Unpaid translation work

[Sarah Hurst]

Dear Cori,

By that logic any enterprise under the sun could be considered a good cause
that people should "sacrifice" for. Maybe SS will find some translators who
think this cause is so worthy that it's worth volunteering for... I'd rather
support the "good cause" of providing useful, quality translations and
earning money to feed myself and my family at the same time.

Also, I'm curious about your comment that the editor won't be focused on
issues of style. I'm currently editing the translation of a Russian book and
spending weeks getting the style right as well as the content. Why is style
not considered important in this project?

Sarah Hurst

-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list
[mailto:SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Cori Weiner
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2011 5:08 AM
To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Subject: Re: [SEELANGS] Unpaid translation work

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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------
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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