Translators for NGOs Attila Piróth The Solidarités team of ProZ.com ProZ.com 10th Anniversary International Conference Ohrid, July

Translators Translators for NGOsfor NGOs

Attila PiróthAttila PiróthThe Solidarités team of ProZ.comThe Solidarités team of ProZ.com

www.ProZ.com/team/664www.ProZ.com/team/664

ProZ.com 10th Anniversary International ProZ.com 10th Anniversary International ConferenceConference

Ohrid, July 2009Ohrid, July 2009

July 04, 2009 Attila Piróth – Translators for NGOs 2

OutlineOutline

►Motivation for pro bono workMotivation for pro bono work►WorkflowWorkflow►Pilot projectsPilot projects►ProZ.com’s infrastructureProZ.com’s infrastructure►Future plansFuture plans►Questions and answersQuestions and answers


MotivationMotivationNewbies: Newbies: How to get first references? How to get first references?

Advice: Advice: Consider voluntary workConsider voluntary work

►Voluntary work for an agencyVoluntary work for an agency►Voluntary work with crowdsourcingVoluntary work with crowdsourcing►Voluntary work for individualsVoluntary work for individuals►Voluntary work for governmental bodiesVoluntary work for governmental bodies►Voluntary work for NGOs, humanitarian Voluntary work for NGOs, humanitarian

organizationsorganizations


Motivation – First Motivation – First referencesreferences

►Voluntary work for an agencyVoluntary work for an agency

++: Work may be similar to future (paid) : Work may be similar to future (paid) jobs jobs

––: Would they give you paid work later?: Would they give you paid work later?––: Wouldn’t you take others’ paid work? : Wouldn’t you take others’ paid work? ––: Would it help you improve?: Would it help you improve?––: Could you use it as a reference?: Could you use it as a reference?––: Would other benefits be enough?: Would other benefits be enough?



Crowdsourced voluntary workCrowdsourced voluntary work

►Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)►TED (subtitling, TED (subtitling, http://http://www.ted.comwww.ted.com//))►ProZ.com localizationProZ.com localization►OtherOther



►Crowdsourcing: WikipediaCrowdsourcing: Wikipedia

++: Choice of interesting topics: Choice of interesting topics++: Acceptable reference (add to portfolio): Acceptable reference (add to portfolio)++: Acceptable on-site support : Acceptable on-site support ++: No deadline: No deadline

+/–+/–: Will your work be edited/rewritten?: Will your work be edited/rewritten???: Networking (with other translators)?: Networking (with other translators)?



►CSing: TED (CSing: TED (www.ted.comwww.ted.com) )

++: Choice of interesting topics: Choice of interesting topics++: Learning new skill (subtitling): Learning new skill (subtitling)++: Acceptable reference (add to portfolio): Acceptable reference (add to portfolio)++: No deadline: No deadline

––: Insufficient support: Insufficient support––: Networking with pros: unlikely: Networking with pros: unlikely––: Couldn’t this be paid work?: Couldn’t this be paid work?

http://http://tinyurl.com/jhltinyurl.com/jhl-on-TED-on-TED



►Crowdsourcing: ProZ.comCrowdsourcing: ProZ.com

++: Excellent networking possibility: : Excellent networking possibility: Cooperation with real pros (few Cooperation with real pros (few exceptions)exceptions)

++: Reasonable compensation (visibility, : Reasonable compensation (visibility, reference)reference)

?/–?/–: Couldn’t this be paid work? : Couldn’t this be paid work? (Budget? Quality?)(Budget? Quality?)



►Crowdsourcing: OtherCrowdsourcing: OtherFacebook, LinkedIn, Europass, etc. Facebook, LinkedIn, Europass, etc.

++: Wide choice: Wide choice++: Compensation: high visibility: Compensation: high visibility?/–?/–: Professional networking : Professional networking possibilities?possibilities?

?/–?/–: Not excellent as reference : Not excellent as reference ––: Should be paid work: Should be paid work

http://tinyurl.com/NO-to-CSinghttp://tinyurl.com/NO-to-CSing



►Voluntary work for individualsVoluntary work for individuals

++: Lots of opportunities, often interesting: Lots of opportunities, often interesting

++: What goes around comes around : What goes around comes around (exchange; (exchange; www.proz.comwww.proz.com/exchange/exchange))

?/–?/–: Work for friends – friendly : Work for friends – friendly compensation compensation ?/–?/–: Can be used as a reference? : Can be used as a reference?

