There are many types of technical content and documents which need to be translated by experienced technical translators. These cover scientific, medical, manufacturing, business and financial translations. The cost of a translation for technical texts is typically higher than general translation rates due to the level of expertise required.
Technical translation is a specialized skill. Espresso Translations is a leading translation company offering a wide range of technical translation services.
When considering cost, translation services can vary depending on several influencing factors. We will look at the different elements that determine how much a technical translation will cost and how you can get an accurate quote.
What factors influence the cost of a technical translation?
Technical translation involves the input and expertise of an experienced translation partner such as Espresso Translations. We understand when you need translation of a document designed for a technical audience, you’ll require an accredited translation agency who understands all aspects of technical translation.
The factors which influence the cost of a technical translation are:
- Length of the text, i.e., word count
- Complexity of the content
- Language pair, i.e., the source and target languages
- Required certification, e.g., certified, sworn, legalised or notarised
- Turnaround time requested
- Formatting requirements
Let’s take a look at each of these cost factors in turn to provide better understanding.
Text length
The length of a technical document or text will have a direct impact on the translation price. Quite simply, the longer the text, the more time the translator will need to complete the project which will in turn, influence the final cost.
Different translation agencies operate various pricing strategies. Some translation projects are priced per word while others are calculated by page, either way a longer document will cost more to translate. Espresso Translations operate a per-word pricing system for every technical translation, as part of our transparent language service.
Content complexity
Technical documentation is, by its nature, complex. But as the translation of technical texts covers a wide range of fields, there are varying degrees of complexity.
Depending on the subject matter, target audience and level of detail included, some technical document translation is more difficult than others. The need for a suitably qualified technical writer with the necessary subject matter experience will affect the cost of the translation process.
Clear communication of the subject matter without altering any of the meaning or context is essential for the quality of the translation. This level of attention to detail by a professional translator is what you are paying for.
Language pair
A large contributing factor to the price translation projects incur is the language pair. This refers to the language the original document is written in, called the source language and the language the client wishes to have it translated into, called the target language.
There are many common language pairs which numerous translators are proficient in. An example would be French to English. However, other language combinations are more rare, for example Japanese to Farsi. There will be fewer translators who are able to carry out such a translation which will increase the cost. In addition to being proficient in these languages, a technical translator also needs knowledge and experience of the subject matter.
Required certification
There are various forms of certification which may be needed for a technical translation project.
A certified translation is accompanied by a statement of truth from the translator or translation agency which attests that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original document. All UK public bodies and authorities accept certified translations for official purposes, as do most common law countries such as Canada and Australia.
A sworn translation is completed by a sworn translator who attaches a signed affidavit to the translation and then swears to its accuracy in front of a court or public official. Sworn translations are not required for official purposes in the UK but are commonly requested in civil law countries such as France and Spain and other continental European countries.
A notarised translation contains the signature not just of the translator but also of a notary public. The translator must present a valid form of ID, allowing the notary public to verify their identity. This adds an extra level of trustworthiness to the translation but the notary’s signature does not attest to the accuracy of the translation, only the translator’s identity.
An apostille translation has been authenticated by a designated authority in a country that has signed the Hague Convention. It validates the document without any further need for translation in another signatory country.
Turnaround time
Translation rates vary according to the turnaround or delivery time. If a client needs expedited delivery, this will require additional time spent on the project by the translator which will incur an extra fee. As technical translation involves translating specialised content, it’s also necessary for the translator to be vigilant with the accuracy of the translation as well as being mindful of the required deadline.
We offer 48-hour, 24-hour and same-day delivery on most of our translation and language services. However, technical translation is often more involved and your dedicated project manager will keep you updated on the turnaround time for your project.
Formatting requirements
The formatting and editing requirements of some documents will be more complicated than others and this can mean a higher fee as the work is more involved and time consuming. The inclusion of graphs, tables, lists and images all need to be replicated and translated without losing any of the meaning and context.
At Espresso Translations, we leverage the latest translation technology tools and software to provide the highest quality translations for our clients.
Also Read: What is technical translation?
Are there different rates for different document types?
As technical translation covers such a wide range of industries, it’s not surprising that there may be confusion over how pricing works.
Each sector has its own subject-matter expertise and terminology. This means the translator needs to be very familiar with the specific technical area and that level of expertise is reflected in the cost of the translation.
