On average I can translate approximately 2500 to 3500 words per day. Highly specialised texts require a great deal of background research and if your documents are discontinuous text they may take a little longer. I will always confirm a delivery date and time with you once I have received your document and we have agreed a price. I am conscious of the potential impact of any slippage in translation phase timings on global project schedules. It is therefore my policy to commit only to a deadline that I know is feasible and I will always strive to deliver ahead of the agreed schedule whenever possible – under-promise and over-deliver.

I offer a competitive pricing structure based on the size, complexity and urgency of your document. I charge translation jobs based on a rate in GBP or EUR per 1000 words of source (French or Spanish) text. If you do not have an editable electronic (soft) copy of your document or it is a non-editable PDF file, I will be happy to send you an estimate and then base the final price on the target (English) text word count. I charge proofreading and editing jobs based on an hourly rate: I will agree the rate with you and give you an estimate of the number of hours I will need before I start work.

I work using CAT tools on a daily basis (SDL Trados Studio and Star Transit NXT). In terms of raw files, I can translate Microsoft Office files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), HTML files and XML files. I can also translate the text content from FrameMaker, InDesign and QuarkXpress; you simply need to provide me with the relevant export/interchange format document (.idml from InDesign, using the Story Collector in Quark or an XML or MIF export from FrameMaker).

I can accept your document however you prefer to send it: by e-mail, on a CD/DVD, or as hard copy (printed on paper). Very large documents can be sent to me by file transfer (I have my own FTP site but I am also happy to use yours if this is easier for you).

Whichever way is most convenient for you. For expediency, I would normally return your document to you as a zipped or stuffed file via e- mail, but I could also return your translation as hard copy (printed on paper). Very large documents can be returned via file transfer. I will always agree with you how you would like your document to be returned to you when you place your request.

Ethically, professional translators should translate only into their mother tongue. To translate into a foreign language would in the majority of instances contravene the Code of Conduct of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting. If you have a document to be translated from English into French please contact me and I will do my best to help you find a qualified, professional colleague who is a French native speaker. Alternatively you could also try these useful directories; the Institute of Translation and Interpreting or the Chartered Institute of Linguists.

I pride myself on supplying a service that is as flexible as possible and will do whatever I can to meet your deadline whilst maintaining high quality standards. I will always be willing to work with you to find a solution: perhaps a summary, an abstract or an initial translation of the key sections of your document which I can then follow up with a full translation. Please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help.

I will be happy to sign your non-disclosure agreement or confidentiality agreement (subject to sight of the agreement). Project materials are retained then disposed of in accordance with GDPR legislation.

In short, I want to provide you with the best possible translation I can. It’s very useful to have access to supporting and background information, especially if your document is part of a larger set of materials. That way I can make sure I follow your house style, use any terms specific to your area appropriately and have a sound overview of the subject matter.

You might also find it helpful to read “Translation – Getting it Right. A Guide to Buying Translations”, which can be downloaded as an Adobe Acrobat PDF document from the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.