How Much Does Technical Translation Cost?

Translation services cost and not just because of the number of technical translators that exist or how many technical manuals one might need translated. Technical translations done by professional translation services require very specific skills for document translation to make an impact for the client. Consequently, the cost of translation for a translation project can vary based on several factors. There are simply things that machine translation will miss and it is necessary for the translation process to have an adequate turnaround time to satisfy the requirements and needs of the client, which can increase cost.

Furthermore, a high-quality translation could result in every technical translation done per page within the technical content could be riddled with mistakes or errors due to poor use of translation tools or poor technical translation services. Both the good and the bad, these factors cost. In some cases, a lot, but what matters is the accuracy in translation and a translation workflow that minimizes the errors in the amount of technical material to provide the client with a fair and balanced cost of professional translation services. In this article, we will examine in detail what influences the price of a technical translation and how to obtain an accurate quote.

The first thing to know is that there are various types of specializations in the field of translation, including but not limited to:

• scientific translations  
• legal translations  
• financial translations  
• commercial translations  
• medical translations  
• literary translations  
• specialized translations  
• legal translations  
• technical translations  

Why is this important to know? The human translation of technical document translation services demands accurate technical translation. One must rely on native translators who are not only capable of linguistic conversion but can also perfectly convey the original meaning of the document. A good technical translator might grasp the majority of technical jargon associated with the document but may still miss the overarching themes or points necessary for a reader to grasp true understanding behind the documentation. This would heavily impact translation trust and merit. Furthermore, it’s important to note that technical translations are among the most expensive since they involve expertise in specific terminology that could influence translation of documents. We will cover more of this later.

That said, let’s start with a seemingly simple question: “What are the general rates for technical translations?” Answering this question precisely is challenging because every project has its own characteristics that influence the cost of technical translation services. In other words, there is no “average price” for an advanced translation or even an accurate translation. To make an estimate, it is necessary to have a clear picture of the individual task and the type of translation required. We simply need to know what the translation needs. Professionals who work in this field with responsibility and expertise know that it is unthinkable to calculate a cost for technical translations or provide a quote without properly reviewing the text to be translated. For instance, simply saying that the price of of the translation is 0.30 per word does not factor in the true cost of a translation due to the variety of factors involved to satisfy the cost of translating.

As we shall see below, there are many factors to consider in the specialized translation sector — text length, type of text, language combination, the need for a sworn translation or certified translation, etc. — before deciding whether to apply a price per word, per-word rates, per editorial page, or per working hour.

Espresso Translations has a dedicated free service to meet quotation needs, which responds quickly to any request (within an hour at most) to provide a clear overview of the costs involved. This means that we will have all of the necessary information to gather an estimate of how much the translation fees are likely to cost. 

In the meantime, it might be useful to read about the factors that influence the cost of a technical translation.

Also Read: What is technical translation?

What factors influence technical translation pricing?

To prepare an accurate quote for a professional translation, it is necessary to have important information about the original text to be translated, namely:

• How long it is  
• Into which language it must be translated  
• What the characteristics of the text are  
• Whether it is a text that requires certification  
• Whether a specific delivery date is required  
• Whether there are specific graphic reproduction requirements  
• Whether there are specific digital format requirements  

1. Text length

As everyone knows, a digital document is made up of several folders, and a standard folder in translation contains between 1,500 and 1,800 keystrokes. Keystrokes include letters, punctuation marks, special characters, and spaces. Generally, in every four folders, there are approximately 250 words. The choice of the appropriate unit of measurement for calculating a quote depends on the specific case but also on the agency. Typically, for very long documents, folders are considered. For short but complex documents, the number of words or even keystrokes in the text is considered. However, in general, the number of folders in the source text is the most influential factor in determining the price of a technical translation. Often, but not always, for a very high number of folders, a flat rate is chosen, but this is not an absolute rule because sometimes the text can be particularly difficult, requiring such effort that discounts cannot be offered.

2. How do language pairs affect translation rates?

In general, less common and widespread languages have higher costs due to the lower availability of qualified translators. For instance, a Spanish translation will require less resources it is a more common language and so the cost of the document translation or even the price of the translation itself will be lower than a more rare language like Lithuanian. There are more quality translations that could be made in this regard. 

The combination of source and target language significantly influences the price of a translation because of the difficulty in finding professional translators proficient in both languages. Clearly, a translation from Spanish to English will cost less than a translation from Spanish to Lithuanian. A translation agency like Espresso Translations has more native experts in common languages among its collaborators and fewer for rare languages. The latter command higher fees precisely because there are fewer of them. This, combined with the highly technical language often required in this sector, can drive up the final translation costs. The cost of document translation may change due to the professional translation cost because it would require more resources to deal with a rarer language that has a limited pool of talent. It’s nothing more than the law of the market and the translation industry understands this well. 

Furthermore, the cost of ensuring the quality of translations must also be considered, which is essential for the client to receive texts that are perfectly aligned with the original documentation, even when the target language is particularly complex. In this case too, proofreading by a second translator requires someone experienced in both the source and target languages to achieve the best possible translation. Qualified translation agencies like Espresso Translations also have proofreaders and editors within their staff, all reporting to the project manager to support in providing only the best amongst translation companies.

