Korean Job Discussion Forums

Unreal · Joined: 01 Jul 2004 Location: Jeollabuk-do

Sometimes someone hands me a master's thesis, speech or academic paper to proofread (today it's a speech for an art exhibition) usually for a friend of a co-worker. I don't mind doing the work but there is never any talk about remuneration nor does any ever appear later except for a heartfelt "thank you".

The problem is that even after correcting the grammar and such, the papers still don't make much sense. I feel bad that they could be embarassed by their unintelligible rambling but for the price they pay me I really don't see any reason for me to put the kind of time in necessary to make it good. I know another guy who does a lot of this and he says that they will pay back in kind with favors but after doing about 10 of these proofreadings, I haven't received such favors in return.

I'm wondering if anyone else does this 3rd party free proofreading and how much time and effort you spend on it.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I do proofreading from time to time for the teachers at my school. One recently compiled a chapter for a textbook that I proofread and a FT using it said it was the only chapter in the book with no errors and it was the best in the book. So then I made a point of telling the teacher that a FT thought her chapter was the best in the book and everyone was all the happier. I see no problem doing little favours like that from time to time, as Koreans will usually find a way to pay you back one way or another, and value you a lot more.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

It really depends where you work and who is asking you to do this.

If it's something short...a page or 2 I don't mind doing it free, but be careful because you could suddenly find yourself being asked to correct 100 pages by tomorrow morning........ Laughing

You give an inch..... so they say.

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Oh lord. Speaking of long winded. I was doing a copy edit of some material for some university's english web page.

Exhibit A

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I agree. You see this often even with corporate products. I just charge 10,000 a page, take it or leave it. If they leave it, then so be it. For text books, it depends on the level and the content. I try to figure out the work at plus/minus 70K an hour and quote from there. Good luck. I've had Koreans ask me to 'look at their stuff' (translate: 30-40 pg. papers) for free, but I just say I'm too busy.

Ever wonder why Koreans always make themselves out to be 'so busy' even when they clearly aren't? It's to avoid being tasked by people they know!

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

it is possible to have more than one dependent variable in regression analysis. it is also possible to run multiple regressions using different dependent variables. some of the problems i see have more to do with multicolinearity and a multitude of independent/control variables. still, if we are proofreading, then there is no reason to get on their butts about stats. editing is another story. most papers written by non-native speakers have to be proofread, not edited, before they are submitted to a journal. if the eng. is understandable, then the journal reviewers will deal with the stats and research methodology. not our job. great points you have, though...

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

i totally agree. a long time ago, a friend gave me a great piece of advice concerning any work done here. he told me that if i really didn't want to do something, than quote an almost unrealistic price and stick to it. here, you are, after all, only as good as you are expensive. if they go for it, then great. if they don't, so what; you didn't want to do it in the first place. this has worked for me over the years, and has even succeeded in increasing my pay for almost every type of work i do.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Are you on a visitorship? Does your department have and impose term limits? Do you have enough experience and the right degrees to move to another job anyway? I'd still say either start charging properly, or tell them you are simply too busy. No reason to bend over backward for institutions that are not providing you with any incentive or long-term employment opporutities. The golden rule: If they want to pay and provide the minimum, they should expect the minimum, because that's all I'm going to provide.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Are you on a visitorship? Does your department have and impose term limits? Do you have enough experience and the right degrees to move to another job anyway? I'd still say either start charging properly, or tell them you are simply too busy. No reason to bend over backward for institutions that are not providing you with any incentive or long-term employment opporutities. The golden rule: If they want to pay and provide the minimum, they should expect the minimum, because that's all I'm going to provide.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Are you on a visitorship? Does your department have and impose term limits? Do you have enough experience and the right degrees to move to another job anyway? I'd still say either start charging properly, or tell them you are simply too busy. No reason to bend over backward for institutions that are not providing you with any incentive or long-term employment opporutities. The golden rule: If they want to pay and provide the minimum, they should expect the minimum, because that's all I'm going to provide.