Why a Free Online Translator Can Be a Bad Idea

[andycancun]

Friends, I just finished doing a voiceover for someone who does not speak or understand Spanish, yet they ordered a gig and provided a script in something almost resembles Spanish. What I received was something where some sort of online translator (like Google Translate) was used to literally translate from English to Spanish. It is gibberish.

I’m sure many of you offer services in languages other than your own, which is fine. If you do, and if you care about giving your client a quality product, PLEASE PAY FOR PROPER TRANSLATING SERVICES, or at the very minimum, pay for proofreading of the text. At some point your client is going to find out that what you gave them in that language is very low quality and they will never hire you again.

As for me, I can’t exactly turn down a job, can I? And if you’re wondering if I offered to proofread the client’s script, I did. But the translation was so poor I needed the original in English, and the client was nowhere to be found. In the interests of keeping my 100% on-time delivery, I had to record a substandard product. My buyer probably won’t care, but if you want a lasting business, spend the money to get the best product you can.

UPDATE: I found the client. There is NO BUDGET for the translation. Friends, instead of just ordering a gig and hoping for the best, do the best for yourselves and your end-client, and get the best work you can.

We all will make more money in the end if you do. And if you say you don’t have the budget to do so, perhaps you should re-evaluate your prices or your place here. As we say here in Mexico, “maybe your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” Take on the work you can guarantee.

I wish you all much success and appreciate the chance to vent a little…

Cheers form Cancun!

Andy

[somaginer1996]

Yes.
Google translate can work for finding specific words, or alternatives (I basically use it like a synonym machine), but if you’re trying to input whole texts it turns everything into incoherent garbage.
Sure, it’s free. But it won’t be worth it in the end because you’ll look very dumb, trying to speak gibberish to people in a certain language. If you’re going to do that, why even provide translations at all?

[andycancun]

Yes.

Google translate can work for finding specific words, or alternatives (I basically use it like a synonym machine), but if you’re trying to input whole texts it turns everything into incoherent garbage.

Sure, it’s free. But it won’t be worth it in the end because you’ll look very dumb, trying to speak gibberish to people in a certain language. If you’re going to do that, why even provide translations at all?

Because they think they can get away with it…and they figure the meaning is still the same. But we know it isn’t. It’s why I offer proofreading and translation for the gigs I voice (at an extra charge, of course).

cheers from Cancun!

Andy

[somaginer1996]

Because they think they can get away with it…and they figure the meaning is still the same. But we know it isn’t. It’s why I offer proofreading and translation for the gigs I voice (at an extra charge, of course).

cheers from Cancun!

Andy

It’s so frustrating 😕 I feel like I rant about this too much…

[andycancun]

It’s so frustrating 😕 I feel like I rant about this too much…

As long as you give your best work, just keep doing what you do. We just move forward.

cheers from Cancun!

Andy