3. Are there different rates for different document types?

Another factor to consider when calculating the price for this type of translation is the industry, the related language, and the type of document. Sure, website translation is very popular, but to translate a document in regard to professional technical translation it would require the translation to need something more than what many a technical translation agency can provide. The translation of technical manuals in particular are probably more necessary in most cases than websites so it is imperative the technical documentation is virtually perfect. In the technical field, there are very specific sectors with particular terminology that the translator must know thoroughly to avoid errors. Errors paired with an incorrect translation can lead to mistrust which leads to disastrous consequences for individuals and companies alike. There are various types of documents that might need to be translated, for example:

– contracts  
– certifications  
– technical standards  
– publications  

Translating technical documents like the ones mentioned above is a heavy task. However, in the background of a technical translation company is the general audience they need to gather the information for. The target audience is very important: technical translations intended for professionals in the field will be more complex compared to translations meant for publication for a wider audience. This, of course, applies to every field, such as legal, medical, etc. But it also means that the translation requirements will become strained as their needs are that much more specific than other areas. The more specific and complex the type of text and language, the higher the cost of a professional translation. This is where translation memory can help an expert technical translation throughout the written process. Translation memory enables translators to translate more efficiently by storing sentences, paragraphs, etc. to be referenced. This cuts down the time in which a translator or translation can satisfy a client’s requirements. As mentioned before, a translation is often more expensive if a technical writer handles the translation in hourly rates. A complicated translation will cost more since the technical terms involved may take longer to translate. 

How is pricing determined for urgent translations?

When calculating the translation rate, any requests regarding delivery times must be taken into account. Our translators are accustomed to working at a fast pace, but those who need extra-fast delivery can rely on the express service, which, thanks to the use of additional resources, significantly shortens processing times. This, of course, has an additional cost.

Graphic requests and file format

It is not uncommon for requests to go beyond translation, such as requiring a specific graphic layout or providing a file with the translation formatted in a precise way. All these needs represent an additional cost for a full-service translation agency, while a freelance translator generally limits themselves to translating documents and does not offer additional services, or relies on other professionals.

Sworn translation

In some cases, the client requires a sworn or certified translation. It is a way to ensure that the technical document translation is authentic and legally accepted. In the United States that means a certified translation: the translator signs a Certificate of Translation Accuracy on company letterhead, and that certificate, attached to the translation and the original, is what agencies, courts and universities accept. Where the document is filed in a country that requires a sworn translation instead, a court-registered translator in that country swears to it, and we arrange that on request. In this case, in addition to the cost of the specialized translation, the cost of that procedure must also be added. Not to mention the cost of living because the area could raise the price itself to match local costs. The New York cost will vary wildly to Nebraska. Sometimes, however, a certified translation is requested, which bears the translator’s signature, stamp, and contact information. While this does not have legal validity, it is nevertheless accepted in many countries.

What are the average technical translation rates?

At this point, it should be clear what determines the cost of a technical translation and that the best way to get an exact answer from Espresso Translations is by filling out the contact form available on the homepage and submitting the documents to be translated. That said, here is an overview of the professional translation rates for technical documents depending on the chosen unit of measure:

• Per word: From $0.10 to $0.20 depending on the language, complexity, and word count of the text.
• Per page (up to 250 words): From $30, depending on complexity and turnaround.
• Per hour of work: From $40 to $100 — a unit used mainly for review, adaptation and on-site work rather than for written translation.

By multiplying the figure of the chosen unit of measure by its corresponding cost, you can get a rough idea of the expense. For example, translating a not particularly complex technical article of 1,000 words from English to Spanish would cost approximately $100. Obviously, this does not include any certification costs. For a quick and precise response, simply fill out the form on Espresso Translations and wait at most one hour.

What is the cost per word for technical translations?

Based on the average technical translation rates, the cost per word for technical translations with us at Espresso Translations ranges from $0.08 to $0.20 per word, depending on factors such as:

• The language pair (English to Spanish, Spanish to Russian, etc.)
• The complexity of the text provided
• The total word count

How is the cost of a technical translation worked out?

The cost of a technical translation is specifically worked out by taking looking into the exact size of the document, the level of complexity that is involved, the source and target locations , turn around time desired by the client, formatting requirements and lastly whether or not a certification is required and for what purpose and general location. All of these, including location, is important as they may skew the final price-line for the translation. 

Once you have contacted us at Espresso Translations, within the hour we will send you a quote of your request. The precise cost will be completely explained and will not change unless changes are made to the requirements of your original request. 

All translation of technical documentation will be assigned to one of our expert native speakers of the target language. One of which that has proficiency in the source language. An expert technical writer with advanced knowledge of the technical content at hand will also assist who is accompanied by a second linguist that is equally qualified, in order to handle proofreading the translation before sending it the designated project manager overseeing the assignment. This methodical process is completely covered by your payment, so we would not for any extra service fees. This is a sign of our promise of loyalty and dedication to the customers we work with to provide the highest quality technical translations.

How can I get a quote for technical translation services?

Obtaining a precise, detailed, and free quote is very simple: just fill out the contact form on the Espresso Translations homepage or send an email attaching the document in question. Moreover, it is important to specify all requirements regarding the target language, delivery deadlines, etc. When requesting a quote, the more detailed the request, the more detailed the response will be. Responding to everyone is part of Espresso Translations’ company policy.

Who to get technical documents translated by?

In the technical field, translation can only be carried out by those who can achieve a high level of linguistic and terminological quality. To work as a translator, the right qualifications are necessary, as well as proper experience and a certain aptitude for working with precision. To need translation, you need the ideal solution which is to rely on a language services agency like Espresso Translations, and boasts a team of collaborators with excellent credentials, offers a complete service, and is capable of meeting every need. Machine translation post-editing is not good enough and requires a professional translation services professional that has translation and localization at the palm of their hand and backed by Espresso Translations’ resources.

Also Read: What is the difference between technical and literary translation?