Information Required

To supply you with an accurate quotation

To supply you with an accurate quotation and subsequently a translation that suits your needs, please provide the following details if possible:

• Nature of text to be translated, e.g. legal, commercial, advertising.
• Target readership and proposed use of text, e.g. for marketing purposes, training etc...
• Approximate length of text in 1000's of words.
• Required deadline.
• Means of text delivery: email attachment, email, fax, surface mail, messenger.
• Software program used for source text, if applicable.
• By which means and in which format you wish to have the finished text delivered to you.
• Is there a house style to adhere to.
• Contact name and details.

Final quotation on sight of text.

Translation and Interpreting Charges

Below is an indication of my charges for translations from English into German and vice versa. To obtain a quotation for the translation project you have in mind, please contact me.

Cost of translation services for UK customers: From £50 per thousand words, minimum fee of £15. Discounts for texts with more than 5000 words and for orders by repeat customers. Preferential rates apply for private customers. Pre-payments may be agreed for larger assignments. There is no VAT payable in the UK.

Rates for other services, like interpreting, proof-reading etc., charged on an hourly or daily basis, plus expenses.

Rates for non-UK customers as above plus appropriate bank charges. Please contact me for a quotation.

Payments

We accept payment by cheque, BACS or PayPal. For other payment options please contact me.

7 Tips to ensure that you get the most cost effective translation

• Relevance - Look at the original document and decide how much of it is essential for the intended reader.
• Skilful use of illustrations, maps, diagrams - They may be more concise than any words.
• Allow enough time for the translation process - A rushed translation is never as good as a thoroughly researched one.
• Finalise your text, before you pass it on to the translator - Changes mean additional cost and increased likelihood of mistakes creeping in.
• Machine translations - They generally need human revision.
• Find a suitably qualified translator.
• Be prepared to answer justified queries by your translator - The better he understands the message you are trying to convey the better the result he can produce.

Turnaround Time

Documents of fewer than 500 words can usually be returned to you in less than 24 hrs. Average turnover of approximately 2000 words per day, up to 15 000 words per week for large projects. Text delivery can be by e-mail attachment, within an e-mail, fax, disc, hard copy by surface mail or messenger or summary by telephone. The cost of delivery per email is included in the quotation. Other modes of delivery will be charged for separately, please discuss your requirements when placing your order. We use Microsoft Office. The most common text formats requested include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Rich Text Format. Hardware: PC.

Legal Notices

Liability: We undertake all translations to our best knowledge and ability. However, we cannot exclude the possibility of misunderstanding part of a text which may result in a translation error, as language often is open to interpretation. We can therefore not be held liable for compensation for losses thus incurred. The amount of any compensation is limited to the value of the relevant order. We only accept liability if gross negligence or intent can be proven, liability for minor negligence will only be accepted if major conditions of the contract were breached. Complaints must be received within ten working days of delivery, if no complaints are received within this period acceptance of the work will be assumed. Acceptance of work implies acceptance of invoice.

Proof-Reading: I take great care in proof-reading my texts. However, it is always advisable to have a translation proofread by an independent native speaker, especially, if the text in question is intended for publication. Proofreading by a second person is only included in the cost of a translation if specifically requested by the Customer.

Payment: Invoices are payable within 30 days of the date of the invoice. If invoices are not paid within this period, I reserve the right to avail myself of the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 which entitles me to charge interest at 8% over the current base rate from the date of receipt of my invoice. Furthermore, I shall not hesitate to take non-paying customers to the Small Claims’ Court (which will affect their future credit ratings), if payment is not received within one week of the second (i.e. final) reminder. All costs incurred during the debt recovery process will be charged to the customer. I require prepayment by non-regular customers who live outside the EC.

Competent Courts of Jurisdiction and Applicable Law: Contracts between 1st Choice Translations and Customers shall be governed by English Law and enforced by the Devon competent courts of jurisdiction.

Link Liability Disclaimer: We cannot be held liable for the content of linked websites.

©2005 Ms Mechtild Testroet MCIL Dip Trans IoL BDÜ
 
English-German translator of most commercial texts; certification of birth, marriage and school leaver's certificates, divorce papers etc.
 
Tel +44 (0)1769 581823
Contact me