| Frequently
asked questions
Why
should I order a translation from you
rather than a translation agency?
Why not use translation
software?
How much do you charge?
Are there any additional
taxes?
Can I ask for a quote?
How and when do I pay?
How do I know that
I can trust you?
How long does it take
to turn a translation around?
Are you a certified
or "sworn" translator?
Can you provide certified
and notarised translations?
Do you provide interpreting
services?
What is your policy
on confidentiality?
I need more information,
what can I do?
Why
should I order a translation from you
rather than a translation agency?
Translation agencies
and companies can offer a good service
– although the quality varies
greatly – but dealing directly
with a freelance translator like myself
has several advantages:
-
communication:
express your requirements directly
to me. This avoids the problem of
passing information backwards and
forwards via agency staff who often
don't understand the language or
nature of the text
-
price:
cut out the agency’s mark-up
-
expertise:
I will only take on work for which
I am satisfied I can produce a first-rate
translation, either personally or
through a trusted colleague. Agencies
hardly ever say no to a translation
request, but can end up placing
it with an inexperienced or unsuitable
translator
-
consistency:
if you have a series of texts, I
will ensure consistency between
them. Agencies can not always use
the same translators.
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Why
not use translation software?
The only way to ensure
really good translation is to use an
experienced, conscientious translator.
Translation software is widely available
– but just try it and you will
appreciate just how incomprehensible
and inaccurate the output can be!
For example, if the
above paragraph is translated into Italian
and then back into English using AltaVista’s
free machine
translation service the result is
the following:
The only sense
to assess the really good translation
must use a translator with conscientious
experience and. The translation software
is wide available? but just test it
and you will appreciate how much incomprensibile
hardly and inexact the escape can be!
I think you’ll
agree that this is not very useful if
you are trying to present a positive
image or even just understand a text
!
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How
much do you charge?
I charge for work
on an individual basis and I will agree
a fee with you before starting work
on a translation. Most translations
are priced at the standard rate although
extra charges may be applied for urgency,
extreme technicality, legibility and
formatting.
Click here
for my current rates.
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Are
there any additional taxes?
Value-Added Tax is
applicable to all translations for the
UK at the rate of 17.5%. This tax also
applies to translations for European
Union clients, unless you are registered
for VAT, in which case VAT will be zero-rated
on quoting your VAT registration number.
VAT does not apply to clients outside
the EU.
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Can
I ask for a quote?
No problem. Just e-mail
or fax me
the whole text you require to be translated
and I’ll get back to you with
a price and a deadline for completion.
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How
and when do I pay?
That depends on whether
you are a corporate client or an individual.
As a corporate client I will ask you
to prove your company status and may
ask for credit references. Corporate
clients should pay within 30 days of
receiving my invoice, by bank transfer,
credit card, debit card, PayPal or cheque.
Individual clients are required to
pay my fee in advance. My policy is
only to start work on a translation
if payment has been received in full
on the basis of a quote. I accept payment
by credit card, debit card, PayPal or
cheque. Click here
for more details.
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How
do I know that I can trust you?
I am a full member
of the UK's professional association
of translators, the Institute of Translation
and Interpreting (ITI). Membership of
the ITI is only open to translators
who have passed entry examinations and
who have considerable experience in
the profession.
You can find my listing in the on-line
directory on the ITI
home page.
(Click "Directory of Members" on the
ITI home page and then click the "Translators"
button. In the Translator Search screen,
enter one of my language combinations,
e.g. Portuguese to English, and click
"Search" at the bottom of the page.
Scroll down the resulting list of translators
to find my listing.)
Alternatively call the ITI to check
(+44 (0)1908 325250) or e-mail them
(info@iti.org.uk)
.
ITI members are required to abide by
the Institute's Code
of Professional Conduct.
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How
long does it take to turn a translation
around?
This depends on current
availability (other translation work
may prevent myself or a colleague starting
immediately on your text).
Example turnaround times:
up to 2,000 words – 2-3 working
days
2,000 – 5,000 words – 3-5
working days
10,000 words – 10 working days
I always agree a deadline for the delivery
of a translation before starting the
work.
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Are
you a certified or "sworn"
translator?
The UK does not have
an official register of “certified”
or "sworn" translators. Translators
are assessed by their qualifications,
experience and memberships.
I have a postgraduate diploma in Technical
and Specialised Translation from the
University of Westminster. I was a staff
translator for Reuters and have been
full-time freelance since 1993. I am
a full Member of the UK professional
association, the Institute of Translation
and Interpreting.
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Can
you provide certified and notarised
translations?
Yes. I can certify
documents for a small extra charge.
This involves printing a statement on
the reverse of each page of the hard
copy of the translation giving my details
and a statement of "true and faithful
translation".
Sometimes you may need
a more formal notarised translation.
This means that a lawyer has signed
and stamped a statement by the translator
stating that the translation is accurate
and faithful to the original. A notarised
translation is sometimes required in
legal cases, formal registrations, etc.
Please note that certified
and notarised documents have to be sent
as hard copy – allow extra time
for delivery.
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Do
you provide interpreting services?
No. Interpreting is
spoken translation (e.g. at a conference)
and requires an entirely different set
of skills. I specialise in the translation
of written text.
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What
is your policy on confidentiality?
All texts received
are treated as completely confidential.
I am happy to sign acceptable confidentiality
agreements.
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I
need more information, what can I do?
Please feel free to
contact me by e-mail,
phone or fax.
For more information on buying translation,
click here
for a .pdf version of the Institute
of Translation and Interpreting's comprehensive
guide "Translation - getting
it right"
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