Category Archives: Dialogue with Publishers

Informational exchange on contractual conditions between translators

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The German Association VdÜ has developed a very useful tool in contract negotiating which can be used by all translators, members and non-members.

The KNÜLL file, as it is called, is an information exchange between literary translators on the current status of the contractual conditions.

The file is based on the contractual conditions offered by publishers and other copyright exploiters, as reported by the translators. Upon request, this information is available to all colleagues in order to improve their stance in contract negotiations. Personal information is neither saved nor passed on; inquiries and reports are treated with absolute confidentiality.

In order to always be up to date, KNÜLL relies on the active support of the translators, who can provide information such as publisher name, language combination, genre of the work, publishing format, payment conditions, additional rights, etc. in an online form (sent by e-mail or by post: https://literaturuebersetzer.de/site/assets/files/1087/knuell-meldeformular_2022.pdf).

Inquiries can be made informally (the quickest way is by email). The translators addressing the inquiry are asked to state the publisher’s name, language, format and type of text and, if necessary, provide other information if it is relevant to the negotiation.

Inquiries are free of charge, active reporting is encouraged between members and non-members so that the position of each and every individual is strengthened and translators can benefit from a stronger starting point in negotiating.

As per December 2023, the database provides data on contract conditions of around 200 publishing houses and imprints in the german speaking market. 

The file has been founded in 1994 by colleagues in Frankfurt and has been in development ever since.

VdÜ keeps sending friendly reminders to members in order for them to provide current data. Feeding Knüll is seen as an act of solidarity, helping to improve contract conditions for all colleagues.

Groundbreaking agreement between Strade and independent publishers in Italy (SUCCESS STORY)

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On 3rd April 2016 a groundbreaking document was signed between ODEI (the Italian Observatory of Independent Publishers), STRADE (the Italian Union of Translators working in the publishing industry), and the SLC-CGIL (Italian Union of Communication Workers, which STRADE is joining to represent translators). These associations signed a code of practice for a fair relationship between publishers and translators. The code provides a series of guidelines: ‘Five Points for a Fair, Legal and Transparent Translation Contract’.

It was the first contractual agreement between an association of publishers and an association of literary translators in Italy. By signing it, publishers commit to respect all provisions of Italian copyright law and, in particular, to adopt only contracts of the type established and regulated by the law (‘Contratto di edizione’) in order to fully respect the rights of translators as authors. In addition, the document affirms that contracts must not only be legal but also fair. This is important because, due to the inequality of bargaining power between individual translators and publishers, many translation contracts, even though they formally respect the law, are weighted in favour of the publisher.

Unfair contractual practices not only jeopardize the actual protection of translators’ rights and their social role, but they also put at risk the proper functioning of the publishing system, which relies on collaboration between the various figures involved. This is why ODEI, STRADE and SLC-CGIL, who share the goal of building a pluralistic, ethical and economically sound publishing system, have established good contractual practices as a central pillar in their collaboration.

ODEI was later replaced by ADEI (Association of Independent Publishers), which continued the dialogue with STRADE. The code of practice is to be found in English, French and Portuguese translation on STRADE’s website.

Norwegian translators’ work to rule action in 2006 (SUCCESS STORY)

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2 May 2006 on Sehesteds plass, Oslo: Oversetteraksjonen 2006 is launched in vintage style

In Norway the translators went on strike in 2006. Or rather it was a work to rule action, seeng that we are free lancers and therefore cannot strike as such. In Norway translators have had a standard contract since 1972, but in the early 2000s it was outdated and the fee was extremely bad. We had been trying for five years to get the publishers to the negotiating table, and when they finally did, we got nowhere. On April 1st 2006 negotiations broke down. 

A month later we launched our work to rule campaign, Oversetteraksjonen 2006 (Translators’ campaign 2006). Our point was to take the contract literally: The existing contract, dating back to 1972, stipulated that translators had to hand in “easily readable, typewritten manuscripts which were ready to print”. So this is what we did. We meticulously followed our out-dated contract to go with the out-dated payment agreement. Manuscripts were neatly wrapped up in brown paper tied with string, and delivered to the publishers, who then had to scan the documents in order for them to be edited. Editors who were quick off the mark and used to scrawling in margins and between lines soon found scanning in these comments was not so easy. As the stand-off continued, manuscripts piled up: 60 in May, 200 by August.

Showing our presence outside the fence of the publisher Aschehoug’s annual garden party in August.

The campaign had one overarching motto: No whining. We consistently strove to be funny, good humoured, and nonagressive. We sought to create a colourful, light-hearted, slightly carnivalesque or absurdist atmosphere.

It was launched in the square between the bare imposing façades of the two main publishing houses in Oslo – one shrouded in scaffolding for its multi million hyper cool refurbishment. Translators sat behind wooden tables banging out letters on ancient typewriters to accompany their translations while journalists took photographs and garnered information. The image of a company modernising its premises but assigning its freelance translators to the past needed little comment.

After three months, as the publishers’ book launch season started in August, we started distributing collectable Pokémon-style cards with photos of some of the publishing industry’s main characters’ not so well chosen comments. The cards were displayed on the strike website “Oversetteraksjonen 2006” and constituted part of an internet game.

We picketed publishers’ parties and events, and brandished placards with both silly and serious slogans, such as: “Recent research has revealed that translators need more money NOW”, “Hand us your pin code”, and – outside the most prestigous garden party for the literary elite –  “You are drinking the blood, sweat and tears of translators. And what’s on your plate?”, “Have you the heart/wallet to go to this party, too?” (see photo above).

At the end of September, after five months, the publishers gave in, and invited the translators back to the negotiating table. After a month of negotiations, a new contract was signed. The result was better pay, a modernised contract – and a renewed respect for the profession on both sides.