Since 23 Aug 2010, I have suspended my professional activity as a translator in order to undergo training in a different job. It is possible that I will resume my translation work on a part-time basis in 2012 after the summer; there may, however, not be any decision on that before 2012. All I can offer you at this point, thus, is to come back to this Website to check in 2012.

I perform translations in the medical field from English into German. Specific needs (such as a special layout, a specific form of delivery, a specific file format etc.) can potentially be catered for – please inquire.

The price of a translation depends on its complexity, on the purpose of the translation, and on the extent of terminology research, if necessary.

Just in case you might be wondering why in the translations industry, we use this schematic method of charging by text length, or you want to understand how exactly the text length is determined, I have written an explanation, which, as I hope, clarifies both points in detail (be warned, however, that the subject is not exactly fascinating – still, you do not need to read the whole of it).

2. Proofreading/Editing

I will check third-party translations and other German medical texts for correct terminology and linguistic accuracy. Whenever I think this is possible, I will also make suggestions on how to improve readability. Texts can be returned fully corrected, with suggestions for corrections, or both.

Proofreading is usually charged by the hour, but I also offer prices based on the text length (expressed as a percentage of what a translation of the same text would cost; see below.). This is perhaps a little more transparent because the text length is clear in advance.

3. Terminology Work

Human knowledge is constantly growing in most fields, and medicine is by no means an exception. As a result, new concepts and terms keep coming into use that cannot be looked up in any dictionary. This is why a working field for translators called terminology work is becoming increasingly important. It may be loosely described as the compilation of small, ‘specialised dictionaries’ (today, of course, in electronic form), using a certain methodology.

Invisible to you, translators will do terminology work now and then, to clarify single concepts or terms for a translation they are working on.

I also offer, however, terminology work as a stand-alone service, i.e. I will deliver custom-tailored terminological collections. The price range for this service is enormously wide (see below) because it covers anything between a simple glossary and a full-blown terminological database. The former is rather low-cost, but to set up a database takes considerable effort and is therefore charged a great deal more. It is, however, also a great deal more valuable and versatile as a source of information. In between those two extremes, intermediate forms are conceivable and can be realised according to your needs.

Each text has to be assessed individually, but as a rough guide, an average text is translated at a rate of 1,500 – 2,500 words per day. Proofreading will require between one eighth and half the time.

		€	$	£
●	Translations:
	per word	0.12–0.18	0.14–0.22	0.10–0.15
	per standard line (55 char.)	1.00–1.50	1.20–1.80	0.85–1.25
●	Proofreading/editing	12 to 50% of the above, or:
	hourly rate	35.00	42.50	29.00
●	Terminology work (per concept/term):	5.00–50.00	6.00–60.00	4.20–42.00

Rates were last updated on 5 June 2010, and USD and GBP rates are subject to change according to international exchange rates. VAT, where applicable, as well as any expenses, such as money transfer fees, are not included and may have to be added.