Simultaneous interpreting for meetings, international events, training courses
Escort Interpreting
Translation of documents, manuals, contracts, technical materials, websites
About translators and interpreters Written translation rates Interpreting rates
About translators and interpreters:
Interpreting is a freer, more spontaneous form of translation. Since a speaker often ad-libs, it's up to the interpreter to follow as faithfully as possible. A faithful rendition isn't always a literal rendition. The interpreter has to magic an equivalent to an expression typical of the original language and culture, not necessarily give the listeners the exact translation of all those words. But he or she has to keep up the same spirit, the same graveness, the same technique, or the same humor. Even the same rhyme sometimes! Concentration reaches its peak in interpretation. You may even get the impression that the interpreter can read the speaker's mind. This happens because a well-prepared interpreter, fluent in his work languages, almost impersonates the speaker, by saying what the speaker says in another language (almost) at the same time.
Written translation not only permits, it actually requires, more extensive research. If a translator doesn't know this word or another, he/she has to look it up in a dictionary, often several dictionaries. He/she often needs to look up in written or virtual glossaries - the Internet, no doubt, comes in quite handy! - and if he/she can't find what he/she is looking for, consult other translators and specialists in the area in question. Revising, which has no place in interpretation, is crucial to translation. A responsible translator proofreads and revises the text several times before delivering his/her job to the client.
It is very important that translators and interpreters keep glossaries in specific areas, adding new terms to them after every new assignment, and exchange notes with colleagues. It is also very important that clients provide the translators and interpreters they hire with every possible material they may need, so that they can prepare in the best possible way, settling any doubts beforehand, to make sure they produce top quality work.
And, last but not least, both translators and interpreters need to love their work. The job of translating and interpreting is very demanding - a lot more than it may seem!
So if you need a translator or an interpreter, don't improvise. A bad translation may harm you or your company, since it could distort the message you want to convey. Call a qualified professional, someone who really belongs in the field, an experienced, honest professional who is ready to help turn your event into a real success.
Written translation rates* (in U.S. dollars):
We charge $0.12 per word, depending on the text (and also exchange rates!). Rush fees are accordingly higher.
For a 2-language, 2-interpreter assignment in Brazil -- São Paulo area:
- $700.00 per interpreter per day of up to 6 hours, excluding meal time.
- $175.00 per additional hour/interpreter.
- A "coordination fee" (finder's fee) of between 5% and 10% of the grand total is paid to the chief interpreter (coordinating fee.)
- Lunch (or dinner) hours are deducted, but coffee breaks are not.
Please note that a simultaneous interpreter working on his/her own gets a full fee -- $700 -- to work up to one hour (max) a day. If, however, this period is extended, overtime will be calculated after every 15 minutes, and charged as an extra hour ($175).
If the interpreter is required to travel, other calculations and arrangements will have to be made. Please contact us by e-mail or phone. We will be happy to send you an estimate!
*Rates effective in 2008.
++++++++Site updated August 1, 2008.++++++++
**For Heloisa Velloso's résumé, please click HERE.