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What is your work process like? 

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After you have accepted the quotation, I proceed to translating.  This involves ensuring that equivalence is maintained all the way through, that the translation reads smoothly, with no source-text nuances omitted or distorted, and that the original content is communicated in full and error-free.  Once the first draft of the target text is complete, I switch to proofreading and editing.  This is a quality-control process whereby possible omissions, typos, contextual errors and stylistic imperfections are spotted and addressed.  As closing exercise, I take a final read to make sure the translation is as good as it can be. 

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What affects the cost?

 

There is a number of factors that impact on the cost, namely:

Volume: lengthier texts will cost more, but will be cheaper per word.

Language pair: a translation from French into Russian will cost more than that from English into Russian, where there are more professional translators available and rates are thus lower.

Timing:  the more time you can assign for a translation, the more you can save your costs. If you require urgent delivery, you will be asked to pay a surcharge.

Technicality and use: technical texts, i.e. that contain language requiring specialist knowledge, are more costly than more general ones. Texts intended for use within your organisation, e.g. for internal discussion or information purposes, require less effort to translate and can thus be provided at a lower price.

 

 

Does the quote cover everything?

 

Yes. The price quoted is the price you pay, save where you make changes to the document(s). Such changes are charged extra.

 

 

What format can I email my material in?

 

I work with most electronic formats, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, etc. I can also work immediately from paper or scanned documents, or from your website.

 

 

What is your daily capacity?

 

I will endeavour to actually work to your schedule.  As a guideline, I translate up to 2,500 words per day.  This may vary depending on the level of technicality of the original text, further research that needs to be conducted, and any specific requirements that you may have, e.g. consulting with provided reference materials.  Additional time will be taken to proofread a translation before delivery.  I work with you to agree a timeframe that meets your expectations, while guaranteeing, however, that I am able to produce an accurate translation for you.

 

 

What do you do to work quicker?

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By default, I use computer-aided translation (CAT) tools.  In certain subject areas, e.g. dispute resolution, where repetitions are absent or scarce, I rely on touch-typing and dictating.  To stay competitive and cater to urgent translation requests, I have embraced a touch-typing technique.  Where appropriate, I dictate translations using speech-recognition software.  True, it needs certain skill and takes an editing effort afterwards but generally speeds up turnaround.

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Do you translate into a foreign language?

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Yes.  It is conventional wisdom that linguists should work into their mother tongue because 100% natural expression can only be reached by native speakers.  However, some language professionals are near-bilinguals.  This is a skill gained through special schooling in foreign languaages, resulting higher education, multiple contacts with native-speaker countries and continuous practice as a professional translator.   

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Do you accept all types of material?

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No. I have been concentrating my efforts on legal and financial translation for more than 20 years, knowingly rejecting other material.  This is due to a number of considerations, such as intrinsic interest in these subject areas, employment at law and audit firms at the early stages in my career, professional training and self-development, etc.  In this vein, I do not commit to certain types of projects, e.g. school tests or household appliance manuals. 

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What does certified translation mean?

 

A certified translation is that which is either self-certified by a qualified translator declaring that he believes it to be a true and accurate translation of the original and by stating his credentials, or which is signed by a qualified translator in front of a notary public as being “true to the original”, with the notary public also adding his signature and official seal to prove it has been witnessed.

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How is confidentiality ensured? 

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All documents received from you are treated in strict confidence.  As an associate member of the Institute of Translation & Interpreting (ITI), UK, I have endorsed, and strictly comply with, the Professional Code of this professional organisation.  In terms of IT arrangements,  a protected e-mail inbox and licensed antivirus software add to overall data security.  In addition, I will be the only person doing the work, so your material will not go beyond my laptop.  Finally, I am prepared, upon your request, to sign a declaration on confidentiality and/or a non-disclosure agreement with you.  Hence, be assured that your content will be kept confidential all the way through.   

 

 

Can you issue formal invoices?

 

Yes.  I am registered as a private practitioner in Russia.  I can formally issue invoices and accept payment.

 

 

What methods of payment do you accept?

 

I accept payment by bank transfer and by credit card.

 

 

What is your time zone? 

 

My time zone is GMT+3 (Moscow, Russia).  

 

 

What are your working hours? 

 

My regular working hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  I prefer not to take new work beyond these hours but I can still deal with any work-related issues, e.g. producing quotations or reporting progress on current jobs. Under limited circumstances, I indeed can accept urgent assignments in the evening hours, but these will carry an urgency premium.  

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