Why are your rates based on standard lines?
Due to the high frequency of long compound words in German, the difference in word count between a German translation and its English source text can be quite substantial, even if both are roughly the same length.
In English, for example, your job as manager of the central train station may require you to be a real jack of all trades. In German, however, you’re simply the Tausendsassa der Hauptbahnhofsverwaltung.
For that reason, German translations are traditionally billed per line. A standard line is defined as containing 50–55 characters (including spaces) and a standard page is made up of 30 standard lines or 1,500–1650 characters (including spaces). All of my guide prices are based on these definitions.
What’s the difference between translation and localization?
To use an imperfect analogy, a strict translation functions like a pair of glasses. It grants the reader access to something that would otherwise be inaccessible, but it is not quite the same thing as having naturally perfect vision. Many people who wear glasses tend to forget about them until they pass a mirror. A good translation works the same way: it should fade into the background to allow the reader to focus on the content of the translated text. But by preserving original names and other key features it will never sacrifice accuracy of meaning in an attempt to obscure its true origins.
A thorough localization, by contrast, gives the illusion of naturally perfect vision. It is a much more comprehensive approach that aims to recreate the reception of a text and its effect in a different cultural context. A fully localized text should not only be accessible to a foreign audience, but it should be indistinguishable from an original text in the target language.
In reality, most translations exist on a spectrum between these two ideals. Sometimes the form must change so that the meaning can be preserved. And sometimes the meaning must change so that the intended message can be preserved. A translator’s job is to strike the right balance.
If you are interested in a translation, feel free to let me know about any preferences you might have.
What’s the difference between editing, copyediting, and proofreading?
In simple terms, editing (a.k.a. substantive editing) tends to focus on the big picture. Typically, it’s the first step after the writing stage and it can entail significant changes to the content and structure of the original draft. A thorough edit ensures clarity and coherence.
Copyediting is, in a way, the most straightforward part of the text production process as it focuses primarily on form and readability. Structure and flow are still taken into account, but most major issues should have been resolved by this point.
Proofreading is the final step before publication. The fully edited text is polished to perfection and final formatting and typographical errors are eliminated. While it seems simple enough, it demands very close attention and an excellent eye for detail.
How does this all work?
When you request a quote for a project, no matter how big or small, I will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
Once we’ve discussed all the details and agreed on a price, I’ll get to work!
For private clients and for larger projects, I may ask you to sign a services agreement that summarizes the terms and conditions of your order.