How much does it cost to translate a document? The question arises every time, and you will be confused regarding the translation rate. Did you know translation companies charge or quote for a specific document translation in any language?
And to your surprise, the cost of translating a document is not what you expected. The quoting structure and translation price for translations are things you might not be aware of. And if you wish to know the scene of the translation price, then you are at the right place.
In this blog post, we will give you a detailed analysis of document translation and how much it costs to translate a document. You must also be wondering what factors influence document translation costs. Don’t worry; we have got you covered. Keep reading further to learn more.
Key factors that influence document translation costs
Generally, everyone with a translation project wants to know the average cost of translating a document. But you won’t find many translation company websites with translation prices. Document translation is not a one-size-fits-all translation service. Various factors influence document translation costs.
Here we have made a list of factors to help you with your translation projects.
1. Language Pairs
Some language pairs are more costly to translate than others. For instance, translating a document from English to Japanese is considered to be more expensive than translating from English to Spanish. According to research, English is the most widely spoken language in the world. Hence, English sometimes acts as an intermediary between less translated languages. These factors add a layer of translation and translation costs to a translation project.
Just imagine a scenario where you have a document to get translated from Icelandic to Hindi. And to handle this type of request, a professional translation agency will find two professional translators. The first translator could translate from Icelandic to English, and The second translator could translate English to Hindi. Hence, increasing the translation service cost.
2. Subject Matter
The subject matter of the translation project is an essential factor in determining the overall translation price. Let’s say if the content is too technical or has complex topics, then the translation agency might require a subject matter expert for your translation project.
And there might be additional charges for these subject-matter experts. Because an industry-experienced linguist is needed for your translation project, hiring a subject-matter expert is a tough job, Therefore increasing the budget of your translation project.
3. Content Size
The size of the content of the translation project impacts the translation price. Most translation agencies around the world measure the size of the content by the number of words that need translation. For instance, An internal company memo of one page translated into another language will have a smaller word count than a detailed manufacturing operation manual, which consists of more than one page. Word count, or the number of words, is just a straightforward way to determine the cost of the translation project.
4. The complexity of the translation project
The complexity of any translation project varies greatly. And therefore, at times, it requires add-on services other than translation. Some professional translation agencies include additional services in their base price, while others add them separately. These additional services included in your translation projects can include quality assurance, quality evaluation, and many more.
5. Quality check
A high-quality translation project generally means translations without errors. And to reduce errors, most professional translation agencies edit and proofread their translations for a thorough quality check. Proofreading is essential for any translation project. It ensures the quality of the translation project, but this could cost you some money. Quality checking is expensive but an essential part of any translation project.
6. Tools used in translation projects
There are times when the document that needs translation requires specific software. Software that is known for its translation efficiency. Computer-assisted tools (CAT tools) are used in translation projects. It influences the translation price of the project. These cat tools are used for translation, editing, and proofreading, and you might have to pay less. As these tools come with translation memory, they save the previous translation to save time for future translations.
How much does it cost to translate a document?
The translation rates are generally calculated per word, page, or hour, depending on the needs of your translation project. In the case of document translation, a per-page translation rate can also be calculated. Translations of diplomas and certificates are based on a rate per page, as these documents consist of only one page.
Translation rates vary accordingly, but the most common translation rates per word range from $0.08 to $0.50, and it depends on the factors that we have mentioned above. So the cost to translate a 1,000-word document can be between $80 and $500.
For other types of documents, like manufacturing operations manuals, the translation rate can be determined per page if no images or graphics are involved. Because graphics and images will increase the translation price. The translation rate according to the number of words is the most common.
The document might contain a higher or lower number of words depending on the formatting, font size, and images included. Generally, documents with pictures and graphics will contain fewer words. Hence, creating a difference in translation rates.
How do I choose the best company for document translation services?
If you want the best for your business, and you are on the lookout for the best company for document translation services. Then you must examine your requirements thoroughly before choosing any professional translation agency. Here we have listed things to consider when choosing a company for document translation services.
1. Specialized in Translation services
Professional translation agencies need specialization in the services they offer. For instance, your translation project needs a document translation. So, you should look out for a company that specializes in document translations specifically. Always search for a translation company that gives you more than just a translation. They should have a range of expert proofreaders and editors so your translation project gets delivered to you without error.
2. Confidentiality and Privacy
While choosing a translation company, always make sure that the security of your documents and projects is maintained. Make sure to sign an NDA for confidential documents. You have to look for a professional translation agency that hires translators who agree to terms of confidentiality.
3. Qualified Professionals
There is a myth in translation that if you know the language very well, you can also translate. But no, it is far from reality. Just because someone can speak a language does not mean that they are qualified to do the translations. Translation requires highly qualified professionals. Understanding the linguistic and cultural phenomena of the language In such scenarios, always opt for a translation agency that works with high-quality translators who understand cultural and linguistic differences in translation.
At Naarg, We translate documents in more than 150 languages with our most experienced native translators, convey our client’s message contextually, and make our client’s process hassle-free. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
