live and the corresponding cost of living, salary expectations, etc.), but the acceptance of unprofessional rates drags rates down across the board. If people seeki... See more While I agree with another person's comments that rates should be based on experience (I have over a decade's worth translating and nearly 2 decades in the industry), I find it disheartening to see that people are willing to work for 4-5 cents per word. I understand that so many factors go into setting rates (language pair, where you live and the corresponding cost of living, salary expectations, etc.), but the acceptance of unprofessional rates drags rates down across the board. If people seeking translation work didn't expect to receive work for pennies on the dollar, they wouldn't try to get people to accept those rates. I wish we could all demand professional rates and lift our collective well-being. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Zea_Mays
Italy
Local time: 12:02
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
| why the question makes no sense | Apr 18 |
Kristin Kamm wrote:
I find it disheartening to see that people are willing to work for 4-5 cents per word. I understand that so many factors go into setting rates (language pair, where you live and the corresponding cost of living, salary expectations, etc.), but the acceptance of unprofessional rates drags rates down across the board.
There are countries where 4-5 cents (of USD) are a decent and professional rate, while in other countries they are not.
| | | | Nilton Junior
Brazil
Local time: 11:02
Member (2009)
English to Portuguese
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In addition to what others have said, this poll is not helpful without a stated currency. Even if you only consider USD, EUR and GBP, the exchange rate alone is enough to bump you up or down a bracket.
| | | | Ana Vozone
Local time: 11:02
Member (2010)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| As strange as it may seem, | Apr 18 |
Yoshitaka MURAOKA wrote:
Some translation company ask us to discount the rate just because there is a million of words to translate.
I have no idea what makes them say that.
We cannot upgrade our translation speed. Discounts just lower our income even they insists that it reduces the time of looking for next tasks.
[Edited at 2024-04-17 23:29 GMT]
I don't offer discounts on large volumes, on the contrary, I ask for a higher rate. Clients don't understand that if they keep you busy with a huge translation for many days, they are preventing you from accepting smaller jobs from regular clients, many of which are minimum charges for which, in my case, I usuallly charge 40 euros. And if I decline a small job from a regular client, the regular client will find someone else to do the translation.
I must confess that I enjoy variety, and being stuck with the same text for days without end is definitely not my cup of tea... Variety is (my) spice of life.
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| There should be no such thing as beginners' rates | Apr 18 |
Rates may vary according to the subject area and a whole lot of other factors. Some may require more specialised translators, and if that is really the case, then perhaps a beginner should not take them on.
But each translation is unique, and it has the same value for the client, whether it is done by a careful, well-trained beginner or someone with experience. Either it is fit for purpose, or it is not. A client cannot use a job that is less than full professional standard. So if y... See more Rates may vary according to the subject area and a whole lot of other factors. Some may require more specialised translators, and if that is really the case, then perhaps a beginner should not take them on.
But each translation is unique, and it has the same value for the client, whether it is done by a careful, well-trained beginner or someone with experience. Either it is fit for purpose, or it is not. A client cannot use a job that is less than full professional standard. So if you take a job, you should charge a full rate for it.
A beginner may need to spend more time on research etc. and work more slowly, and may not be able to take on the more demanding - and potentially better paid - jobs, but everyone has to turn down work when they do not know enough about the subject area. ▲ Collapse
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