How much does a French to English translation cost?

All fees are calculated based on a number of factors. These include the complexity of the text, the amount of background reading and research required, the quality of the source document, desired delivery date, as well as time spent on proofreading and quality assurance. I therefore offer a project rate, rather than a per word or per line rate. When you send me your text, I will review it and prepare a quote based on the above factors.

​

Do you translate from any other languages?

I personally only translate from French to English. However, I work with a pool of highly-skilled professionals who translate in and out of a wide range of different languages, including Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese and Polish. Get in touch to see if I can help get your translation project off the ground.

 

How long will it take to translate my text from French to English?

As no two texts are alike, this will depend entirely on the complexity of the content, including such factors as the amount of creative input involved, and the terminology and content research necessary for producing an accurate and faithful translation. We can agree on a deadline once I have carried out a full review of your text.

 

Why can't I just use Google Translate or some other online tool?

Whilst it may seem tempting to simply feed your text through an online machine translation tool like Google, in doing so you will be seriously compromising on both quality and accuracy. In fact, the time and money you will inevitably have to spend on putting the text right and repairing the damage done will ultimately represent a considerable waste of resources. Such tools fall short when it comes to transferring the subtle nuances of the implicit meaning in a given text, particularly when the emphasis is on creativity and expression. Only a human translator can provide the sort of quality and command of language needed to reflect the intentions of the source text author. So why take the risk? Invest in a professional translator and it will pay dividends.

 

What happens if I need an urgent French to English translation?

Sometimes unforeseen circumstances mean you need to get your text translated ASAP. Where reasonable, I am more than happy to help out in a tight spot to ensure you get your message across without delay. Depending on your desired deadline, I normally ask for a 25-50% surcharge, particularly if this involves working during the evening or at weekends. Feel free to get in touch if you need a translation with a fast turnaround.

 

And the big one: will ChatGPT replace professional translators?

Absolutely not. And here's why:

1. Nuances of language: languages are incredibly nuanced. The work of a professional French to English translator (or of any translator or interpreter, for that matter!) is not just about converting words from one language to another. Words carry cultural, historical, and regional variations that require human translators' deep understanding to convey meaning accurately. Slang, idioms, and context can easily be lost in machine translation, potentially leading to miscommunication.

2. Contextual understanding: ChatGPT and other AI models lack the capacity to fully comprehend context. They may struggle with disambiguating words with multiple meanings or adapting translations for specific industries. Human translators are trained to navigate these complexities and provide translations tailored to the situation.

3. Emotion and creativity: translation is not about words; it's about what the words are about. Human translators can capture the tone, intent, and subtleties of a message. They can adapt content to resonate with a particular audience, something that machines often struggle with.

4. Language evolution: languages are not static; they evolve with time. Slang and colloquialisms change rapidly, and new words and expressions emerge. Human translators can adapt to these shifts much quicker than AI models, which may require substantial retraining.

5. Ethical and cultural considerations: professional translators play a crucial role in bridging cultural gaps and respecting ethical considerations. They can navigate potentially sensitive or controversial subjects and ensure that translations are culturally appropriate, a facet that AI may overlook.

​

And that's why we professional translators can breathe a sigh of relief, ignore the hype and plough on with what we do best. Our jobs are safe and futureproof!

​

For more information on how to find a professional French to English translator, check out the ITI's Guide to Buying Translation

​

A

​

​