question about word count in Microsoft Word

Kfulton wrote:

I usually provide some sort of discount when I use a CAT tool on a document with a significant quantity of numbers, which means that I don't have to insert the numbers myself.

Kfulton wrote:

My rule of thumb is that if I have to type it, I charge full price. This applies to numbers as well as translator's notes.

If you are overtyping a document, i.e., the bullets are already set up in the document, there might be an ethical argument in favor of not including them in the word count. If, however, you have to set up the formatting yourself, you are entitled to be paid for this aspect of your work. Your client will doubtless rely upon the wordcount provided by Word, so there won't be any discrepancy.

There are also ethical issues relating to counting numbers. I usually provide some sort of discount when I use a CAT tool on a document with a significant quantity of numbers, which means that I don't have to insert the numbers myself. Unfortunately Word does not provide a separate WC for words and numbers.
Kevin

MarcPrior wrote:



In cases like that, I invariably create a "count" file, and delete from it anything that isn't to be counted. Numbers and other non-translatable data in the case you describe are often in tables and are easy to delete in one go. Sometimes substantial parts of a text have already been translated; I delete those as well. If a text has a substantial bibliography, which requires minor editing but little translation, I may count it separately and apply a reduced rate. I don't have hard and fast rules about counting numbers etc., but customers I've discussed it with have always been quite happy to leave it to my discretion.

Marc