General

• All percentages are based on the total fee paid to the translator -- not the fee paid by the author-client.
  
  
• EARTH pays translators and proofreaders in the manner and frequency they prefer, but does not cover the cost of handling. For example, lump sum payments at the end of a project are acceptable.
  
  Payment methods that would disadvantage EARTH during payment and beyone may be declined. Nevertheless, the very nature of EARTH's business requires payment flexibility. EARTH is open to new methods of payment that can prove useful in a broader and long term context.
  
• In the event that an author-client requests a proofreader, neither the identity of the translator nor that of the author-client will be divulged.This measure is to ensure the translator against potential abuse, and preserve the objectivity and credibility of the proofreader. In a similar vein, the identity of the proofreader will be kept hidden from both the translator and the author-client.

Translators

• Though author-clients and translators work together on each project, each enters into business with EARTH under separate contract. As author-clients are the source of translators' income, these latter are expected to do their best to help EARTH satisfy its contractual obligations with author-clients.
  
  The author-client and the translator must agree on the final product before the translated-document fee can be paid in full. EARTH will do its best to facilitate agreement in the event of dispute.
  
  
• In an effort to insure future work between either party and EARTH both the translator and the author-client will be asked to report on the other's performance and level of cooperation upon completion of the project. Please see Report Card (opens to new window) underGeneral rules and guidelines on the Payment Schedule page.
  
  
• Last recourse - Depending on the nature and severity of the dispute, EARTH will seek a new translator on behalf of the author-client, or alternatively encourage the author-client to have his document proofread. Translators will not be permitted to proofread their own work in this regard.
  
  For whatever reason, including illness, should EARTH be required to find a new translator in order to complete the job, EARTH will cover up to 85% of the translator's contracted amount. In such an event the amount the translator receiveswill depend on the level of project completion, reasons for premature departure, and the severity of inconvenience incurred by each party to the job. The amount received by the translator is negotiable, but EARTH reserves the final say with regard to the amount paid.
  
  A translator that does not complete his job may have to wait until the job is completed by someone else before receiving payment.
  
  
• Documents that are intended for publication must be proofread by a third party and will bear the translator's name along with EARTH's. Translators must notify EARTH, if they do not wish their name to appear on the document. See Credits (opens to new window) under A Rewarding Work Experience for further information in this regard.
  
  Documents that are not intended for publication may be proofread by the translator, but only with the consent of both the author-client and EARTH. Same party proofreading will be viewed as a cost-effective measure for the author-client and supplemental, albeit discounted, income for the translator-proofreader.

Proofreaders

• Payment to the proofreader will be made in a lump-sum as a separate job different from that of the original translation.
  
  
• Proofreaders are expected to check the veracity of the translator's work as well as the quality of the target language.
  
  
  • Problems related to the quality of the target language should be corrected and highlighted, so that the correction is apparent. When checking for errors the proofreader should be sensitive not only to correct language use, but also the author-client's target audience and cultural perspective.
    
    
  • Proofreaders are expected to notify EARTH about errors in translation, but not correct the errors unless it is convenient to do so. Proofreaders are not expected to perform the work of translators, but they are expected to wield fully their expertise in the author-client's subject area. Problem areas brought into question by proofreaders will be further explored with both the translator and author-client where required.
    
    
• A proofreader will only be employed at the author-client's request. Author-clients will be encouraged to request such when agreement between the author-client and translator appears difficult. Proofreaders are required for all documents intended for publication.