Quotation

My fee is based on the number of lines in the finished translation, which may be different from the line count in the original text. I am therefore happy to provide you with a free (non-binding) quotation without obligation. Just send me the text that you would like to have translated. In the case of lengthier documents (15+ pages) that are available on paper only, please send a few pages that are roughly typical of the document.

Translation

I am an expert at producing linguistically and technically correct translations in accordance with your instructions. I also ensure that terminology is consistent throughout large documents or in follow-up jobs. I can provide a certified translation for documents required for government agencies or official purposes (such as founding a foreign subsidiary, emigration, overseas job or study applications, and foreign court proceedings or marriage).

Delivery

Sending me the text

You can send me your text by e-mail as an attachment, fax, post or courier service. Non-business customers are welcome to deliver and collect their documents and translations in person. Copies of documents must be legible. Documents for which a certified translation is required may also be sent to me as scanned-in files.

Delivery to you

I deliver translated texts to meet your requirements - for instance, by e-mail in all major software formats, fax, post, or courier service.

Prices

You are invoiced according to the number of lines in the translated text. I agree a price per line with you beforehand based on the subject matter and degree of difficulty, and on the basis that a line comprises 50 to 55 characters. I am happy to provide a quote for rush jobs and for projects where I am required to work during evenings or weekends or on public holidays- such jobs may attract a surcharge from 10% and up to 50%. As line prices (see also Line) vary depending on specialist subject and degree of complexity or research requirements, please ask for a Quotation.

Prices are always quoted net, i.e. VAT is always added to the price.

FAQ – Everything you need
to know about translation

• Certified translation
  (in North Rhine-Westphalia: “bescheinigte Übersetzung”)

A 'certified translation' is often required for official purposes. This is a translation which is certified as being correct and complete and a true translation of the original text or document through being signed and sealed by a sworn translator. For certified translations, it is best to give me the original document or a certified true copy of the same because I am obliged by the court to specify in the certified translation what type of document was presented to me.

• Deadlines

If I agree a specific deadline, unless otherwise agreed this is defined as up to 17.00 hours on the agreed date.

• Fee

Charges for translations in Germany are normally based on the line price (Line) plus the statutory rate of value added tax.

• Interpreting

… is the oral translation of the spoken word from one language into another. I concentrate on translation so do not offer interpreting services, but I may be able to recommend a colleague.

Specialist translations and certification

• Certified translation

A certified translation is often required for official purposes. It is a translation whose accuracy, completeness and conformity with the source text or original document presented are confirmed by a qualified translator with a round stamp and signature. The original document or a certified copy should be provided for this purpose. The translator must always specify which document served as the basis for the translation.

• Line

Translations are charged by the line of translated text. The number of lines in the final translation can differ greatly from the number of lines in the source text. For invoicing purposes, a line comprises 50-55 characters. All characters in the translated text are counted and spaces count as characters.

• Mother Tongue

No one can ever attain the standard of a competent native speaker in a second language. The best translations are always done by a professional linguist translating into his or her mother tongue. For this reason, I only ever translate into my own language.

• Prices

As line prices (see also Line) vary depending on specialist subject and degree of complexity or research requirements, please ask for a Quotation.

• Quotation

Does not cost you anything (and equally is not binding for me). For lengthier texts only available on paper, a quotation can only be reasonably accurate if I receive a few specimen pages because factors such as font size and line spacing can vary greatly from one document to the next (see also Line). Please note that, unless otherwise stated, the estimated cost is the net price, to which the statutory rate of value added tax is added (currently 19%).

• References, certificates (birth, marriage etc.)

I format your translated documents as closely to the original as possible i.e. I try to keep the same font type and size, page spreads and layout. In the case of certificates, please note that letterhead details, texts used for stamps, seals and signatures also have to be translated or mentioned in the translation as such characteristics authenticate the document.

• Surcharges

I may charge 10-50% extra for rush jobs and where I am required to work during evenings or weekends or on public holidays.

• Translation.

… is the art of transforming a written text in the source language into a written text in the target language.