Assess your project before submitting it, you will avoid surprises.
Service to non-profit organizations
Last modified: Juin 2009
All texts are not equal. Some are of a literary nature, others more
informative or incitative,
and other yet purely technical. The cost of translation will reflect that
degree of complexity.
A large number of
professional translators take the word count, in the source language,
as the basis for calculation of the cost. If you are tempted to ask: "Do
you take prepositions and articles in consideration?", here is my answer:
"If you want to save money, I can give you a text without prepositions or
articles. Will that be OK?"
The cost will vary, from
CAN$0.20 (0,15 Euro) to CAN$0.30 (0,20 Euro), according to the nature of the
text ( exchange rate ). Minimum set price
of CAN$35.00 local assignments, CAN$150.00 (110 Euros) foreign origin; payable
in advance. These rates are negotiable on major assignments, as is the payment
schedule (normally 10% upon ordering, 70% upon completion or in increments, and
20% thirty days of billing).
I would not recommend it
(funny results), but if all you want is an idea of the content or you think
that is all you need, you can try the automated translation tools on the net,
one of which offered by Systran
Beware, the translation by such tools requires much revision before obtaining a
decent text.
If the document is on
computer, what software did you use and what version? If it is a print
out, what software do you want it on? Is it for a Mac or an IBM? If it is a PDF
document, it is advisable to send the original document. The editing capacities
of the Adobe software are limited.
A certain amount of
formatting is done with the translation. If the document is on computer, the
translation is done over the source text and there is no additional cost -
unless major format modifications are required. In the case of printed
documents, they are reproduced as faithfully as possible and, unless it
involves greater complexity, there is again no cost involved.
In some instances,
depending on the work involved, the cost will be calculated on an hourly basis,
CAN$25.00 (18,00 Euros) per hour, for a specified amount fixed before hand.
On occasion, the printer
will be in charge of formatting and all you want is a translation with
reference to the type of font at the beginning of any paragraph. For example:
[Title 1]
[Sub-title 1]
[Normal]
As long as the instructions
are clearly specified, this generates no additional costs. Whatever your
preferences, we can discuss them and come to an agreement.
Everybody knows what UN, NGO,
WTO stand for, but do you know what PTT, SNCF, SRC stand for? If you use
anagrams and an official translation exists (as for NGO and ONG), or there is
an equivalent where you are (as for SRC and CBC), it is good practice to
communicate them to me.
Along the same line, some
words can have a particular meaning within a given context. The PO of a certain
company (often for Purchase Order) stood in fact for Pay-Out; this makes quite
a difference. Here again, it is good to inform me of such discrepancies.
What is everyday language
for you is Greek to someone else. I don't think a doctor ever heard a patient
with a headache telling him he was suffering from cephalea. Conversely, it is
sometimes advisable to indicate the proper name (or latin name) for something
that has acquired a common denomination over time; you would not want me to
translate a bold eagle as a "plucked eagle" (as I have seen done).
As a rule, whether or not
you are the author of the English text to translate into French, it is strongly
recommended you give me the coordinates of someone to contact, should I need to
clarify a meaning or a process. You cannot expect me to be a specialist in
every field, even if I stay away from purely technical texts. More than once
have I called Sister Marie-Ange at the hospital to make sure my translation of
a surgical procedure did not in fact kill the patient, at least on paper.
There is much talk on the Net regarding free access or paying access to
information.
Everybody agrees it is a wonderful source of information, but if one has to
disburse any amount every time,
public libraries remain a better choice. As you browse the Network,
you might find information you might be interested in,
but French remains for you an exotic language, beyond your reach.
Personally, I feel it is important the majority of the information
offered on the Net remains
freely accessible. For that reason, I decided to offer a free translation
service,
but within reason.
I will totally lack originality here by offering a special rate to
non-profit organizations (two possibilities).
However, I am thinking more of small local non-profit organizations
whose objective is geared toward social or personal betterment.
Big non-profit organizations such as Amnesty International, CIDA, etc.
can raise funds in the millions of dollars and do not need my help.
Translation English
French free of charge
I will perform the
translation from English to French that you will submit free charge, at the
condition stipulated above. As for the amount of work involved, I am open to negotiation.
In regards to the last point (identification), a simple banner at the bottom of
the page, or a link to my homepage is all I ask.
Translation English
French at reduced rate
If you have a really big
assignment, whether a Web site or a report, or anything else of consequence, I
ought to be reasonable. My time is valuable, but too often I also have a big
heart. I would be willing to undertake a major assignment at half the cost.
Once again, given I still need to survive, I would really appreciate if the
delay were at that point rather large, so I can concurrently undertake other
assignments at the regular price. Now, do bear in mind, as I said earlier this
offer is extended to smaller non-profit organizations.