How much is a translation?

The cost of a translation depends on a number of factors – the length of the text, how quickly you need the translation completed, and what subject it pertains to.

In order to give you the best value, contact me using the link above and I’ll give you a free, no-obligation quote.

What’s the difference between translation and interpreting?

Translation involves moving a written text from one language into another, whereas interpreting is conveying spoken words into another language.

Just because a person speaks another language does not necessarily mean that they can automatically translate and interpret; both involve very specific skills that are required in order to convey the message in a way that doesn’t lose any of its meaning – or add extra meaning that was not in the original.

Why can’t I just use Google Translate?

Google Translate and similar programs are also known as Machine Translation Software – you pop your text in and it is automatically translated by a computer, with no human involvement.

This is fine for small, general sentences, or to find out how to say “I love you” in twenty different languages – but computers are unable to recognise if a text has a specific context, such as a legal document or a piece of literature – and as a result may pick words that don’t fit in with the text as a whole.

This can lead to all kinds of problems further down the line, especially if the word that has been chosen changes the meaning or tone of the text.

With an experienced human like me translating your text, I can check if specialised terminology needs to be used – and above all, I can read the text back and compare it with the source text to see if it all makes sense.

What about translation software? How is that different to machine translation?

Many translators nowadays use Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools while they translate.

These are different to machine translations as it is still the human who is doing the translating – the CAT tool just enables them to translate faster, save specialised pieces of vocabulary for future projects, and helps to put it back into the correct format once the translation is finished.

I use SDL Trados Studio, one of the market-leading CAT tools.

Do you offer sworn or certified translations?

In the UK, we do not have the concept of “sworn translators” that exists in other countries.

Instead, I can include a certification of accuracy with my translation, which declares that I have translated the document to their best of my knowledge and ability, and holds me accountable to the quality of the translation.

On the other hand, if you need this declaration to have more weight, it can also be sworn in front of a solicitor or notary public who will attest to the identity of the translator.

If you require a translation to be sworn in front of a solicitor, I can provide this for an additional fee – but it’s a good idea to check beforehand which kind of certification you need, to avoid paying unnecessary extra costs.

I have written a little more about certified translations on my blog: here and here.

Wait! I still have more questions!

No problem! Drop me an e-mail and  I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.