Translators deserve high pay

As a programmer and a freelance translator, I read with interest the article titled Translation: Engine of cultural progress that moves very slowly published on Jan. 12, 1999.

The fact that a translator is paid merely Rp 11,500 per target page is really pathetic. Doing translation work requires full concentration, hard word and a lot of thinking. It is like a job of a programmer. A programmer is valued very highly in the Information Technology industry and a translator is incomparable.

Fortunately, in the era of globalization, a translator can find translation jobs outside Indonesia such as from neighboring countries -- Singapore and Malaysia. There, a translator is paid up to 20 cents in local currency per source word.

I happen to know a well-known, full-time translator. He charges a pretty high price for his work, but still receives a lot of work. If anyone feels that he/she is a qualified translator, do not hesitate to a charge high rate for good work. Remember, the profession of translating deserves high pay.

ADRIANUS HIYUNG TJUNG

Jakarta