Summary

FAQs

• How much does a translation cost? Why is it so expensive?

  As mentioned above, translation is a work-intensive process that requires a very specific (and relatively rare) skill set. That level of expertise is reflected in its cost, which might seem high compared to other editorial services. Translation is charged by the word in the source language; therefore, especially for longer projects such as novellas and novels, the total can run quite expensive. The sticker shock can be significant, so make sure you’ve thought it through and are certain you can afford it before setting on a translation journey. A translation (English to Spanish or the reverse) will cost you $0.07 USD (7 cents) per word. If your document is short (1-10 pages) and has less than 150 words per page, you will be billed $25 per page. If you require the translated document to be stamped, an additional $25 fee will be included in your total. For documents or manuscripts over 1,000 words, a $70 USD non-refundable deposit will be charged upon receipt, then every two weeks until the work is completed, at which point you will be charged whatever is left from the agreed-upon total.

• Can you translate a partial manuscript or a first draft?

  Translation is only done on finished texts; that is, documents or manuscripts that have already been fully written, edited, and proofread. Once you give me an estimated word count, I will get back to you with an estimated completion time that we must both agree to. Only then should you send me the full document/manuscript, so that I can start work.

• Will I have any input on the translation as the author?

  While I am translating, I may contact you in case certain word/phrase choices need to be made that I feel require authorial input. Please try to respond promptly, as sometimes these choices can be quite significant and delays on your part might affect the final completion time.

• How long will my translation take?

  Translation is a work-intensive process that routinely requires more time than most other editorial services. The estimated completion time I give you will reflect that. If your document is short (a few pages), this might mean a few days, depending on the length. If you’re translating a full novel, we’re talking weeks or even months. Please keep this in mind and budget your time accordingly; I will not rush the translation even if you feel it’s taking too long for your schedule.

• Do you also translate non-fiction manuscripts/documents?

  I will translate journalistic, academic, or workplace articles and reports, official documents, forms, pamphlets, marketing materials, schoolwork of any kind, or other similar non-narrative manuscripts on a per-case basis. I will not translate technical documents such as those in the fields of legal and healthcare work, or any STEM fields I have limited knowledge of. (Be sure to read through my About page to learn more about my academic background and experience.)

• Is the translated manuscript ready for publication?

  While I will try my best to deliver a translation that is as clean as possible, the document I send back to you should be considered a first draft for the target language. This means it is not ready for publication; especially on larger projects, there may be typos or similar transcription and formatting errors unrelated to the translation that should be caught and corrected before it is published. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you revise it and subject it to editing and proofreading by someone other than myself, just as you would have already done with the original in your native language.