?/–?/–: Extra visibility? : Extra visibility?



►Voluntary work for gov’t bodiesVoluntary work for gov’t bodies(National Language Service Corps, (National Language Service Corps, www.nlscorps.orgwww.nlscorps.org))multilingual volunteers who bridge communities, multilingual volunteers who bridge communities, interpreting and translating in time of need interpreting and translating in time of need

++: Noble cause: helping those in need (locally): Noble cause: helping those in need (locally)

?/–?/–: Networking with professionals?: Networking with professionals?

––: USD 19M from DoD for voluntary work framework:: USD 19M from DoD for voluntary work framework:delicate situation w/ paid and unpaid workforce delicate situation w/ paid and unpaid workforce

??: How valuable as reference?: How valuable as reference?



►Voluntary work for NGOsVoluntary work for NGOs

++: Wide choice of noble causes: Wide choice of noble causes

++: Real help; NGO staff would TR (no budget): Real help; NGO staff would TR (no budget)

++: Valuable reference for pro bono work: Valuable reference for pro bono work

??: Networking possibilities?: Networking possibilities???: Learning possibilities? : Learning possibilities?

Depends on framework Depends on framework (workflow+team)(workflow+team)


Best frameworkBest framework►Working in a teamWorking in a team

networking is attractive for established translatorsnetworking is attractive for established translators

►Working with experienced colleaguesWorking with experienced colleaguesmuch like ProZ.com’s mentoring programmuch like ProZ.com’s mentoring program

►Getting feedbackGetting feedbackwithout conflict of interest e.g. between TR and EDwithout conflict of interest e.g. between TR and ED

►Learning new skillsLearning new skills►Having comfortable deadlinesHaving comfortable deadlines►Getting valuable referenceGetting valuable reference


Best frameworkBest frameworkFew paid jobs Few paid jobs

meet these criteriameet these criteria

With sufficient human resources,With sufficient human resources,

a complex workflow is possiblea complex workflow is possible

BECAUSE THERE IS NO BUDGETBECAUSE THERE IS NO BUDGET

Way to learn best practicesWay to learn best practices


WorkflowWorkflow

►Preparation of the materialPreparation of the material►Translation + glossary buildingTranslation + glossary building►EditingEditing►Glossary unificationGlossary unification►Updating translationUpdating translation►Proof-reading Proof-reading ►After deliveryAfter delivery


WorkflowWorkflow

1.1. Preparation of the materialPreparation of the material(esp. if team is large)(esp. if team is large)

► Selecting glossary entries in source docSelecting glossary entries in source docpossibly using term extraction toolpossibly using term extraction tool

► Should be done before distributing the docShould be done before distributing the doc► Requires (2 or more) terminology Requires (2 or more) terminology

managersmanagers


WorkflowWorkflow

2.2. Translation + glossary buildingTranslation + glossary building

► Done by translators getting established Done by translators getting established ► Encouraged to use CAT toolsEncouraged to use CAT tools► Close cooperation with editorClose cooperation with editor► Forum discussion with other team Forum discussion with other team

members members


WorkflowWorkflow

3.3. EditingEditing

► Done by experienced translatorsDone by experienced translatorsATA exam correctors? PRO network?ATA exam correctors? PRO network?

► Detailed feedback to translatorDetailed feedback to translatorlike in mentoring programlike in mentoring program

► Conflict of interests largely eliminatedConflict of interests largely eliminated► EDs get to know the work of several EDs get to know the work of several

TRsTRs facilitating future cooperationfacilitating future cooperation


WorkflowWorkflow

4.4. Glossary unificationGlossary unification

► Published glossary Published glossary good referencegood reference

► Networking among contributorsNetworking among contributors► A lot of communication is neededA lot of communication is needed

- TermM: communication and organizational - TermM: communication and organizational skillsskills

- ProZ.com’s infrastructure (forums, KudoZ)- ProZ.com’s infrastructure (forums, KudoZ)

