What could possibly go wrong?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

The Russians are considering using the French firm. This was sprung on us yesterday. Still waiting for State's position, and information about the firm. They could be golden, we just don't know at this time.

I'm shocked the State Department can't recommend you a list or Russian speaking retired workers that may be interested. With the Cold War over, they can't have nearly as much to do.

They are planning to farm out the work to University Language Departments as a research study and student work. If they're plan goes forward, anyway.

[Clinton Huxley]

Given the need for clarity in teaching material and exact translation of official histories, is it sensible to farm this out to students? Just thinking that a lot of trouble goes into the original documents and maybe nuance may be lost by "amateur" translators.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Given the need for clarity in teaching material and exact translation of official histories, is it sensible to farm this out to students? Just thinking that a lot of trouble goes into the original documents and maybe nuance may be lost by "amateur" translators.

The Language Departments will be responsible for the quality of the work. And they will be required to consult with their History Departments.

[Svartalf]

The Russians are considering using the French firm. This was sprung on us yesterday. Still waiting for State's position, and information about the firm. They could be golden, we just don't know at this time.

The very fact they contract a foreign company for such a job, rather than local, and that the job will be adding a useless and dangerous step to a process that could be done better by keeping simple tells me all I have to know.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

The Russians are considering using the French firm. This was sprung on us yesterday. Still waiting for State's position, and information about the firm. They could be golden, we just don't know at this time.

The very fact they contract a foreign company for such a job, rather than local, and that the job will be adding a useless and dangerous step to a process that could be done better by keeping simple tells me all I have to know.

I've just been notified that "Officials at the highest level of the State Department" are looking into how this kink got added to a simple program. I think we'll find a link between Moscow and Paris somewhere in there, a monetary link.

[Svartalf]

Well, it's a classic kickback scheme.
I'm more used to see those with major stuff like armament and public works contracts, but the pattern is classic.

I even bet that the big package has been handed out to the firm in several smaller parts, just to make sure the sums involved remain low enough that the contract can be attributed discretionalrily (unless Russia still hasn't learned about democratic practices like auctioning public contracts)

[Gawdzilla Sama]

We. as private citizens, have the right to step out of the loop here, but I'd hesitate to do that as we wouldn't know who would be advising them in that case. I have a fair to middlin' knowledge of WWII, and Patrick is scary on the topic.

[Tero]

Should go through German, they are accurate. Besides, they know their Nazis.

2 languages: no sense at all.

A book takes half a year for a real translator. My wife did a Norwegian sports medicine book.

Google translate just does words. It does not sort subject verb and object so it is a waste for translators who at best work as fast as they can type.

[Ronja]

Gawdzilla, if you don't want to post it, PM me the French company's info - I can at least look them up on the ProZ.com Blue Board. If they are a part of the ProZ.com network (the biggest that I know of for translators and interpreters) they will have a record of reputation, which paying members can check.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Gawdzilla, if you don't want to post it, PM me the French company's info - I can at least look them up on the ProZ.com Blue Board. If they are a part of the ProZ.com network (the biggest that I know of for translators and interpreters) they will have a record of reputation, which paying members can check.

I'm staying out of that end, it's not really our problem. Patrick and I are drawing a fine line around what we will do for this project. I will say that parties looking into the company can find no record of it in France as late as November.

[Ronja]

Gawdzilla, if you don't want to post it, PM me the French company's info - I can at least look them up on the ProZ.com Blue Board. If they are a part of the ProZ.com network (the biggest that I know of for translators and interpreters) they will have a record of reputation, which paying members can check.

I'm staying out of that end, it's not really our problem. Patrick and I are drawing a fine line around what we will do for this project. I will say that parties looking into the company can find no record of it in France as late as November.

.

Thanks a heap, now I have to untangle my eyebrows from my hairline...

Big time fishy - Svarty seems to have figured them out pretty exactly.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Attorney General advising now. I've never seen the government move this fast before.

[Tero]

With 10 translators doing nothing but this, I estimate 3-5 years. It will cost.

[Svartalf]

Attorney General advising now. I've never seen the government move this fast before.

Uh, what? In English please?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Attorney General advising now. I've never seen the government move this fast before.

Uh, what? In English please?

Okay, the Attorney General, the government's head lawyer, just sent us a note asking us not to discuss this matter in public while they look into it.

And this place ain't public.