HOW TO CHARGE FOR TRANSLATION: A MUST READ FOR TRANSLATORS AND TRANSLATION SEEKERS

Translation is an art. Recreating something written in one language in the other, without losing an essence of the original, and sometime making the translated copy even better than the original, is not an easy task. As an agency doing justice to several content on daily basis, we feel extremely happy to serve our clients well.
A question that is asked us some time is: “How do you decide translation rates?” Or, “Why you charge this when some other agency, or a freelancer, charges that?”
The answer is here. With our experience and assurance of quality, timely service and post-delivery service, we have carefully worked out translation rates. This is how we do it:

1. General translation: The first thing we usually do after receiving a file from a client is to assess its content. In usual cases, of general translation, doing so is an easy affair. That is, count words, multiply it with per word rate and arrive at the cost of translation. We convey the cost to our client and begin work after approval.
2. Legal translation: In case of some other jobs, say legal translation, rates differ from translation of content of general nature. Because legal translation is done by experts, and it needs more care and accuracy, rates for such a translation is a little higher one. Also, one needs to keep in mind that legal translation also takes more time and so, a higher rate.
3. Complicated translation: Then there are complicated files. Complicated files, or jobs are those where writing is complex, sentences are not simple (like using too many ‘and’, ‘which’, ‘so’ and such words, making a sentence way longer than expected), where the content is difficult to understand and interpret for translation in another language. Such jobs take much more time to translate. Hence, we have to analyze then carefully, estimate additional time such jobs would take to finish and decide costing.
4. Special translation: Besides this, there are special jobs, like translation of advertisements, slogans, catch-lines, tag-lines and so on. Usually, such jobs are of few words but need really experienced hand to give them justice. Only those translators who are expert in a certain field or sector could convert an original content of it in an extraordinary translated copy. So, such translations cost much more than regular translations.
5. Translation with designing: Two works, translation and designing, are different in nature. Yet, in many cases, like an artwork of an advertisement, they become one. An ad created in English may needed to be translated in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Gurmukhi, Marathi, Meitei and so on. In such a case, two professionals come into picture: a translator and a graphic designer. Placing translated words at the place, in the right size and in the right font is the job of a graphic designer. Double tasks means translation plus designing cost.
6. Reworking: Sometimes, we are asked to do, ‘repairing’ or rework on translated file by our clients. This happens do to reasons like a) correction in the original file after it was sent for translation; b) different interpretation by client and a translator and; c) a request to use some other word (for example, water has at least 7 synonyms in Hindi) than the one used by a translator. Such a reworking does not add to cost when they are simple and doable quickly. However, when reworking become a time consuming affair, an additional charge becomes inevitable. This too is conveyed to a client in advance.

Translation rates are usually decided keeping above things in mind. Following things are also taken into consideration for it:

1. Per word: Is the industry norm. Most freelancers as well as agencies charge this way. In certain cases, however, charges per page can also be worked out. We usually don’t prefer per page costing, unless a) a job is a really large in nature and; b) is sent to us in complete for proper assessment.
2. Quantum of work: A small work may be charged little more than a large work. 3. Urgency of job: A job that needed to be done on urgent basis may attract an additional cost
4. Formatting: Too much formatting means spending more time on a job and so, rate goes up.
5. Service: Is what we provide and of excellent quality. This is why we like most responsible agencies cost a little more than a freelance translator.
6. Extra: Comes in the picture only when a) Too much corrections, even when a job is done properly, are demanded; b) Revision of a part or parts of the source file results in reworking of an already translated file.

In our next blog, we are going to explain you the difference between a freelance translator and a translation agency. With that you’d also know why paying a little extra to a translation agency is a wise thing. Do read our next blog to explore more!

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