FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long will it take to translate my document?

  • How much will it cost?

  • How do I find out how many words there are in my document?

  • How do I get my document to you?

  • How will you return the document to me?

  • Why don't you translate into French?

  • Why have you asked for background information?

  • I need this in a hurry. What can you do?

  • How can I find out more about buying a translation?


How long will it take to translate my document?

On average I can translate approximately 3,000 words per day. Very specialised texts requiring a great deal of background research or documents with very complex formatting may take a little longer.

I will always confirm a delivery date and time with you once I have received your document and we have agreed a price.


How much will it cost?

My prices are calculated to offer you a professional service based on the size, complexity and urgency of your document.

My price for translation is usually based on GBP or EUR per 1000 words of source (French) text; if you do not have an electronic (soft) copy of your document or it is a scanned PDF image file I will send you an estimate and the final price will be based on the target (English) text.

I charge proofreading and editing jobs based on an hourly rate: I will agree the rate and give you an estimate of the number of hours I will need before I start work.



How do I find out how many words there are in my document?

If your document is in Microsoft Word you can count the number of words using the Word Count facility under Review.

If your document is in either Excel or PowerPoint please send it to me and I will count the words for you.

If you have a paper copy of your document only you can estimate the number of words using the following rough guide:

A4 page of Times New Roman (12 point) = 450 – 500 words.


How do I get my document to you?

I can accept your document by email or file transfer: please contact me for details.


How will you return the document to me?

I would normally return your document to you by e-mail or file transfer. I will agree with you how you would like your document to be returned to you when you place your order: please let me know if you have any special requirements.


Why don't you translate into French?

Most professional translators in the UK translate only into their mother tongue, and to translate into the foreign language would in most cases be against the codes of professional conduct of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.

If you need to have a document translated from English into French please contact me and I will do my best to help you find a professional colleague who is a French native speaker.

Or try:

All three can be accessed free of charge and allow you to search by language combination, subject area and location.


Why have you asked for background information?

I want to do the best possible job I can. It's helpful to be able to read some background information, especially if your document is part of a larger set of material. That way I can make sure I follow your "house style" and use any terms specific to your area appropriately.

 
I need this in a hurry. What can you do?

I aim to offer a service that is as flexible as possible and will do whatever I can to meet your deadline whilst maintaining high quality standards. Together we can usually find a solution: perhaps an abstract, which I can follow up with a full translation, or a translation of key parts of your document. Please contact me and I will do my best to help.



How can I find out more about buying a translation?

You might also find it helpful to read "Translation - Getting it Right. A Guide to Buying Translations" which can be downloaded as an Adobe Acrobat document from the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.