[Two butterflies in a meadow*]
The singly most discussed issue with and between translators is how much
to charge for a translation. I suppose
that is true for many other service providers. The obvious but irrelevant
answer is as much or as little as possible, depending on whether the party is
the provider or purchaser. The main problem is the exact manner of establishing
that rate. Also, this approach often leads to short term business relations if
the price is unrealistic in the long term. On a more scientific basis, many theories
exist but don’t actually apply to the setting of translation services. Therefore,
I will suggest a simple but potentially emotionally unsatisfying way of
establishing the value of translation.
[Supply and demand graph]
Learned economists would tell us that market price is determined by
identifying the intersection point between the supply and demand lines on a
graph, a visually pleasing solution. To
be fair, these same economists also mention in the small print that these
graphs are relevant only when all parties have full knowledge of this supply
and demand as well as the current state of sales. For example, if I want to buy
a certain power drill, I can check the prices at all local stores selling that
product and choose the least expensive option. If a store fails to move its
inventory, its price is too high. Please note that all the prices are posted,
the product is identical in all stores and the number of power saws available
can be determined by checking inventory. None of these factors is true in
translation. Translators have no idea nor does in many cases the law allow them
to discover prices. No translation is identical in style or quality. As an
Internet service, the number of competing translators is indeterminate. Even if
it was possible to identify the magic rate, it would change in a short time,
which is what actual rates do not even do when there are universally available
changes in currency exchanges rate. Therefore, the graph is charming but
useless.
[Cost + Profit = Selling Price]
A simpler manner of establishing prices is the “cost plus” method. In
this, the supplier determines the total cost of providing the good or service
and adds a profit factor. Back to our power drill, taking into account the cost
of purchasing the drills and additional costs, which include rent, insurance,
theft and payroll, the merchant establishes the minimum worthwhile price to
sell the product, at least in theory. Again, this idea sound reasonable but is not
usually practical. Even in regards to physical products, most merchants cannot
really ascertain how much the additional factors should impact the price. As
for services, no product needs to be purchased to provide a specific service
nor is the quantity and volume predictable in the least. The best a service
provider can do is to calculate minimum income to pay to keep a roof over their
head and food in the fridge. Even with this information, it is impossible to
establish the price for a translation or other service.
[Crocheted orchid]
(C) All rights reserved Tzviya Levin Rifkind
Just for intellectual exercise and purity, it is worth considering Marx
and Engel’s approach. They stated that the value of a product and, by extension,
a service, is the measure of the value inputted by the worker. As an example, a
given translator with 20 years’ experience and specializing in financial
translation provides a brilliant German version of a French annual report. The
value of the worker’s contribution in terms of knowledge and effort is immense
and should be fully rewarded, at least according to those fine gentlemen. The purchasing company probably won’t be
willing to pay that amount regardless of the translator’s background or effort.
To illustrate, my wife crocheted an orchid for her daughter’s wedding. It took
hundreds of hours of work and all her skill. If she were to sell it, according
to Marxist theory, she should get a princely amount. Alas, regardless of how
beautiful and special it is, the chances of her getting that price are very
close to zero. Unfortunately, skill and effort are important but not
determining.
[Bell curve]
For those without extraordinary skill or knowledge, the bell curve seems
to provide a relevant guide. These service providers should set the price based
on the most common rate in the subject and physical area, rendering them
competitive with most potential customers. Unfortunately, translation is not a
physical good and is, consequently, not limited to a given physical area.
Through the Internet, translators from all over the world as well as low-cost international
agencies can and do compete for the same customers. The playing ground is not
even as the cost of living can significantly differ from place to place,
allowing some to lower their rates to below the living costs of others. Not
only that, the customer may not be to ascertain nor care about the quality of
the translation. The service purchsers themselves are based in a wide variety
of countries, each with its own economic reality. The business environment in Egypt
and Germany is extremely different. Therefore, rendering the Bell Curve
irrelevant.
[Two hands - two worlds]
An analysis that is much easier to implement and subjective
than those mentioned above is that the best price is that in which both the service provider
and customer are satisfied. If the translator or other service provider earns enough money to feel
properly rewarded, however much that is, while the customer receives value,
however it defines it, both parties gain in terms of stability, energy
efficiency and results. The calculation
of the relevant factors will naturally vary. The price is established by direct
negotiation with each side considering its situation. There is no requirement
for expensive and time-consuming market research nor is any amount set in stone
as the rate can be renegotiated as circumstances require. For example, if the
transaltor is not paying bills or the purchaser needs to cut costs, the rates
eventually change. In practice, this is
how most rates are set.
This approach requires a sometimes difficult emotional acceptance that others may be attaining
higher or lower rates, even significantly so. In a sense, it is “autistic” in
that it filters external reality. On the other hand, this mutual agreement
creates its own reality in that it is possible to reach a mutually acceptable situation
with some partners but not with others. It is clear that those in the “the
more, the better” school will not adopt this approach. To drag Voltaire into the
discussion, I tend to stand with Candide, who said that il faut cultiver son jardin.
* Always include a caption below pictures to allow blind readers to also enjoy.
