Re: Certification program for translators
SDL Desktop Technology has launched the SDL TRADOS Certification Program ( http://www.sdl.com/certified
this is very interesting. We can safely assume that SDL is not really heading into the “educational” sector too?
Whatever qualifies a translation tool manufacturer and Language Service Provider to become a certifier of proficiency is one question, but besides that I found it quite interesting to follow the developments since SDL bought Trados. One emphasis could well be identified in the increasing focus on more after-sales revenue. In the “good old days” you had to put up with whatever support you could get by your tool provider. Usually Usenet groups or yahoo groups of tool users were one good way of getting your issues sorted. Of course the tool manufacturer are right into those groups as it is a great bug reporting tool. Nowadays you buy your tool and a 1 year backup service (as if they expect you to have problems with the tool). The interesting bit is that of course SDL is a LSP too and thus on a certain level a competitor of every single translation industry client (freelancers and agencies). Of course they are not going to use their position for anything untoward. So if you are a freelancer, using SDL or Trados, and you have a problem with a file that you cannot retrieve from your tool, then good on you for having a support plan with SDL. Just send the relevant files to SDL and they will help. Never mind the admin data contained in your file, like client name, subject area and maybe even your whole TM. How much do you have to trust SDL not to use this information? Is this an argument for freelancers and agencies to buy their translation tools from other sources like Atril, or Idiom, rather than Start Transit or SDL (who are both LSPs too)? Is L10nbridge now going to review their abandoned tool sales activities?
Very interesting.