Unpaid translation work

[Cori Weiner]

As promised, here is the backstory to the request for pro bono translation work:

The State Department had interest in undertaking a project to improve relations between Russia and the US.  However, as mandated by Congress, it receives only a small percentage of the financial backing required -- which is where Social Sphere comes in.  SS volunteered its own time to take on this project, and they have, in turn, requested that others, including translators, volunteer their time for the greater good as well.  

It's true that what some of you may consider the 'outsourcing' of translation is forcing your field to sacrifice, but it's one of the sacrifices that will help the project roll.  If during the soft launch, they encounter problems along the lines of peregruzka, and if an editor (needed mostly to catch egregious errors rather than issues of style) does not correct them, they may very well decide to pay translators out of their own pocket. 

This is a complicated situation, and I'm only the messenger, but if you would like for me personally to continue this dialogue, I would be happy to off-list. (For the record, Mr. Gallagher, I also feel that the government wrongly undervalues soft power in favor of warfare.)

Cori Weiner

On 27.08.2011, at 10:49, Paul B. Gallagher wrote:

> 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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Cori Weiner
Center for English Language & Orientation Programs
Boston University
phone: 617-353-4870
fax: 617-353-6195
web: www.bu.edu/celop
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CELOP is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program 
Accreditation.  Accreditation by CEA signifies that an English language 
program or institution has met nationally accepted standards of 
excellence and assures students and their sponsors that the English 
language instruction and related services will be of the highest 
quality.

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