The Linguist

@CIOL_Linguists SPRING 2023 The Linguist 9 FEATURES Other reputable translators have taken a bold approach and committed the rare, refreshing, but blasphemous act of advertising their rates on their website for all to see. Advertising one's rates (or providing a summary of ballpark figures) is a growing trend and I am seeing more of this on translator websites, particularly in the US. This breaks taboos and makes you stand out as a professional because so few translators do it. It also means other translators know what you are charging. We can thereby seek to re-evaluate our own rates and gain bargaining power in the negotiation process, not only with direct clients but also with agencies, where we are often squeezed the hardest. Many of the translators at the top of their game (in terms of being able to command large sums) are not afraid of promoting themselves, and set up lucrative courses so that other translators can, perhaps, learn the skills required to generate higher earnings. We shouldn't begrudge them their success; clearly they are doing a few things right. At the same time, we have to acknowledge the realities of working in an oversubscribed profession with a common language pair. The attitude that "you're just not marketing or working as hard as me" isn't helping. Of course, we're not all aiming to be high rollers, and that's ok (many translators are happy with moderate earnings), but I would argue that in being more open with each other about what we charge, we help to combat low earnings and level the playing field within the profession. I would also suggest that charging very low fees puts you and the profession into disrepute and denigrates your own unique skills and abilities. HOW TO DISCLOSE YOUR RATES How can we start to feel more comfortable about discussing money – specifically our money? Initially, I think seasoned translators who are secure in their professional skin could set up more talks, presentations, workshops and courses wherein they not only discuss rates but also disclose their own. In many ways this is already happening, with professional online forums essentially functioning like the office watercooler for freelance translators, helping to normalise the discussion of rates. The less cryptic we are about our own rates, the more translators will know what ballpark figure they can set for the particular specialisation or task at hand. Online courses with such titles as 'How to Raise Your Rates' and 'Negotiating Rates' are starting to appear more frequently. The good thing is that our business is kinder and more open than many. Translators often refer their peers to clients, even when they work in the same language combination/s, and the peer will then often ask the translator making the referral what they charge. Networking as a translator feels more personable and intimate as a result, meaning that our profession facilitates approachability and friendliness. However, while we should encourage more talk about rates among ourselves, the subject should not be open to similar discussions with clients. One of the greatest, yet simplest, tips I've been given is to remain tight-lipped whenever a client starts to quibble about the rate. After you've quoted a fee, stand firm, don't waver, remain quiet and see what happens. People pleasers will often try to justify the rate without realising that it needs no justification. This tactic has worked time and time again for me. THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT Disclosing rates, then, can be done at any time the translator feels comfortable, and can occur both manifestly (e.g. on your own website and in forums) and discreetly (such as during a one-on-one conversation at a conference). But if you don't want to talk about what you charge, it doesn't mean you're not a team player, or that you're letting the side down. I, personally, have not disclosed any rates on my website because I mostly work with agencies and haven't felt the need to do so. I do think that disclosing rates in this way is a great idea to promote, though, so I may make this change in the future. We must remain sensitive to translators who do not want to disclose their rates for whatever reason. They should feel zero compulsion to do so. It should also be made clear from the outset that such discussions are meant to increase awareness and bargaining power among translators, and are not being done for the sake of prying. Over time, I hope that this increased awareness of potential earnings, and the adoption of a more ambitious pricing strategy, will translate (pun intended) into a new reality for translators – i.e. no more working for peanuts! For budding and seasoned translators alike, the future is bright. Our industry is set to grow exponentially on a global scale. 5 What needs to grow alongside this is knowledge about our earning potential. Notes 1 ATC (2019) 'ATC UK Language Industry Survey'; cutt.ly/ATC18 2 Payscale (2022) 'Average Translator Salary in United Kingdom'; 1/10/22; cutt.ly/PayScale 3 Leonhardt, M (2002) '60% of Women Say They've Never Negotiated Their Salary – And Many Quit Their Job Instead'. In CNBC, 31/1/20; cutt.ly/cnbc02 4 McKay, C (2008) 'Secrets of Six-Figure Translators'. In Training for Translators, 12/11/08; cutt.ly/Train4Xlts 5 Ludgrove, L and Lyon, P (2021) 'Seven Translation Trends That are Driving Growth in the Industry.' In The Maverick Group, 22/7/21; cutt.ly/MaverickTrends

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