What factors determine how much you pay?

The possibilities of what can be translated are almost endless.

Websites, software, legal texts, marketing copy, technical documentation, audio files, media formats, literary works, meetings, and conferences are just some of the content that can be translated from one language to another.

The number of languages – and more importantly, language pairs – that can be translated is also very high and runs to thousands.

This means that the cost of translation naturally varies between what is being translated and which languages are involved.

However, other factors must also be considered when calculating the price of a translation. Here is our list of the most important variables and how they influence the cost.

What affects how much you pay for a translation?

1. Length and format. The most basic variable for any translation is how long it is. The more source content, the more time it will take to translate. For straightforward documents, it is typical to charge per word, although there will be a minimum cost to cover the translator’s time and administrative expenses. Common, editable file formats like Word and PowerPoint are easier to work with than formats that can’t be overwritten. Less widely used file types can be costlier as they incur more work for the project manager or translator.
2. Complexity. It stands to reason that a source text with uncomplicated content will be less expensive to translate. These texts may also be suitable for machine translation. Complex subject matter that requires specialist knowledge will cost more because the translator’s expertise is highly valued. The number of qualified translators may also be scarcer. Technical, legal or healthcare documentation often falls into this category. These areas require meticulous translations and precise terminology, which can only be undertaken by a professional with specialist understanding.
3. The languages involved. The most commonly spoken languages have the most available translators and are most likely to be suited to machine translation. English, Chinese, Spanish, French, Hindi, Arabic and the resulting language pairs (Spanish/English, English/Chinese, Arabic/French etc.) all command a large number of qualified translators, making translation easier to come by. These languages also benefit from an established online presence making research materials and other resources easier to access. Translation in these languages can cost less than languages that are not as widely used or don’t benefit from the same digital footprint.
4. Localisation. Does your text need to be adapted to the intended audience? Some types of content will be more successful (i.e. they will have the planned effect on the people reading and watching) if they are customised to fit the new target market. This means changing the cultural specifics of the content so that the new audience feels it was created just for them. Images, currency, humour and branding are a few examples of what might be modified. Marketing or multimedia content, for example, will often benefit from being localised. Adding localisation to the translation process makes it more complex and costly. The results, however, are well worth the investment as localisation is known to increase market share and strengthen brand identity.
5. Timeframe. Need a translation yesterday? Then the fee could be higher. As in most business sectors, if something is required in a tight turnaround, the costs incurred will increase.
6. Added services. Sometimes a translation might require an add-on service. Certified translations, for example, can be provided by sworn translators or accredited language companies and give proof of an ‘official translation’. Once certified, these documents will then be recognised by the competent authorities. Proofreading or editing are additional services that reinforce the quality of a translation depending on its purpose. In some instances, a subject-matter expert can be called on to verify that all the translated text is accurate. Any extra step in the translation process is likely to alter the cost.
7. Technology. The influence of technology on the translation workflow is growing steadily. Language service providers and translators have a history of embracing new technology and using it to optimise their time to market. Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools help improve efficiency through translation memories, terminology databases and automatic translation. This latter field is currently undergoing significant change with the arrival of generative AI which is making machine translation more intuitive and reliable. If a text is suitable for machine translation it can be completed faster which will potentially reduce the costs involved.  

Translation companies are increasingly focused on automation in their processes. Translation management systems help cut down unnecessary human intervention by centralising the translation process in one place and customer portals give clients on-demand access to their language projects. These technologies enable an optimised workflow that permits language companies to deliver translations more quickly and consistently.

How are translations charged?

With so many variables, it follows that translation costs also differ considerably.

As stated above, in some cases a flat rate will be applied to each word in the source text giving a price directly related to the length of the text. This per-word rate will differ according to which languages are needed and the technical or specialist nature of the content. How far technology can be used to assist the translator will affect the cost too.

Other language services incur an hourly rate. Interpreting, subtitling, editing, proofreading and transcreation fall into this category. Here, the quality of the output is the priority, not the quantity of words or lines delivered.

Businesses that require regular language services may also set up a monthly retainer that gives them a priority relationship with a translation company. These agreements usually come with a maximum word count per month.

Top language service providers like t’works often provide online tools to help you get an idea of the price you’re likely to pay for your translation before you speak to the company directly. This helps you estimate the budget involved. The t’works tool can be accessed by clicking this link https://www.t-works.eu/en/online-calculator/

Quality is worth paying for

Professional translation providers like t’works invest in expert human linguists, experienced project managers and the best technology. They follow strict quality standards and adhere to tight data security controls and confidentiality practices. They prioritise customer satisfaction and clear communication channels. They will give you an honest assessment of the work involved in your language project and a price you can trust.

Only professional language services companies can guarantee translations that successfully meet your multilingual business objectives.

A poor-quality translation can be far more costly than the investment you make in first-rate language services. Nothing is more expensive than losing the confidence of your customers or investors.

At t’works, we’re always happy to talk to you about your language needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us via the link below.