Translation as a Profession (Benjamins Translation Library)

58 Translation as a ProfessionThe prior recruitment of future or potential translators (and of any otheroperators) is based on the services they can offer, on their strong points, ontheir professional record, on their references, and more often than not, on thebasis of the results of translation tests.Pre-recruited translators may be ‘accredited’ for certain types of jobsrequiring specific qualifications or qualities, as for instance, if the material isparticularly sensitive or confidential.1.2 Once the translation ‘requirement’ has been identified6. The work provider opens a job file and a job account, which will include allthe information relating to the job in hand.Simultaneously,7. In cases where the reviser is commissioned to work on behalf of the workprovider, the former will open the job file and/or account prior to startingwork on the job.8. The work provider specifies the nature of the job in hand, describing thesource material (type, subject area, volume, source language, etc.) and therequirements for completion of the translation task. This entails setting abudget and deadlines and defining specific demands and requirements ascompletely and precisely as possible. In the best case scenario, this may meanwriting down fully comprehensive specifications for the job.When circumstances allow, the work provider sets dates for part deliveriesin addition to the final delivery date.If the work provider has decided to split the job into batches and allot thebatches to different operators, a schedule for delivery of the batches has to beset-up. If the requirement for translation is in any way related to any otherservice provision concerning the material to be translated or any material inthe same family, this must be made known to anyone concerned, so that eachoperator is aware of possible harmonisation and deadline problems (to allowthedifferentbatchestobesynchronised).9. Having defined the requirements for the job, the work provider may either:– delegate the project management to a sub-contractor (possibly includingthe selection of the operators required for the job),– recall operators (translators and proof-readers and/or revisers) who havealready done work for him,– call up the operators that he has recruited or selected in advance,– start looking for the operators required for the job (either to short-list themor to commission them for the job).