Here's one example: a mag with a web presence requests the purchase of first world electronic rights for my short story. As a writer, I might ask that they change it to first world electronic rights in English (with the obvious intention of being able to sell first world electronic rights to a similar electronic pub in their native language).

What kind of experience have you had with doing something like that? Or, is this simply a taboo idea for a newbie writer?

Thanx in advance!

Then you can try asking if it would make any difference to them to do it for you? Do they plan to have the story translated, etc?