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A new badge for translators without borders
Thread poster: Enrique Cavalitto
Enrique Cavalitto
Enrique Cavalitto  Identity Verified
Argentina
Local time: 14:19
Member (2006)
English to Spanish
Aug 1, 2011

Dear members,

Translators without Borders is an independent non-profit association established in 1993, dedicated to helping NGOs extend their humanitarian work by providing free, professional translations. The funds saved through the use of volunteer translations can then be used by the NGOs in the field, enabling them to extend the scope and reach of their humanitarian work.

A platform origin
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Dear members,

Translators without Borders is an independent non-profit association established in 1993, dedicated to helping NGOs extend their humanitarian work by providing free, professional translations. The funds saved through the use of volunteer translations can then be used by the NGOs in the field, enabling them to extend the scope and reach of their humanitarian work.

A platform originally designed by ProZ.com to assist Translators without Borders with screening volunteer translators following the disaster in Haiti last year has evolved into an efficient online translation center in which NGOs served by Translators without Borders can post requests for translation, and willing translators can accept and deliver the work on a pro bono basis.

Use of the new platform-- and of course the professionalism and the good will of the volunteers-- has enabled Translators without Borders to donate more than a million translated words in the first half of 2011.

Now a badge has been created for the volunteers who act as translators without borders as a form of acknowledgment and appreciation for their generous contributions. This badge is displayed in their translation center profile and it displays the name of the translator and the amount of words delivered so far for Translators without Borders through the platform (assigned to them since January 2011). It is visible only if this amount of words is larger than zero.



Badge owners can also click on their own badge to copy the code for use in other places such as their ProZ.com profile, personal web page, profile in a social network, a discussion forum, etc. The badge will automatically update itself wherever it is placed as the number of words translated changes. There is an option to add a link to your ProZ.com profile, so the badge displayed on other sites will also lead to your profile and thus become a more powerful marketing tool.

The code needed may be different depending where the personal badge will be placed, therefore three versions are offered: HTML code, BB code and a direct URL. Feel free to submit a support request if you need help to display your personal badge in a web page.

If you are interested in volunteering for Translators without Borders you should visit the corresponding registration page and provide all the necessary information in English.

Translators without Borders has a strict screening process. However, since the members of the ProZ.com Certified PRO Network have already been screened against similar criteria, Translators without Borders has agreed to waive this process for members of the CPN. If you are a ProZ.com Certified PRO and want to become a translator without borders, please submit a support request.

Kind regards,
Enrique Cavalitto
Translators without Borders coordinator

[Subject edited by staff or moderator 2011-08-01 20:23 GMT]
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Mohammad Abid
 
Madeleine MacRae Klintebo
Madeleine MacRae Klintebo  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:19
Swedish to English
+ ...
Yet another badge Aug 1, 2011

That has no official recognition. And less visually pleasing than the bottle cap P...

 
Enrique Cavalitto
Enrique Cavalitto  Identity Verified
Argentina
Local time: 14:19
Member (2006)
English to Spanish
TOPIC STARTER
I think you are missing the point here Aug 1, 2011

Madeleine MacRae Klintebo wrote:

That has no official recognition. And less visually pleasing than the bottle cap P...


Hi Madeleine,

This badge has the official recognition from Translators without Borders, an organization that has earned a well-deserved recognition after decades of supporting humanitarian NGOs in the fight against hunger, illness and poverty.

Aesthetic appreciation is a personal matter, of course, but I think you are missing the point here.

Regards,
Enrique


Diana Casoliba Bonache
 
Robert Forstag
Robert Forstag  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 13:19
Spanish to English
+ ...
The bigger picture Aug 2, 2011

The organization seems entirely worthy, and clearly was created in emulation of "Physicians Without Borders."

All the same, given the differential income levels of the two professions, it is generally more plausible for medical doctors than for translators to contemplate devoting significant time to volunteer causes.

