My translation pace depends on several factors, including :
In general, a professional translator can handle about 2,000 to 3,000 source words per business day. I also try to avoid same-day deliveries in order to be able to proofread my translations with fresh eyes.
If you need your files translated as soon as possible, we can discuss the deadline.
I offer several options depending on how soon you need your French translation:
Prices can vary considerably depending on the following factors, among others:
To get an accurate estimate, simply send me your source files or at least a sample of them. I will prepare a personalized quote within 24 hours.
Regarding discounts: I only charge what I believe is fair, pondering all of the above factors. Thus, I don’t offer discounts as a general rule. I treat all my partners equally, so you get maximum value for your money. No hidden markup.
A big mistake translation buyers make is to turn to cheaper providers when they’re on a tight budget. As the saying goes, “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” A sub-par translation can ultimately cost you much more than what you saved with a cheap vendor.
There are several ways you can optimize the costs of your translation projects without any quality compromise. For example, here are a few tips for software/app developers. Please feel free to contact me and I will happily offer you guidance for your specific needs.
I commit to deliver high-quality translation by the agreed deadline. After delivery, you may get back to me with any questions or edit requests you may have. I will promptly answer your queries and update my translation if needed.
If style/tone is a concern, I can send a partial delivery early in the project so we can discuss these points.
As a professional translator, I only translate into my native language, French. However, I would be more than happy to introduce colleagues who will be able to assist you.
No translator can accurately handle all types of content. I am comfortable with most technical and general fields. I may handle other types of texts depending on how specialized the content is.
The best way to know whether I can help is to send me samples. I never accept projects I am not comfortable with. In this case, I will happily refer you to suitable colleagues.
Translation is a vast industry, and it is impossible for a translator to specialize in everything.
Having said that, with over 10 years of experience in the language industry and through my personal hobbies and interests, I have developed my skill set to include the following subjects. Hopefully you will find some place where our stories connect.
Ideally, the source text in an editable format. The tools I use can handle most formats, from Office files (Excel, Word, etc.) to programming code (HTML, PHP, etc.). Non-editable files (scanned PDFs, images, etc.) are subject to an extra fee.
Contact me if you don’t know how to get started, and I’ll guide through the file preparation step.
How much do your translation services cost?
You can use this tool to get a quick, general idea of translation costs. However, rates can vary considerably depending on a number of factors, the main ones being:
For an accurate estimate, the best way would be to send me your source files or at least a sample of them, together with any specific needs you may have, such as formatting or deadline. I will prepare a personalized quote within 24 hours.
How do you ensure the quality of your translations?
All translation jobs and projects come with their own context and needs. If you have a specific style in mind or existing localized materials, we can discuss it and establish a style guide and bilingual glossary.
I use translation memories to further ensure consistency and accuracy of translated materials, even when translations are spaced out in time.
Finally, I follow a strict quality assurance process that includes manual proofreading and automated checks with advanced, professional solutions.
I have a very large/urgent project, can you handle it?
For very large projects or ones that require very quick turnaround times, I can build a small team of trusted French translators to meet deadlines while keeping a high level of quality. Please contact me with more details so we can find the best solution.
I need to translate my documents in several languages, can you help me?
I only translate into French myself, but you can hire me as a freelance project manager and I will work with colleagues who have my professional trust to handle multilingual projects. While I can’t handle just any language this way, I have built an extensive network of quality linguists over the years to cover the most common language combinations.
Do you also offer interpreting services?
Interpretation is a different discipline altogether. I have some interpreting experience and may help, but can’t guarantee it. I mostly offer text translation services. However, I can recommend qualified candidates for your interpreting projects.
Do you offer transcription services?
Yes, I offer French verbatim and edited transcription services. Please e-mail me with details for a quote.
Do you offer copywriting and localized SEO services?
Yes, I offer French copywriting/creative translation/transcreation/localized SEO services. Please e-mail me with details for a quote.
Are you a native French speaker?
Yes, and I only translate into my native language. Although many freelance translators claim to be bilingual linguists, most of us have a preferred language. I grew up in France speaking French, which is why I focus on translations from English into French rather than the other way around.
Can you translate into Canadian/Swiss French?
Yes. Although my native dialect is French from France (also called Parisian French or Continental French), I work with several companies based in Canada and Switzerland.
Variations between each dialect are relatively minor and I am trained to handle them. For creative works, it may be a good idea to ask a local to check the content for cultural appropriateness, but it’s a good practice you should follow for any localization project.
Do you work with professional software?
Yes. To achieve high levels of quality and consistency, I work with professional translation environments. SDL Trados Studio 2017 for translation/Xbench for QA are my daily tools, but memoQ, Memsource, Passolo, Idiom WorldServer and others are just as fine.
Are you interested in in-house jobs/contracts with a fixed salary?
I only offer freelance services although work on-site is a possibility. I define rates after taking various factors into consideration rather than charging a determined salary or hourly fee. Long-term and recurring projects are always welcome, but I can only book my time for confirmed assignments. I am self-employed and have no plans to change that status.
For a translator who can work a fixed number of hours every week, you should consider hiring a full-time employee.
I need my product localized, but I am not familiar with the process
Besides translation services, I offer articles to help you optimize the process. They cover various topics, including best practices and cost reduction tips. Here are a few examples of articles I’ve written to assist clients in the localization field: