Hi Rainbow,
I still haven't had a chance to look at all stuff -- I have to catch a
plane today and I'll be gone until Sunday.

Will review all the stuff then and put a formal rating and comments 
up.  It will be 5 stars and whatever comments I'll feel like writing.

In the meantime, I have the first of $2 questions.  I actually do need
an answer for it, but the "tip" amount will go toward your original
project because of the tip limit we are allowed to send your way. 
Depending on the amount of time and effort involved in this $2
question, I have plenty of other questions to pass your way to ensure
that you are fairly compensated.

Question:
I have a survey questionnaire that needs to be translated from English
into Polish.

Requirements:
- the content of the questionnaire uses business terminology; the
translator must be proficient enough in both English and Polish to
ensure that the Polish version (which will be completed by Polish
businessmen) uses appropriate business terminology, jargon, etc.  (my
collaborators on this projects can speak and read good enough Polish
to assess the quality of translation, but their Polish is not good
enough for a PERFECT translation -- we can, however, make some changes
in the Polish version -- our Polish is simply not good enough for a
PERFECT translation)
- I have used commercial services before and I feel that I ended up
overpaying (I learned that the translator only got to keep about 20% -
40% of the price; I'd rather find a free-lancer who who will charge
less);
- in short, we may want to stay away from "Professional Translation
Services", "Translation Brokers. etc."
- a good source of inexpensive yet excellent translators are
university professors or graduate business school students at US or
British universities whose native language is Polish.
- Perfect knowledge of Business English is NOT all that important (it
still has to be very good); what's critical is perfect knowledge of
BUSINESS POLISH -- we can help clarify English-language terminology,
but the translator must have the perfect knowldge of corresponding
Polish terminology
- The survey questionnaire is no longer than 3 pages of questions and
statements that will be rated on a scale from 1 to 5 or 1 to 7.  Most
of the items to be rated are short (usually 1 to 5 words); so, the
amount of text to be translated is no more than 1 typed, double-
spaced page; there are very few complete sentences that need to be
translated -- 99% of the statement such as "Air Transport",
"Government Financing Factors". "Comparative tax burden -
business/corporate taxes", "Investment Tax Credits", "Industrial
Development Loans" .....   where the respondent rates importance or
whatever crtierion we ask for on the numeric scale (for example they
be asked to rate the "Importance of the Factors" -- such as the
exmaples I listed above on their decision to engage in a certain sort
of a business activity, where the respondent would rate Importance of
"Air Transport" on a scale from 1 to 5) -- this gives you an idea of
the sort of knowledge that is required; we can explain the exact
meaning of the particular English-language phrase or concept, but the
translator must be able to use appropriate Polish-language
terminology.

Anyway, this is it for now -- I am sure you may need some further
clarification from me.

Important concern: there are plenty of translator out there, so we
don't want to spend a lot of money on this; however, we are in a
process of creating another 7-8 questionnaires that will need to be
translated into Polish (all business-related) as well as possibly as
many as 8-10 business reports (each report would be about 20 to 30
pages of regular text -- the reports will need to be translated from
English into Polish --  if the translator does a good job for
reaasonable amount of money on this first project, we wil send all of
our future translation needs to the same person; each report can
generate a handsome fee for the translator; this first, short
translation will be considered sort of a "trial" translation -- we
have had a bad experience before where we paid a lot of money and the
final product had to be completely redone; that's why we are cautious
on the first project with a new translator; if the quality of the
first project is satisfactory, future jobs will pay considerably more,
especially the reports.

I am not sure if I'll have access to email until Sunday, so if you
don't hear from me until Sunday night or Monday morning, please don't
panic :-)

Rainbow, once again, excellent work on the other project and please
expect more $2 questions coming your way.

Time frame on translation project: the sooner the better, but I'd
rather it take 4 weeks to get it done well and at a reasonable cost
than paying more for a quicker turn-around.  On this first translation
job, we are primarily concerned with quality and reasonable cost.  To
reiterate, the translator would be rewarded on subsequent projects. 
Needless to say, if we find a good translator, then we will not go
looking for another one for the sake of saving money -- just like in
your case, your total compensation will considerably exceed $200, and
you will have first dibs on any of our future projects.  You have
proven your value on this first project, so now we know that we are
not going to end up paying twice for the same project.

By the way, Rainbow, is there a different way of communicating with
you (as long as it conforms with Google's rules) -- specifically, do I
need to always post every single question for the public to view, or
is there a way for me to ask and receive information that would be for
"my eyes only"?  Again, as long as it conforms with Google's rules.

