RATES
For most assignments, I charge $40.00 per hour (in U.S. Dollars). I turn off the clock when researching references like printed dictionaries, connecting to the Internet, consulting with colleagues, calling the library, etc.) Depending on the nature of the project or the agency presenting it, I may charge less.
Since I charge by the hour, I cannot predict accurately the eventual cost of a document. However, in order to give my potential clients the opportunity to make an informed decision, I usually present a two-fold estimate of final charges. I indicate a minimum charge and also a maximum one that I pledge not to exceed.
I have noted that one page (~400 words) of an informal document, takes me approximately one hour to translate (yielding a cost of $40 per page of about 400 words). In order to give you a precise price quote to which I will commit, I need to see the actual document, or a representative sample.
Generally speaking, the final charge comes to somewhere between $0.10 and $0.14 per word in the “target” language (versus the original, or “source” language). The range in cost reflects differences in content and format between documents. Certain projects demand more time and effort than others and therefore should cost more.
Notarization requires additional time and procedures that include printing a hard copy, traveling to a Notary Public to have it notarized, then mailing the document at the Post Office. I will charge an additional $30.00 for the first notarized document and $10.00 each for any other ones in the same project .
RATES: details
Spanish uses up to 20% more words than English. English can be characterized as a “telegraphic” language, meaning one that requires relatively fewer words to express the same idea as Spanish. Oftentimes I add a bit of explanatory text or equivalent terms in both languages. For these reasons I base my estimates of charges on the assumption that the Spanish version will span 20% more words.
Charging by the page can be misleading since the amount of text varies from one document to another. The width of the margins, the size of the script/font, the presence of graphics, the “leading” between lines, all these variables impact the amount of work.
When charging a fixed rate by the word, clients submitting informal documents in effect partly subsidize the work done to formal documents. What we can call the “register”, where the document falls on the continuum between formal and informal, will determine how long it takes to perform a translation.
The more informal the language, the lower should be the cost of a translation because the work requires less effort. Charging by the hour, at times on a sliding scale, automatically allows for the differences.
Also, I apply my own sense of a sliding scale. For non-profit organizations (such as social service agencies, NGOs, community volunteer associations, etc.) that are not involved in commerce, I charge at a lower rate, as low as $20.00 US per hour. Sometimes I volunteer my services. Please phone to discuss your situation.
I’m confident you will be pleased with our collaboration. My experience has been positive and the return business testifies to the satisfaction of my clients.
SCHEDULING & DEADLINES
I can translate 2000 words (or more) in one day depending on the nature of the document. Usually I will complete a short e-mailed assignment by the next day after receiving it. If time is of the essence, please suggest a deadline. Evidently, conventional mail will add several days before and after the translation.
For faster service, please send me the document by e-mail, or fax. If you present a digitized documents, I will not need to spend time formatting. Also, consider phoning to alert me of your transmission or that we may discuss other particulars.
WORD PROCESSING
FORMATTING ~GRAPHICS
I use Word for WIN 7 (also SDL TRADOS). This program will accept documents written with many different processors, including WordPerfect, MAC, and a number of others, including ASCII (of course). Due to the nature of the two languages (and certain explanatory additions and terms in both languages), Spanish tends to take up to 20% more words/space than the equivalent in English. This fact could affect your layout and the cost of translating.
I can easily maintain the design, formatting and layout you so painstakingly applied to your document (again, please account for the 20% increase in size) if you send me the project already digitized.
Please note that I use very sophisticated desktop publishing and graphics programs that allow precise custom layout, formatting, and illustrations. I can give your document almost any look, including very high quality laser printing in color.
Thank you for your interest in the services I offer, and please do not hesitate to contact me for clarifications or other concerns
Sincerely,
Miguel E. Martínez A.
Languages are inherently ambiguous. Entire thoughts can be interpreted in more than one way. Therefore I like to stay in close touch with my clients to insure that what they mean in one language will be completely and accurately expressed in the other. Contact me now. (All can be negotiable, just for a short period of time)
