How The Cost of Translating is Calculated & Why it is Important Not to Cut Financial Corners?
When translating documents, it is important to have specifications with a clear idea of
what the client requires for their specific needs. It is difficult to calculate translation costs when every client has a different need and when the specifications vary to such a degree.
When the financial corners are cut in the translation process that means that the
specifications of the client are not considered and a generic translation is used.
The client will have to make changes to the translated document resulting in
more effort on the client’s part.
In short, to calculate the translation cost one must first take into account the needs of
the client, what the subject matter and quality will be, the format of the files and other
services that will be required, and lastly, the time that it will take for the translation to be
done.
What Does the Client Need?
When fixing an appliance, a process of diagnosis will be done and the price will only
then be calculated. The same is true in the process of translation, the need of the client
will significantly influence the translation costs.
A client that requires translation in regards to a manuscript will differ greatly from a
client that requires a translation to an official document or government-related
documents. Having a clear idea of the kind of documents that needs to be translated as
well as the programs that will be required will help with the calculation of the cost related
to the translation of the documentation.
When calculating the translation cost of a document that has no specifications as to the format or layout the cost will significantly vary from the costs associated with a document that
requires specific formation and if special programming is required.
Subject Matter and Quality of the Text Source
The subject matter and quality of the source text are important factors to take into
consideration when translating text. The client will always send a source text to be
translated, however the quality of this text will influence the time and effort put into
creating the translated text.
In most cases, translation does not simply mean the text should be translated from one
language to the next, but rather that it is a direct reflection of one text but simply in a
different language.
In other words, someone who is a native speaker of the language might not necessarily
be the best candidate to translate a text in IT, but rather a person who works in the field
and has knowledge of the terminology used.
A person working in the required field will also have a better understanding when it
comes to the subject matter and quality. When the translation is done by someone that
does not have a clear understanding of the field, the text quality might not be up to
standard but the cost will likely become less.
Acquiring the expertise of someone in a profession will, in all likelihood, increase the
cost of the translation process; however, it will also ensure the best quality and the
correct subject matter.
The Format of Files and Other Required Services
In the translation process, the client will send a file which is usually converted to PDF,
but it can also include scanned files and images. Converting, these files into files that
can be edited can be a lengthy process and might require additional software or a
complete remake of the file in another program.
The extraction of an AutoCAD drawing will prove difficult, and even when the file is
extracted the additional reconstruction to ensure the original format will be time-
consuming and affect the cost for the client. It is also vital to note that the translation
process will only be able to start after the files were extracted and the original format
was achieved.
When a client sends a document, they most likely, think that the file simply has to be
translated and they are often unaware of the lengthy process this can turn into. First,
the file needs to be extracted and the translator has to confirm that all parts of the
document were extracted and that everything is in the correct order. After this, the
translation process will start.
The translation process consists of 4 steps namely, translation, editing, proofreading,
and automatic checks. Each of these steps has little steps that can be complicated by
diagrams, mathematic formulas, figures, etc.
The complications will also impact the cost of translation.
The Quality and Repetition of the Service
The quality of the text will significantly influence the cost to the client. When considering
cutting costs by using a cheaper translator it is important to understand the kind of text
you need. When the text in question is simply for office use, a cheaper option can be
considered, however when it comes to marketing or academia the quality of the text will
be an important factor and it is wise to go with the more costly option.
When a specific program is needed in the translation process the cost will increase;
however, if the client is a repeat client and have big orders the cost will be lower. The
agency will usually see the additional program as an investment rather than an
expense.
The Timeframe
In most cases, a project will have one editor and one translator for the work to be
unified. When the timeframe of a project is short and the order is big the work might be
divided between translators and this will mean additional work for the project manager
to keep the project unified. The cost of such a project can be more costly.
When do services have a pricelist?
When companies specialize in certain projects the cost can be calculated and a price
can be put together because there is no variety in the projects done. The programs and
means of assembling the documents will be fairly standard and specifications will be
calculated into the costs.
In the case of official documents that need translating, like certificates and forms, the
format will stay the same and the translation will be fairly simple. The company can
have a set of costs specific to each of these kinds of documents.
A standardized set of costs can also be set and customized to the client’s needs. In this
case, the client will, for instance, pay per word but additional work with tables and so on
will also generate additional costs.
Conclusion
The service of translation is priced according to the need of the client. The quality of the
source text and the subject matter should also be considered as it can be a lengthy
process to convert a certain document and a complete do-over is sometimes required.
Another consideration should be the file formats and other services required, the quality
required by the client, and the repetition of a certain product.
When calculating costs, the translator will take into consideration all of the necessary
needs of the clients as well as the difficulty of the project. The time the project will take
to complete and the time limit set by the client will also be considered.
Like anything else, it is best to shop around and find something that best fits your needs
as the client.
