Translations

What Service Do I Offer?

I translate texts for you from German and from Russian into English. This includes software localization of apps and cloud-based services, especially for the US market. Specific examples are instructions, user interfaces, articles for blogs or periodicals, press releases, presentations, conference materials, websites, and games. I can translate files in many different formats, including Word files, spreadsheets, HTML and XML files, PO files, and more. You can see some examples of my work on my Work Samples page. If you have any questions about whether I can address your specific project needs, feel free to contact me directly.

What Will It Cost?

That will depend on the specific requirements of your project. But if you want at least a rough idea of what to expect: For a translation project, it will typically come out around US$0.18 or €0.16 per word of text. For editing a translation, or for other work that’s harder to quantify with a wordcount, it will be around $50/hour or €45/hour. Editing speed varies significantly depending on the nature of the text. It typically falls within the range of 400-1000 words per hour, though it sometimes goes slower or faster than that. To get a quote for your project, just send me a message.

What Options Do You Have for Getting Your Translation?

You can use a machine-translation tool, such as Google Translate. Read here about when this is a good idea and when it isn’t. You can search for translators listed on the American Translators Association’s website. Or you could ask me to do it for you. Here are some nice things that clients have said about my work. If I’m not able to do everything that you need, I can find translators to work with and I can manage the translation project for you.

How Do You Pay for the Work?

You can pay me by bank transfer (including SEPA and ACH), Zelle, credit card, debit card, or PayPal. (If you would like to mail me a check, I add a $14 deposit fee to the invoice for that, on orders of less that $1000.) Other payment methods are also possible, so if you have a different preference, let me know.

What Was That About Localization?

Going beyond translation of texts, localization means adapting your product or service to make it linguistically and culturally appropriate to the target locale (country/region and language) where it will be used or sold. The objective is to make the user feel that the product was developed specifically for them, with their interests and needs in mind. Localization entails customization related to: numbers (date, time, address, phone-number format), local currencies and measurement systems, keyboard usage, symbols, icons, colors, graphics, legal requirements, and of course the text component: translating.

How Do We Proceed From Here?

If you’d like me to do a translation for you, here is how the process will go:

1. You send me all the files to work on, and any related files for reference.
2. I give you a price quote for the project, and tell you roughly how long it will take.
3. You send me a 50% prepayment for the project.
4. I do the work, and if necessary I ask you questions to ensure that I can give you a quality final product that meets your needs.
5. I send you the completed files, and you look it over to make sure it’s what you need. If you have any questions, you can ask me.
6. You pay me the remainder for the project.

What Do Translators Do?

What exactly does a translator do? I’ve summarized this here.

What Benefits Do I Offer You?

• Your text gets translated accurately. I have been fluent in Russian since 1999, and in German since 1988. As a professional translator I continuously have practice with texts in both languages. And I’m ATA-certified to translate German to English.
• Your text is in a clear and natural style in English. English speakers strongly prefer a straightforward, uncomplicated style that conveys more information in fewer words. Writing in other languages, such as German and Russian, is often not like this.
• You avoid embarrassing errors. I’m a native speaker of American English, with outstanding spelling and grammar. I give meticulous attention to detail.
• The translation’s style matches that of your original text. I’m careful to keep the translations as close as practical to the style and mood of the original. You can also give additional instructions on the style and level of formality you want for your English text.
• Your file type and formatting remain the same. I make sure my translation is as close as practical to the original source text, not only in wording but also in overall appearance. In most cases I give you my translation in the same type of file you’ve given me. I can translate files in a wide variety of formats including Microsoft Office, HTML, OpenDocument, Visio, plain-text, PO files, and more.
• Your terminology is applied consistently. I use state-of-the-art software to ensure consistent translations of your terminology and texts—even for your subsequent orders, months or years later.
• I respect you and your needs. You have a good reason for wanting your text translated into English. Your success is my success. Your proprietary information is safe with me.

To get started, contact me here for a price quote.