The Role of Translation "Agencies"

The love-hate relationship between freelance translators and translation companies (aka “agencies”) is probably as old as the translation industry itself. In contrast with the virtually infinite universe of potential translation users, translation agencies provide a finite market for translators to offer their services to buyers who largely play by the same familiar rules and provide a buffer between the translator and the client. Freelancers often resent the price they must pay for these services in the form of lower rates. Many tranlators feel that their work does not need the extra quality check most translation companies perform and even suspect that their translation may be ruined by ignorant agency editors. Stories of agencies that fail to pay or delay payment for translation work performed also abound.

Do you think translation companies perform a useful service and what advantages / disadvantages do you see in working through translation companies v. for direct clients?

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