Pro bono translation work

[Paul B. Gallagher]

Cori Weiner wrote:

> Dear Colleagues,
>
> I am posting this volunteer opportunity on behalf of Abby Giles of
> Social Sphere, a company based in Harvard Square.
>
> Cori Weiner
>
> WE ARE LOOKING FOR INTERESTED ENGLISH-RUSSIAN TRANSLATORS FOR AN
> EXCITING PROJECT, EXPECTED TO LAUNCH IN SEPTEMBER.
>
> As part of the U.S.-Russia dialogue reset, initiated by Presidents
> Obama and Medvedev, SocialSphere, Inc. is setting up a bilingual
> online collaboration platform to help the Mass Media Sub-Working
> Group to exchange views and ideas on specific deliverables, and
> overall, to enhance the US-Russian dialogue.  This closed and
> protected online space will host high-level American and Russian
> Delegates, representing their respective fields of business.
>
> The conference is sponsored by the State Department and the result of
> this online discussion will be presented in Moscow in the fall, with
> extensive media coverage.
>...

As a professional translator, I find this "invitation" highly offensive.

I recognize the importance of U.S.-Russian dialogue, and hope the 
project succeeds in moving our relationship forward. However, this is 
not a case of destitute disaster victims who have nowhere to turn and 
cannot afford to save themselves. Our government has a budget in the 
trillions of dollars (yes, that's "trillions" with a "T"), but as it has 
many times before, it tries to squeeze the language professionals that 
it disrespects. If this were about building missiles or aircraft 
carriers, it would be done on a "cost-plus" basis, and major contractors 
would be fighting tooth and nail for the opportunity to reap the 
windfall. But somehow our services are not valued.

The few thousands (yes, "thousands" with a "T") of dollars that our 
governments save through this false economy cannot compare to the 
millions or even billions our two nations stand to gain by doing it 
right. I urge Ms. Giles to abandon this penny-wise, pound-foolish approach.

-- 
War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
--
Paul B. Gallagher
pbg translations, inc.
"Russian Translations That Read Like Originals"
http://pbg-translations.com

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