The 4 favourite excuses of translators and translation agencies

Most of us have been brought up on that Christian premise “The truth will set you free.” However, as we grow up, we see that this biblical freedom comes at a cost we are not willing to bear.

Although there are people who, even as children, already know the good use of lying, life's blows teach even the most sincere that a little white lie every now and then doesn't hurt anyone and can save us from many difficult situations.

In a business relationship between freelance translators and translation companies, or between them and their direct clients, situations arise where freelance translators and agencies use lying as a way to preserve the relationship and not lose face in front of their clients.

Of course, these excuses are not exclusively used by freelance translators in their relationship with translation agencies, but the latter also use them in their relationship with other translation agencies.

In this blog, I will share with you those excuses that hide a “no” or soften a situation as a way to save some relationships. Let's admit it, sometimes we can feel offended if someone we don't trust says “no” to us, and this is what translators and translation companies precisely try to avoid.

1. “My schedule is full”

Undoubtedly, this is the preferred and number one excuse. As an attribute of every good excuse, we will never know if the translator or agency is telling us the truth or not. However, suspicion arises when we send a small or a slightly difficult job that the translator or agency prefers not to accept.

It is an ideal excuse, as it conveys the willingness of the translator or translation agency to continue working with us while letting us know that we are not their only clients and that they are in demand.

2. “I didn’t receive the email”

Another situation that occurs from time to time is not receiving a response to a translation request. It is also a good lie because there are many reasons why an email sometimes doesn't arrive. The translator or agency, not wanting to say “no”, will not reply in the hopes that another linguist will carry out the translation job they prefer not to accept.

Sometimes, this white lie is simply an example of forgetfulness, where the translator meant to respond, but due to a heavy workload or other circumstances, it slipped their mind. 

3. Here are the translated files!

This is a typical strategy I have observed in jobs to be delivered at the end of the day, although it is also used in other situations. This lie comes in handy when the translation has not been completed the day of the deadline, and the translator or translation company will not be able to deliver as promised.

The trick here is to send some files that obviously do not contain the translation “by mistake”, hoping that they will not be seen by the project manager until the next day.

With this strategy, the translator will have “delivered on time” and gained the necessary leeway to finish the translation and send it as soon as it is requested.

4. Health issues

I imagine this excuse has existed since humanity began. Health comes first, and without it, we can do nothing. However, I must say that in my professional experience, I have rarely come across this type of excuse. I don't know if it's because of the negative connotation it implies or because it uses something as important as health.

However, there are always people willing to do anything. Translators and project managers are no exception and will have no qualms about telling the most unbelievable situation to come out unscathed from an embarrassing situation.

Although no one likes to be called a “liar”, let him who is without sin cast the first stone. The reality is that these lies told in a relationship as well as professional and honest behaviours are common and even good. Yes, good, because they help to consolidate and maintain years-long professional relationships that may have been broken if the truth had appeared naked and ashamed.

In case you don't believe me, I leave you with this article “What’s Good about Lying.”