The cost of translating any text that can be word-counted is disclosed before our translator starts work.  We count every source text word .  For the purpose of counting we construe a word as one or more letters, digits or characters between spaces – including any space formed by margins.  Counting by computer is our usual practice.

We shall be pleased to quote to translate very long texts and language pairs that are not on our Rates List.

Authenticating a translation. There are four options: a translator's certificate, which is free; an affidavit sworn by the translator before a solicitor, who witnesses the translator's signature, which costs £45; 'notarising' - the same procedure but with a notary as the witness, which costs £95; and an apostille, which is obtained from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (usually for an into-Spanish translation that has been notarised).  This costs £27 for each document that is posted to the FCO. Authenticating a translation after a lapse of time is always more expensive and may be impossible.

Retention of documents. Source texts and translations (other than secure items) are retained for two months following each translation’s delivery.  Copies of standard and patent translations received by email are retained for two years.

What a translation should - but may not be. It should be a version of a text in another language that is faithful to the original, but is written in the idiom of the language of the translation, yet suffers no loss of precision. Such a translation may not be an effective sales aid. A translator cannot be expected to know about safety regulations relating to machine tools in Switzerland or about competing hair-care products in Greece. Translators should translate into their mother tongues but translations of brochures and other marketing texts may need copywriting subsequently. 

Maintaining quality. Please ask for our leaflet Another Pair of Eyes.