► Schedule Schedule


WorkflowWorkflow

5.5. Updating translationUpdating translation

► Done by each translatorDone by each translator► Necessary to ensure consistent Necessary to ensure consistent

terminologyterminology► Some participants might ignore itSome participants might ignore it

TR’s work is not finished when sending TR’s work is not finished when sending TR to EDTR to ED



WorkflowWorkflow

6.6. Proof-readingProof-reading

► Necessary to ensure consistent style Necessary to ensure consistent style ► Stylistic, formatting, etc. questions Stylistic, formatting, etc. questions

discussed discussed during translation during translation - PR: communication and organizational - PR: communication and organizational skillsskills

- ProZ.com’s infrastructure (forums, - ProZ.com’s infrastructure (forums, KudoZ)KudoZ)



WorkflowWorkflow

7.7. After deliveryAfter delivery

► Publishing glossaryPublishing glossary► Feedback to participants, referencesFeedback to participants, references

- ProZ.com’s infrastructure: WWA, project - ProZ.com’s infrastructure: WWA, project historyhistory

- PM: availability- PM: availability- Reference on NGO’s website, etc.- Reference on NGO’s website, etc.

► Preparing translation memory from final Preparing translation memory from final filesfiles


WorkflowWorkflow

Complex (but flexible) workflowComplex (but flexible) workflow

►Assures high quality Assures high quality ►Participants can learnParticipants can learn►Requires a lot of communication; Requires a lot of communication;

offers advantages of intense networkingoffers advantages of intense networking►Makes use of ProZ.com’s infrastructureMakes use of ProZ.com’s infrastructure►Can be realized in a pro bono project Can be realized in a pro bono project

(only)(only)


Pilot ProjectsPilot Projects

Our choice for beneficiary: Solidarités Our choice for beneficiary: Solidarités ((www.solidarites.orgwww.solidarites.org))

► Providing access to drinking waterProviding access to drinking water► Providing humanitarian aid in conflict areasProviding humanitarian aid in conflict areas► Relatively modest budget: EUR 37.5 MRelatively modest budget: EUR 37.5 M► Efficient use: Efficient use: 85.7% for humanitarian aid, 85.7% for humanitarian aid,

0.6% for information costs 0.6% for information costs

Strict selection criteria for Strict selection criteria for beneficiariesbeneficiaries


Pilot ProjectsPilot Projects

►9 projects, altogether 200,000 words9 projects, altogether 200,000 words►6 Fr-En, 3 En-Fr6 Fr-En, 3 En-Fr►About 70 participants: About 70 participants:

www.proz.com/team/664www.proz.com/team/664 ►2 glossaries; Fr-En: about 1000 entries2 glossaries; Fr-En: about 1000 entries►Brochure for World Water Forum Brochure for World Water Forum

printed in 4,500 copiesprinted in 4,500 copies


Pilot ProjectsPilot ProjectsSample project: Sample project:

► Fr>En: Internal documents for on-site staff: Fr>En: Internal documents for on-site staff: guides on self-sufficient electrical and guides on self-sufficient electrical and technology solutions (28 k words) technology solutions (28 k words)

► Substantive editing of source material by Substantive editing of source material by team before and during translationteam before and during translation

► Participants learned best practices when Participants learned best practices when source material has mistakessource material has mistakes

► Conflict managementConflict management


ProZ.com’s InfrastructureProZ.com’s Infrastructure

►Forums, private forumsForums, private forums►KudoZ, private KudoZKudoZ, private KudoZ►Recruitment via job postingRecruitment via job posting

100 BrowniZ for applying100 BrowniZ for applying

►Feedback through WWA, project history, BBFeedback through WWA, project history, BB►Translation can be used as sample in Translation can be used as sample in

portfolioportfolio► In return: users learn about ProZ.com + In return: users learn about ProZ.com +

may become membersmay become members


Future PlansFuture Plans

Aim: offering linguistic aid to other NGOs Aim: offering linguistic aid to other NGOs AND help TRs to build their carrierAND help TRs to build their carrier

►Possibility for participants to try all phasesPossibility for participants to try all phasesTR, ED, TM, PR, PM – ready to launch your own TR, ED, TM, PR, PM – ready to launch your own

agencyagency

►Pilot projects in multiple languagesPilot projects in multiple languagespossibly with EN as leading languagepossibly with EN as leading language

►Creating participants’ databaseCreating participants’ databaseadding functions to team directoryadding functions to team directory


Future PlansFuture Plans►Creating own site (Creating own site (www.t4ngos.orgwww.t4ngos.org) ) ►Setting up dedicated teams for specific NGOsSetting up dedicated teams for specific NGOs

by PMs; top-down approachby PMs; top-down approach

►Establishing priorities for providing aid Establishing priorities for providing aid T4NGOs focuses on small humanitarian NGOsT4NGOs focuses on small humanitarian NGOs

►Establishing and publishing best practicesEstablishing and publishing best practices►Working in close collaboration with Working in close collaboration with

other NGOs (common glossary / shared TM?)other NGOs (common glossary / shared TM?)► Integration with ProZ’s mentoring programIntegration with ProZ’s mentoring program


Future PlansFuture Plans““Internship” program at SolidaritésInternship” program at Solidarités

► Paid internship for at least 2 TRs per yearPaid internship for at least 2 TRs per year► Continuous collaboration with team membersContinuous collaboration with team members► Part-time work + part-time training + free timePart-time work + part-time training + free time► Tasks: Tasks: translation, editing, terminology managementtranslation, editing, terminology management;;

tools (website TR, CAT, VR, OCR, MT) tools (website TR, CAT, VR, OCR, MT) ► Lot of communication and networkingLot of communication and networking►Writing up experience to pass on best practicesWriting up experience to pass on best practices► Participation in helping next intern Participation in helping next intern ► Certificate – Recognized by ProZ mentoring program?Certificate – Recognized by ProZ mentoring program?


Future PlansFuture PlansTraining during internshipTraining during internship

►Professional skills Professional skills Research skills: terminology, resources, etc.Research skills: terminology, resources, etc. Using tools: Word, Excel, CAT, alignment, etc.Using tools: Word, Excel, CAT, alignment, etc.

►Communication skills including using Communication skills including using ProZ.com:ProZ.com:

profile, KudoZ, forums, job quote, other resourcesprofile, KudoZ, forums, job quote, other resources►Collaboration skills: Collaboration skills: team projects (ProZ contest)team projects (ProZ contest)

►Best practices: Best practices: translator-proofreader relationshiptranslator-proofreader relationship


Future PlansFuture PlansNext project for SolidaritésNext project for Solidarités

► Intranet and web siteIntranet and web site From July to December 2009 From July to December 2009 Over 100,000 wordsOver 100,000 words Over 30 participantsOver 30 participants

►Expectation:Expectation: Solidarités: better visibility with English websiteSolidarités: better visibility with English website Interns: gain skills, experience, referenceInterns: gain skills, experience, reference Team: profit from trainings, establish best Team: profit from trainings, establish best

practicespractices


How can you help?How can you help?► Ideas to make the internship more attractive:Ideas to make the internship more attractive:

http://tinyurl.com/Ideal-TR-jobhttp://tinyurl.com/Ideal-TR-job ► Ideas/solutions for online trainings (webinar)Ideas/solutions for online trainings (webinar)►Trainers: Provide online training for teamTrainers: Provide online training for team►Event organizers: Provide free / reduced price Event organizers: Provide free / reduced price

training / conference attendance for training / conference attendance for internsinterns

►Tool developers: Provide free copy to internsTool developers: Provide free copy to interns►Organizations: free / reduced price Organizations: free / reduced price

membershipmembership►Help Solidarités directly with donationsHelp Solidarités directly with donations


SummarySummary

►Various attractive offers for pro bono Various attractive offers for pro bono work (crowdsourcing, NGOs, etc.)work (crowdsourcing, NGOs, etc.)

►Key to making the best of it: aiming at Key to making the best of it: aiming at an ideal framework with complex an ideal framework with complex workflowworkflow

►Provides useful reference and Provides useful reference and networking possibilitiesnetworking possibilities


Questions Questions

and and

AnswersAnswers

Documents

Translators for NGOs Attila Piróth The Solidarités team of ProZ.com ProZ.com 10th Anniversary International Conference Ohrid, July