Rates

The rates for translation projects depend on a number of factors:

• language combination
• volume
• technical level
• target group
• file formats of the original and target text
• number, complexity and format of graphics, tables etc.
• quality of the formatting of the original text
• technology needed
• special requests
  

• Price per word of the original text
• Price per word of the target text
• Price per line of the original text
• Price per line of the target text

I prefer the calculation in price per word of the original text, because:

• Prices are easier to compare: A word remains a word, no matter how long. Lines will often be calculated as 45 to 55 letters/signs per line, which makes it difficult for the client to compare prices.

• It is clearer and more straight-forward: Unlike a line, which can vary in length depending on page or paragraph format, a word cannot. Short or long lines can influence the line count in different ways, a fact that is irrelevant for a price per word. Furthermore, punctuation (which can cause a variation in prices of up to 3% when calculating lines) does not influence the price.

• It is international: Prices per word are about to become international standard, which enables the client to make an international choice on what supplier they would like to use based on price.