  The reason for this question is that some of my research needs must
be kept "confidential" and I may not be able to use you for some of
the projects because of the fact that I will be paying substantial
amounts of money for projects such as Industry Market Research and the
like; my concern is that someone out there may use the info you
researched for me for their own benefit (e.g., if I want to survey the
companies you identified for me, somebody may use all the info, send
questionnaires to those companies, and by the time I send my
questionnaire, the company will not be interested in completing
another questionnaire); or, for my business needs, I often need to
research a certain industry and my competitors would be getting the
info for free (as well as the fact that some of the info you can find
for me loses its value as soon as it can be seen by one of many
potential competitors).

I am extremely happy with your first project and I will continue using
you for all my future needs in the future, but I will not be able to
use your services if you are required to post your reseearch results
for everyone to view.

Thanks,
Jerry

Hi Jerry,

Let me first address your question regarding ways to communicate
outside of Google.

According to our Terms of Services, it is not permissible for
researchers to answer questions "privately". This means that all
questions and their corresponding answers are posted on the web and
viewable by the public.

Google Answers: FAQ
http://answers.google.com/answers/faq.html#publiclyviewable

I understand your concerns over this, but we are not allowed to answer
questions any other way. I hope you will still use Google Answers for
questions which are not so confidential.


The following is the result of my research for translators you
require. Because of my lack of knowledge of the Polish language, I
cannot personally recommend anyone in particular. This is the reason I
am posting various freelance translators (including information about
them found on their respective websites), for you to contact regarding
your requirements.


Andy, English to Polish translator
“My name is Andy and it is a pleasure for me to provide you with my
translation services. I specialize in a number of fields including
economy, finance, business contracts, philosophy, psychology, and
general texts. I translate only from English to Polish. I'm also an
English to Polish language interpreter.
Prices negotiated upon job. Payable to bank account in the United
States.”

Email: andy@polish-translators.net

Polish Translators
http://www.polish-translators.net/

************************************

Ilona, Russian to Polish, English to Polish, and English to Russian
translator
“My name is Ilona and I'm a Russian to Polish, English to Polish, and
English to Russian translator and interpreter living in the U.S. I do
translations of literary texts, personal letters, business contracts,
genealogical documents, and more. Feel free to contact me when you
need something translated from Russian to Polish, English to Polish,
or English to Russian.
Reasonable prices always guaranteed. You can pay online through PayPal
or by check.”

Email: ilona@polish-translators.net

Polish Translators
http://www.polish-translators.net/

************************************

“I derive from my Polish background as well as from experiencing life
in multi-cultural Cambridge which allows me to immerse in English
language and culture. I have been living in the UK for a few years,
but due to the fact that I teach both: Polish and Polish Literature,
and I am also gathering materials for my PhD project in sociology
connected with Poland, I have not forgotten my roots.”

Email: beata@drezek.com 

Beata Drezek
http://www.drezek.com/

************************************

Teresa Goscinska, PhD
Accredited Native Polish Translator, Engineer with PhD
English < > Polish

“I am a freelance translator English to Polish providing quality
translation services to businesses, individuals and government
agencies. The service is confidential and rates are reasonably priced
and negotiable.
Accredited by NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators
and Interpreters in Australia). Member of AUSIT (The Australian
Institute of Interpreters and Translators). I am bound by both
organizations' Code of Ethics.”

Email: tesa@pipeline.com.au

Pipeline users: Tesa
http://users.pipeline.com.au/tesa/

************************************

“As a result of many years of experience and specialized study, I can
satisfy your most stringent criteria of performance in
translation/revision/editing of texts from English to Polish and from
Polish to English in various areas of expertise, including legal,
medical, immigration, literary, and many others.
My title of Certified Translator under ATIO membership is in itself a
guarantee of top qualifications; translations carrying that seal are
honoured throughout North America and elsewhere, without any need for
notarization or any other additional certification.”

Email: malwina@islandnet.com

IslandNet: Malwina
http://www.islandnet.com/~malwina/

************************************

Ewa Goodman
Languages: Polish <=> English
Education: Master degree in Languages&Humanities, University of
Gdansk, Poland
Experience: Translating since 1998 from English to Polish; Polish to
English
Interpreting since 1996 (conference, escort and business meetings
interpreter)
Specializations: Arts&Humanities; Literature; Business;
Industry&Technology; Ecology & Environmental Science

Email: ewagoodman_2001@yahoo.com

Directory of Neta Translators
http://netaweb.org/toenglish.htm#Polish into English

************************************

Piotr Graff
Languages: Polish<=> English
Education / Experience: PhD + Habilitation from Warsaw University;
over 30 years experience as translator and conference interpreter
Accreditation: ATA accreditation English => Polish, accredited Polish
Translators Assn. Warsaw, U.S. Department of State contractor,
qualified interpreter Federal Court system
Specializations: Agriculture - Aviation - Banking - Biochemistry -
Commerce - Computing - Defense/Military - Economics - Energy -
Engineering - Environment - Financial - Human Resources - Industrial -
Law - Manufacturing - Marketing/Sales - Patents - Social Sciences -
Technology - Telecomm - Training