One hopes that the profession of translation will advance to the point where a critical mass of qualified translators can reasonably contemplate donating
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The organization seems entirely worthy, and clearly was created in emulation of "Physicians Without Borders."

All the same, given the differential income levels of the two professions, it is generally more plausible for medical doctors than for translators to contemplate devoting significant time to volunteer causes.

One hopes that the profession of translation will advance to the point where a critical mass of qualified translators can reasonably contemplate donating their services to such worthy causes. One equally hopes that proz.com will be in the vanguard promoting efforts aimed in this direction.
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Tomás Cano Binder, BA, CT
Tomás Cano Binder, BA, CT  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 18:19
Member (2005)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Best way to donate Aug 2, 2011

Robert Forstag wrote:
The organization seems entirely worthy, and clearly was created in emulation of "Physicians Without Borders."

I agree. As professionals, donating expertise and working time is the best way we can contribute to good causes.


Diana Casoliba Bonache
 
Rosa Plana Castillón
Rosa Plana Castillón
Spain
Local time: 18:19
English to Spanish
+ ...
About Translators without borders Aug 2, 2011

I was struck by this fact:

«But Translators without Borders cannot succeed solely with volunteers. Structurally, the organization must hire a manager to match the huge and growing need of translations with the many eager translators who want to help. With a direct need of $150,000, every donation will help!»

http://www.proz.com/translation-news/?p=19582

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I was struck by this fact:

«But Translators without Borders cannot succeed solely with volunteers. Structurally, the organization must hire a manager to match the huge and growing need of translations with the many eager translators who want to help. With a direct need of $150,000, every donation will help!»

http://www.proz.com/translation-news/?p=19582

I am not sure if I understand this correctly. Were they hiring a project manager for $150,000 (per year?)? Why is it that this money was not necessary before the organization joined Proz.com? How was this person recruited? Is this person already appointed?

Perhaps I'm missing the point here, so I would like a bit more information on this direct need of money before donating my volunteer work.

Thank you!
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Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member because it was not in line with site rule
Enrique Cavalitto
Enrique Cavalitto  Identity Verified
Argentina
Local time: 14:19
Member (2006)
English to Spanish
TOPIC STARTER
Translators without Borders is currently operated by volunteer and donated work Aug 2, 2011

Hi Rosa,

Translators without Borders is currently operated by volunteer and donated work from top to bottom, but the level of translations donated to humanitarian organizations is just a drop in the ocean of needs.

In Africa alone thousands of persons die every year because the information needed to prevent and to cure illnesses is available, but in the wrong languages.

Even though the Translation Center provided by ProZ.com has enabled a lot of growth (a
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Hi Rosa,

Translators without Borders is currently operated by volunteer and donated work from top to bottom, but the level of translations donated to humanitarian organizations is just a drop in the ocean of needs.

In Africa alone thousands of persons die every year because the information needed to prevent and to cure illnesses is available, but in the wrong languages.

Even though the Translation Center provided by ProZ.com has enabled a lot of growth (a million words donated in the first six month of 2011), moving into the scale needed to produce a significant change in the world will require a professional and dedicated manager.

I hope this clarifies the issue.

Kind regard,
Enrique
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Rosa Plana Castillón
Rosa Plana Castillón
Spain
Local time: 18:19
English to Spanish
+ ...
Thanks Aug 2, 2011

Hi Enrique,

Thank you for your answer. Does that mean that this manager works at Proz and is paid with the donations given to Translators without Borders? I just think that's interesting to know.

Best regards,
Rosa


 
Enrique Cavalitto
Enrique Cavalitto  Identity Verified
Argentina
Local time: 14:19
Member (2006)
English to Spanish
TOPIC STARTER
Not at all Aug 2, 2011

Rosa Plana Castillón wrote:

Hi Enrique,

Thank you for your answer. Does that mean that this manager works at Proz and is paid with the donations given to Translators without Borders? I just think that's interesting to know.

Best regards,
Rosa


Hi Rosa, as I posted above "Translators without Borders is currently operated by volunteer and donated work from top to bottom".

