| Frequently
asked questions
Why should I order a translation from you?
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?
Dealing directly with an experienced freelance translator like myself offers several advantages:
-
communication:
benefit from personal attention. Just tell me what
you need and when, and I will do my best to meet your requirements. It's as simple as that.
-
price:
ordering directly from a freelance translator is an attractive option when cost is an important consideration.
-
quality:
I will only take on a job if I am satisfied that I can produce a first-class translation.
I have a very broad experience of many subject areas but if a text is beyond my skill set,
I will tell you rather than produce second-rate work.
-
consistency:
if you have a series of texts, I will ensure consistency between them.
Place repeat work with me and uniformity of language and style is assured.
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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 and will often give you a gist of a foreign language text, but how can you be sure it is the right gist?
If you need a translation that can be distributed, presented or published, then it is essential to use an established (human) translator to provide a polished, accurate text.
Everyone has their favourite story of a foreign menu or information
sign containing a classic translation howler – many of these are due to translation software.
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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. In some exceptional cases I may add a surcharge for urgency,
extreme technicality, poor legibility or complex
formatting.
Click here
for more information about payment.
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Are
there any additional taxes?
Value-Added Tax is
applicable to all translations for the
UK at the rate of 20%. 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 email
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?
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
in accordance with the quote. I accept payment
by credit card, debit card, PayPal or
cheque. Click here
for more details.
My standard practice for corporate
clients is to request that my first invoice should be paid in advance, while subsequent jobs are payable within 30 days of
receipt of the invoice, subject to proof of company status and the provison of credit references.
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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 ITI on-line
directory
here.
Alternatively call the ITI to check
(+44 (0)1908 325250) or email 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 my current
availability (other commitments
may prevent me starting
on your text immediately).
Example turnaround times:
up to 2,000 words – 2 working
days
2,000 – 5,000 words – 3
working days
10,000 words – 6 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 at no additional cost.
I provide a statement of "true and faithful
translation" bearing the official seal of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.
Sometimes you may need
a more formal notarised translation.
In this case a lawyer signs
and stamps a statement that has been drawn up by the translator
who asserts that the translation is accurate
and faithful to the original. A notarised
translation is sometimes required in
legal cases, formal registrations, etc.
In my experience, the cheaper option of a certified translation is almost always sufficient.
Please note that certified
and notarised documents have to be sent
as hard copy – please 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 appropriate confidentiality
agreements.
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I
need more information, what can I do?
Please feel free to
contact me by email or
phone.
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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