Both businesses and ordinary people face the need to make a translation. However, when it comes to price, many people ask themselves: what is the cost of translation and is it possible to get a quality result without overpaying? In this article, we will consider the factors that influence pricing in a translation agency, and also give practical advice on how to save on translation without compromising quality.
Factors affecting the cost of translation in Ukraine
The cost of translation in a professional agency is formed from several components:
1. Language pair.
The cost of translation depends on the language from which and to which the translation is carried out. For example, translation from English to Ukrainian (and vice versa) is cheaper than from Ukrainian to Japanese or Arabic. This is due to the prevalence and complexity of the language
2. Volume of text.
Most translation agencies calculate the cost based on the number of standard pages or the number of characters (words) in the source text. The larger the volume, the higher the final cost. Discounts may apply for larger volumes.
3. Subject and complexity of the text
Translation of specialized texts, such as medical reports, legal contracts, technical instructions or scientific articles, will always cost more than translation of general topics.
4. Urgency of translation.
If you need a translation "for yesterday", be prepared to pay more. Urgent orders that require a translator to work outside working hours, on weekends or holidays are usually paid at a higher rate (often 25-100% higher than the standard rate).
5. Additional services.
In addition to the translation itself, you may need other services:
- Notarization. Required for official documents (passports, certificates, diplomas) to give them legal force abroad.
- Legalization or apostille. A procedure for recognizing a document in other countries.
- Localization. Adaptation of a website or software not only in terms of meaning, but also taking into account the cultural characteristics of the target audience.
How to save on translation in Ukraine without losing quality?
Saving on translation does not mean compromising and losing quality. Knowing the factors that determine the price, you can save money.
1. Plan ahead. Order your translation well in advance.
2. Determine what services you need. If you need documents for living or studying abroad, check with the host party about the requirements for them. It is cheaper to make a translation, put an apostille, and notarize the translation before the trip.
5. Choose a professional agency. Do not translate the texts yourself - such a translation will have many errors. Also, it is not always worth working with freelance translators, because one person cannot simultaneously translate legal and medical documents. Any errors cost money.
6. Compare offers. Not always the lowest price is what you need.
The cost of translation is not just a price per word, it is a fee for quality work. Understanding the factors that influence pricing and using our advice, you can get a quality translation without overpaying. The main thing is competent planning, clearly formulating your needs and choosing a reliable agency.