As an example, the types of technical documents that may require translation include:
- Product specifications
- Technical manuals
- Medical device guides
- Datasheets
- Patents
- Training material
- Autocad drawings
For each of these documents, the same factors as listed above will impact the final cost of the translation. However, the more complex and specialist the technical content, the higher the price for the translation. For example, a user manual directed at the general public will not be as complex and detailed as information translated for a professional audience.
Espresso Translations’ technical document translation services offer the highest level of technical expertise for every type of audience.
How is pricing determined for urgent translations?
Espresso Translations offers a clear per-word pricing policy for translated technical documents. For urgent translations, we can expedite your work but this typically incurs an extra charge. Each of the contributing factors that we have already mentioned will apply to an urgent technical translation. We will then calculate how much a fast turnaround will cost.
The best way to discover exactly how much your translation will cost is to request a free estimate. We will reply to you within an hour with a quote for your technical translation.
Also Read: What is the difference between technical and literary translation?
What are the average technical translation rates?
The average rate for translation varies between £0.10 and £0.16 per word. However, as we have discussed, an accurate technical translation requires a high degree of knowledge, experience and expertise, all of which add to the cost of a standard translation. Therefore, the per word price for a technical translation will typically be higher than the average.
Some companies may charge per page or offer a flat fee price. However, the per word pricing policy is the most common and seen as fair for both client and translator. There will be cost variations also between the various industry sectors based on the complexity of their associated content and the intended audience.
Espresso Translations offers professional technical translation services at competitive prices while always maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, precision and attention to detail.
How much does a technical translation cost?
Technical translation varies depending on several factors. However, each technical translation is quoted on an individual basis and Espresso Translations abides by the quoted cost. As a professional technical translation agency, we never add any hidden fees or charges, allowing you to budget with confidence for high-quality technical translations.
The cost of technical translation is influenced by the various factors already discussed but each of our certification services remains the same for the translation of your documents.
For each type of translation, the prices are as follows:
- Certified translation – starting at £30 plus VAT
- Sworn translation – starting at £50 plus VAT
- Notarised translation – starting at £90 plus VAT
- Apostille translation – starting at £90 plus VAT
We offer competitive prices for all our language and localization services while always providing high-quality ISO-certified translations.
How is the cost of a technical translation worked out?
The cost of a technical translation is worked out by taking into account the size of the document, its complexity, the source and target languages, formatting requirements, turnaround time and certification required.
When you get in touch with Espresso Translations, we will send you a detailed quote within an hour of your request to provide technical translation services. This will lay out the exact price that you will pay and it does not change unless your requirements or scope of project alter.
Your translation of technical documents will be carried out by a native speaker of the target language who is proficient in the source language. They will also be an expert technical writer with a background in the subject matter that the translation relates to. A second, equally qualified linguist, will proofread the translation and return it to your dedicated project manager. They will carry out final quality control checks before sending the completed translation to you for approval.
All of this is covered by your payment and we don’t ask for extra money for these services. It’s part of our commitment to the organisations and individuals we work with to produce the very best technical translations.
How can I get a quote for technical translation services?
To obtain a quote from Espresso Translations for our technical translation service, simply fill in our online contact form and attach the file for translation.
The information on the form should include:
- Your name
- Email address
- Whether you are a private individual or a company
- Type of service you need
- Source language
- Target language
- Required delivery date
- Your project brief
If you are unsure about any part of our professional translation services, please do not hesitate to ask. We are here to answer any questions you may have about translating documents. If you require additional services like transcription or website translation, feel free to enquire.
Who to get technical documents translated by?
For technical documents, you should only use professional technical translation services. A regular translator without the necessary technical knowledge and experience will not be able to provide an accurate translation. You should also not rely solely on machine translation which is not suitable for accurately translating technical terms.
As a leading technical translation company, we use the latest Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools to support our translation experts when working on various technical documents and manuals. These technologies include translation memory which facilitates consistency and precision across different documents and reports. It also helps to streamline the translation process and lower translation costs. This translation software is not the same as machine translation and is always used in conjunction with human translation.
Espresso Translations can take care of all your technical translation needs. We have over 2,000 translators who work in more than 150 languages within our global network. Among this talented and professional international team, we have qualified linguists who are also proficient in a range of highly technical industries and sectors to provide you with a high-quality translation.
Also Read: How to become a technical translator?