ProZ.com is currently donating the cost of employees performing coordination and development for Translators without Borders.

Other activities such as screening of volunteers, screening of NGOs and management of social media are performed by volunteers.

No money donated to Translators without Borders is used for these activities.

Regards,
Enrique


 
yanadeni (X)
yanadeni (X)  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 13:19
French to Russian
+ ...
... Aug 2, 2011

Hi Enrique,

The word count for TWB is calculated automatically based on what the person officially translated on TWB site. But how about what the person reviewed?
I'm currently reviewing the project in which I participated as a translator and I have to re-translate some files (I'll give you more details by e-mail if you want). Not that I'm chasing more and more words (this doesn't pay), but it's a question of justice, isn't it?


 
John Taylor
John Taylor  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:19
German to English
+ ...
Considerations Aug 3, 2011

Are there any freelance translators on the board - or is it filled with localisation experts and high-ranking project managers?

See here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/6/prweb8570754.htm
Note in particular the list of "critical tasks".
If the organisation is receiving a "wealth of in-kind donations from localization and technology providers" presumably i
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Are there any freelance translators on the board - or is it filled with localisation experts and high-ranking project managers?

See here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/6/prweb8570754.htm
Note in particular the list of "critical tasks".
If the organisation is receiving a "wealth of in-kind donations from localization and technology providers" presumably it doesn't need translators!
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Henry Dotterer
Henry Dotterer
Local time: 13:19
SITE FOUNDER
Why we support Translators without Borders Aug 3, 2011

John Taylor wrote:

Are there any freelance translators on the board - or is it filled with localisation experts and high-ranking project managers?

See here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/6/prweb8570754.htm
Note in particular the list of "critical tasks".
If the organisation is receiving a "wealth of in-kind donations from localization and technology providers" presumably it doesn't need translators!

The article you are referencing is a press release, and it reads like one, but the impression I have from the organization is that it has been a humble one. It seems to me that the feeling that motivated Lori to form Translators without Borders and offer her work for free to humanitarian organizations for so many years, is the same feeling that drives the translators who contribute. (It is also that spirit, I would say, that has attracted so many in the industry, including ProZ.com, to join in and contribute in the ways that we can.)

Also, for what it is worth, the latest Translators without Borders project manager (the one who had the job before Enrique, working from Lori's office in Paris) made very clear her view that "the translators are everything."

In short, for our part, we've made the determination that this is an organization worth supporting.


 
Enrique Cavalitto
Enrique Cavalitto  Identity Verified
Argentina
Local time: 14:19
Member (2006)
English to Spanish
TOPIC STARTER
The counter focuses on the normal workflow of the operation Aug 3, 2011

Yana Deni wrote:

Hi Enrique,

The word count for TWB is calculated automatically based on what the person officially translated on TWB site. But how about what the person reviewed?
I'm currently reviewing the project in which I participated as a translator and I have to re-translate some files (I'll give you more details by e-mail if you want). Not that I'm chasing more and more words (this doesn't pay), but it's a question of justice, isn't it?


The number displayed in the badge is calculated by the system based on the amount of words in the source files accepted and later delivered by the translators. It considers the assignments posted in the new translation center and also in the old platform created for Translators without Borders.

As most computer-generated indicators, it focuses on the normal workflow of the operation and it is difficult to include into it the exceptional situations that are handled outside the main processes. There are worthy activities that will not be included in this statistics and this is regrettable, but we believe that it includes most of the work done in the Translators without Borders translation center.

Regards,
Enrique


 
Joy Lewis
Joy Lewis
Barbados
Local time: 13:19
Member (2007)
French to English
+ ...
Well done Aug 3, 2011

Thanks Enrique/Proz.

This is much appreciated. It is exactly the sort of thing I had in mind when I made my entry about the MSF/CPN relationship.

Joy

[Edited at 2011-08-03 13:08 GMT]


 
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