How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Translator?

[Petra R]

You'd think Upwork might have found a translator or someone who knows something about translation to write that drivel...

[Simone L]

---

Annette E wrote:

Is Upwork lending a helping hand in keeping fees down and creating wrong expectations for clients?

---

Yes.

(And instead of providing the necessary tools for more professional client/freelancer communication to manage expectations, they will charge the translator via Connects whenever a less informed client doesn't provide essential information or has unrealistic expectations that would require a quick Q&A before submitting a proposal (just lost 6 Connects).)

[Sergio S]

I can't believe they are doing that. I am not even a translator but I spot easily lots of mistakes in material that goes through machines. It's laughable in most cases.

By the way, since when Japanese is a popular language? Upwork, are you kidding?

[Jennifer R]

---

Sergio S wrote:

I can't believe they are doing that. I am not even a translator but I spot easily lots of mistakes in material that goes through machines. It's laughable in most cases.

By the way, since when Japanese is a popular language? Upwork, are you kidding?

---

Only as a target language. Who cares about the source language.

[Annette E]

Translation

Getting it Right

"What about translation software? If you’re pressed for time and want to get the gist of something for your own use (in-bound), translation software may be helpful. It is certainly fast. And you can’t get much cheaper than free. But as a general rule of thumb, don’t use raw computer output for anything out-bound without the express agreement of your clients. It’s simply not suitable: you run the risk of looking inarticulate. Even stupid. Careful editing of machine output by skilled human translators is one option, although not all translators will accept such assignments. Many insist texts generated by computer programs are so skewed that it’s faster to start from scratch."

[Michael S]

---

Sergio S wrote:

I can't believe they are doing that. I am not even a translator but I spot easily lots of mistakes in material that goes through machines. It's laughable in most cases.

By the way, since when Japanese is a popular language? Upwork, are you kidding?

---

I think they're estimating popularity based on the size of the country's economy. And Japan is one of the largest economies in the world.

And while I doubt it figures into their estimation since it was already written, there's probably a sizeable uptick due to the Olympics being in Tokyo this year.

[Vladimir G]

Hi Annette,

Thanks for sharing the article. I'll follow up with the team to review the points you raised and check if we need to update the article.

To address one of the concerns shared on the thread, I'd just like to note that this article was posted almost two years ago, which doesn't affect the valid points you (participants on this thread) raised as successful professionals from the field in question. We'll follow up with an update once we receive an update from our team.