Email: graff@sover.net
http://www.sover.net/~graff

Directory of Neta Translators
http://netaweb.org/toenglish.htm#Polish into English

************************************

Hanna Jezak
Translator and Interpreter

Languages: Polish <=> English, French <=> English, French <=> Polish,
Russian => Polish. Native language: Polish
Education: 1992: Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics from Warsaw
University, with specialty of translator-interpreter and teacher of
French and Russian. 1994-1995: Post-graduate studies in Marketing at
Warsaw School of Economics (SGH). 1998: Small Business Certificate
from City College of San Francisco. 1999-2000: Post-graduate studies
in Translation English <=> Polish at University of Westminster, (UK).
1999-2000: University of Cambridge, UK:  Certificate in Advanced
English, Business English Certificate Level 3, Certificate of
Proficiency in English.
Experience: Translating and interpreting since 1990. Translating
services: translating, editing, proofreading, abstracting,
dubbing/subtitling, voiceovers. Interpreting services: consecutive,
conference, court, escort, simultaneous. Member of ATA. Worked in a
corporate environment and as a freelancer. Experienced teacher of
Polish and French.
Accreditation: 2000: Diploma in Translation English/Polish from
Institute of Linguists (UK).
Specializations: Business, Banking, Insurance, Marketing, Advertising
and PR, Computers, Arts & Humanities, Law, Medicine, Entertainment.

Email: hannajezak@yahoo.com

Directory of Neta Translators
http://netaweb.org/toenglish.htm#Polish into English

************************************

Roger K.T. Stenlund 
Languages: Swedish/Norwegian/Danish/German/French/Russian/Polish/Spanish/Icelandic
/Dutch/English => Swedish/Norwegian/Danish/English
Experience: 15 years of translation experience 
Specializations: technology, law, medicine 

Email: rks49@aol.com 

Directory of Neta Translators
http://netaweb.org/toenglish.htm#Polish into English

************************************

The following site is a detailed database of translators. I clicked on
freelance translators and keyed in polish to english. It resulted in a
list of 103 translators, including their details.

http://www.translatorscafe.com/Cafe/LinguistSearch.asp

************************************

I have included a few translation companies with their email addresses
which you may find useful.


Polish Translation
Email: info@polishtranslation.com 
http://www.polishtranslation.com/

************************************

World Lingo
Contact page: http://www.worldlingo.com/company_information/contact.html
http://www.worldlingo.com/languages/polish_translation.html

************************************

Polish Translator
Email: info@polish-translator.net 
http://www.polish-translator.net/

************************************

PolishTranslator
Email: PolTrans@transsoft.seo.pl
http://www.polishtranslator.biz/

************************************

Translatin
Email: english@translatin.com
http://www.translatin.com/English/Englpol.htm

************************************

The ASK Group
Email: help@ask-group.co.uk
http://www.ask-group.co.uk/publish/polishtran.htm


************************************

The following are some useful directories and databases:

Polish Translators and Interpreters Guide
http://links-guide.ru/sprachen/translator/polish.html

Translation Companies
http://www.translator-english.com/translator-english-p.htm

Proz- The Translation Workplace
http://www.proz.com/

ForeignWord
http://foreignword.biz/


Search criteria:
“polish to English” translator
“polish to English” freelance translator


I hope the information I have provided is helpful. Please don't
hesitate to ask any questions you may have regarding my answer before
rating it.

Best regards,
rainbow-ga

Once again, excellent work and quick response time. Thank you.
Jerry

Hi Jerry,

Again thank you for the rating and tip!

Best regards,
rainbow~

Rainbow,
Just in general, I wanted to thank you again for the exceptional
quality, quantity and response time.

I WILL CONTINUE USING YOU FOR ANY FUTURE RESEARCH NEEDS (AND I ALWAYS
HAVE PLENTY OF THEM FOR BOTH ACADEMIC SETTING AND MY CONSULTING
BUSINESS).  The only questions I will not ask are those of
confidential nature - I am sure you understand my reasons for that. 
As long as it is not confidential, the question is yours -- if the
subject matter is of no interest to you (or if the nature of the
question is "outside of your comfort zone") I'll just assume that you
will let me know and then we can open it up for everyone else.  I'll
leave it up to you to accept or reject any project (I am simply
reiterating my confidence in your skills and integrity as a researcher
- I will not be offended in any way if you choose not to accept some
of the projects down the road - no reason necessary).

Once again, thank you for your excellent performance in answering all
of the questions.

Regarding compensation: If some project takes longer than expected,
please let me know.  Also, if you identify some proprietary databases
that may offer info for a fee, please let me know, too.  I want to
make sure that I compensate you as fairly as possible.

Looking forward to working with you on other projects.

Jerry