Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What types of linguistic services do you offer?
I offer professional writing, translation, and editorial services.
2. What are your rates?
No one project is the same. The rates I charge depend in part on the following factors:
Extra fees apply for assignments worked on after weekday hours, i.e., 5:00 p.m. ET, during weekends, and statutory holidays. The same applies for emergency work (for example, a client asks me to translate a 1,000-word text in the afternoon for 10:00 a.m. the next morning).
3. Do you require a deposit before starting a project?
I ask new clients to put down a deposit before starting a project.
4. What steps do you take in translating a text?
I receive all relevant documents, take note of source text word count (available through statistics in a Microsoft Word document), and provide a quote. This would be sent to the client.
Once the client has approved the quote, I read each document and translate a draft. I would let the draft sit for a few hours—even a few days—before attempting to improve it.
After adding the final touches, I send the translation and invoice to the client.
5. How long does it usually take to translate a text?
The length of time spent on a text depends on the type of document. For instance, translating a 150-word text usually takes 2½ to 3 hours. In general, however, the client and I will determine the time frame needed to complete the project at hand. On average, I translate between 1,200 and 1,500 words per day.
No matter the time allotted for an assignment, you can count on me to respect deadlines and work efficiently and expediently.
6. Do you base your rates on the source text or the target text?
I always base my rates on the number of words in the source text—that is, the language from which I am translating. In my case, I translate from Spanish and French into English. It is impossible to base rates on the number of words in the target text, since I don’t know how many words I will produce ahead of time.
7. In what areas do you specialize?
My areas of specialization/interest are culture (music, film, visual arts, festivals), travel and tourism, international development, environment and ecology, medicine and pharmacy, education, architecture, government and administration, and history.
8. Do you translate from English or edit/write texts in a foreign language?
As a rule, language professionals work solely in or into their mother tongue. I therefore write, copy edit, and translate in/into English.
If I were to work in the other direction or on a foreign-language text, I must be comfortable with the subject(s) at hand and rely on a colleague whose mother tongue is Spanish or French for quality control. The assignment would then be sent to the client.
Of course, it is better to contact a professional who works in or into their native language. I will be happy to put you in touch with someone in my circles.
9. Do you translate official documents (for example, birth certificates, high school diplomas)?
Unfortunately, I do not translate said documents, for I do not hold certification from an order or association. I suggest you consult a directory for these requests. You will find certified language professionals in directories such as the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO), Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ), Corporation of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of New Brunswick (CTINB), or American Translators Association (ATA).
10. Do you sit translation/copy editing/professional writing tests?
Absolutely. Please note, however, that I do not sit any free translation tests and do not sit tests exceeding 300 words. I am willing to sit a paid writing test with a minimum of 300 words and a maximum of 700 words. I am open to any form of paid editorial tests (structural editing, stylistic editing, proofreading, and concordance editing).
I offer professional writing, translation, and editorial services.
2. What are your rates?
No one project is the same. The rates I charge depend in part on the following factors:
- type of service requested (professional writing, translation, copy editing, concordance editing, or proofreading);
- nature of text (technical, general, poetic, or other);
- language combination(s), if applicable; and
- deadlines
Extra fees apply for assignments worked on after weekday hours, i.e., 5:00 p.m. ET, during weekends, and statutory holidays. The same applies for emergency work (for example, a client asks me to translate a 1,000-word text in the afternoon for 10:00 a.m. the next morning).
3. Do you require a deposit before starting a project?
I ask new clients to put down a deposit before starting a project.
4. What steps do you take in translating a text?
I receive all relevant documents, take note of source text word count (available through statistics in a Microsoft Word document), and provide a quote. This would be sent to the client.
Once the client has approved the quote, I read each document and translate a draft. I would let the draft sit for a few hours—even a few days—before attempting to improve it.
After adding the final touches, I send the translation and invoice to the client.
5. How long does it usually take to translate a text?
The length of time spent on a text depends on the type of document. For instance, translating a 150-word text usually takes 2½ to 3 hours. In general, however, the client and I will determine the time frame needed to complete the project at hand. On average, I translate between 1,200 and 1,500 words per day.
No matter the time allotted for an assignment, you can count on me to respect deadlines and work efficiently and expediently.
6. Do you base your rates on the source text or the target text?
I always base my rates on the number of words in the source text—that is, the language from which I am translating. In my case, I translate from Spanish and French into English. It is impossible to base rates on the number of words in the target text, since I don’t know how many words I will produce ahead of time.
7. In what areas do you specialize?
My areas of specialization/interest are culture (music, film, visual arts, festivals), travel and tourism, international development, environment and ecology, medicine and pharmacy, education, architecture, government and administration, and history.
8. Do you translate from English or edit/write texts in a foreign language?
As a rule, language professionals work solely in or into their mother tongue. I therefore write, copy edit, and translate in/into English.
If I were to work in the other direction or on a foreign-language text, I must be comfortable with the subject(s) at hand and rely on a colleague whose mother tongue is Spanish or French for quality control. The assignment would then be sent to the client.
Of course, it is better to contact a professional who works in or into their native language. I will be happy to put you in touch with someone in my circles.
9. Do you translate official documents (for example, birth certificates, high school diplomas)?
Unfortunately, I do not translate said documents, for I do not hold certification from an order or association. I suggest you consult a directory for these requests. You will find certified language professionals in directories such as the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO), Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ), Corporation of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of New Brunswick (CTINB), or American Translators Association (ATA).
10. Do you sit translation/copy editing/professional writing tests?
Absolutely. Please note, however, that I do not sit any free translation tests and do not sit tests exceeding 300 words. I am willing to sit a paid writing test with a minimum of 300 words and a maximum of 700 words. I am open to any form of paid editorial tests (structural editing, stylistic editing, proofreading, and concordance editing).
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