Name of translator mentioned in published works when working for agencies
Thread poster: 564354352 (X)
564354352 (X)
564354352 (X)  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 11:20
Danish to English
+ ...
Apr 9, 2013

First of all, I apologise if I am posting this under the wrong forum topic, but I couldn't find one that matched my query.

Which is this:

I have translated a number of books via an agency whose name is then mentioned in the book as the translator of the work. Is this common practice? I.e. that the agency gets the credit, not the actual translator (= me), mentioned by name?

It's not a big deal, but I like to collect the books that I translate and a silly ele
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First of all, I apologise if I am posting this under the wrong forum topic, but I couldn't find one that matched my query.

Which is this:

I have translated a number of books via an agency whose name is then mentioned in the book as the translator of the work. Is this common practice? I.e. that the agency gets the credit, not the actual translator (= me), mentioned by name?

It's not a big deal, but I like to collect the books that I translate and a silly element of pride makes me want to see my name in print, even if it's in somebody else's book.

[Edited at 2013-04-09 11:13 GMT]
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Marie-Helene Dubois
Marie-Helene Dubois  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 11:20
Member (2011)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Yes I think that this is standard Apr 9, 2013

Whilst I understand that you'd like to see your name in the books, the writer is not your client, he/she is the agency's client.

I'm sure that quoting someone as the translator who has no direct relationship (legally or commercially) with the writer/client could potentially open up all sorts of cans of worms.

It would be interesting to read other peoples' experiences on the subject though as this is something I just feel is logical, rather than anything I can substantia
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Whilst I understand that you'd like to see your name in the books, the writer is not your client, he/she is the agency's client.

I'm sure that quoting someone as the translator who has no direct relationship (legally or commercially) with the writer/client could potentially open up all sorts of cans of worms.

It would be interesting to read other peoples' experiences on the subject though as this is something I just feel is logical, rather than anything I can substantiate with any particular experience or knowledge.

I have actually just translated a book myself through an agency and I assumed that the credit for the translation would go to them and not to me...
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Sonia Hill
Sonia Hill
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:20
Italian to English
Have you asked the agency about it? Apr 9, 2013

I have translated a few books through agencies and have always made a point of asking for my name to be included alongside their name. It hasn't been a problem so far.

 
Stanislaw Czech, MCIL CL
Stanislaw Czech, MCIL CL  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:20
Member (2006)
English to Polish
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER
Moral rights Apr 9, 2013

I believe that you cannot cede your moral rights

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I believe that you cannot cede your moral rights

http://www.cblesius.co.uk/articles/CopyrightAndTheTranslator-WhoOwnsYourTranslations.html

http://www.wipo.int/freepublications/en/intproperty/909/wipo_pub_909.html#moral_rights

One of them is the right to be identified, still it may turn out that it is better not to risk good cooperation....

Cheers
Stanislaw
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Châu Nguyễn
Châu Nguyễn  Identity Verified
Vietnam
Local time: 17:20
Member (2012)
English to Vietnamese
+ ...
Don't feel so bad Apr 9, 2013

Some agencies that I've worked for clearly stated that after I sent my translation to them that translation will become their properties not mine. So I think it's a matter of negotiation between you and the agencies to put your name on. But I would ask them to send me a copy of the book if possible. ^__^

 
Claudia Cherici
Claudia Cherici  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 11:20
Member (2010)
English to Italian
+ ...
Like Sonia Apr 9, 2013

In my case, I got the agency to use the wording "Translation by Claudia Cherici - XXXX (name of the agency)". I must say I was on excellent terms with the agency.

 
564354352 (X)
564354352 (X)  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 11:20
Danish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
It seems that there are many different models Apr 9, 2013

Thanks for all your comments so far.

I am on excellent terms with this agency and have worked for them for many years. It is not really an issue of conflict and me feeling treated badly. I was just curious to hear whether there was a general consensus about what to do.

In a sense, I can understand it if an agency wants its own name in the colophon of a published work, partly because it is good advertising for them, and partly because they don't necessarily want the end
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Thanks for all your comments so far.

I am on excellent terms with this agency and have worked for them for many years. It is not really an issue of conflict and me feeling treated badly. I was just curious to hear whether there was a general consensus about what to do.

In a sense, I can understand it if an agency wants its own name in the colophon of a published work, partly because it is good advertising for them, and partly because they don't necessarily want the end client to have the name of the translator whom they might then approach directly for a better price at a later stage for new jobs. That's all part of the game of working for agencies, I guess. We are business partners, but we are also competitors in a marketplace...
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philgoddard
philgoddard
United States
German to English
+ ...
. Apr 9, 2013

I've translated something like 20 books through agencies, and they've nearly always been happy to include my name alongside theirs.

 


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Name of translator mentioned in published works when working for agencies







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