If you have been in the freelance translation business for a while, there are great chances that you have dealt with different clients. Some may have been easy to work with while others have probably made you seriously consider going back to your office work. Have you met your ideal translation client so far? And, what is even a more interesting question: Is there an ideal translation client?
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You can ask these questions to any freelance translator and you will probably receive as many answers as professionals you include in your survey. However, there are some characteristics that all ideal translation clients probably share:
The translation client that every freelance translator probably wants to work with is the one that offers you translation jobs that are within your main areas of expertise or topics that are interesting reading about.
These ideal clients also have a deep understanding of what translating a text implies. They know that being bilingual is not enough; that it takes knowing the target language in depth, and that it is not done word by word. Ideal clients know that translating a text properly is a detailed work, that implies reading the original document in order to make sure it is well understood and then finding the right words to convey the exact message that the author intended. Thus, they are confident in the translator’s job and they trust that any change done in the wording or structure of a sentence is not a translator’s tantrum but something done for the sake of the translated document.
When ideal clients offer translators a project, they know that their translation is just one of many the translator is responsible for. Therefore, they don’t expect it to be ready in unrealistic times. Instead, they expect to receive a high-quality translation. They understand that, at times, unexpected delays may occur and they are flexible enough to give the freelance translator some more time to finish the job.
An ideal translation client understands that translators need to be well paid for their job and on time. They put a lot of effort in it and need to be compensated accordingly. The ideal client is convinced that this is the only way of ensuring the quality of the translated text and that the translator trains himself in any skill he considers important or necessary and updates the software and hardware he works with.
Every translator wants to work with a client who is so pleased with the translated document that he is happy to recommend the translator or even include his name on the translation, thus acknowledging his valuable contribution.
What about you? What is your ideal translation client? Have you had the chance of working with a client that has made you embrace your profession strongly or more passionately? What are those little gestures that you appreciate the most from a client?
