TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Chuck Simms asked for a ballpark estimator for translation costs. Here
in Montreal, costs average $0.20 (Canadian dollars) per word for
technical translations; some contractors also try to charge by the
hour, and I've seen estimates ranging from $20 to $60 per hour, with
rumors of higher rates for obscure subjects. If you can, try to find a
contractor who will settle for a cost per word basis; this is more
predictable than cost per hour, which can lead to serious over-runs if
the translator runs into difficulty.
Don't forget to budget for an edit/review of the draft the contractor
submits. Just as with writers, translators can't evaluate the quality
of their own work. (I speak as writer, editor AND translator, so I
know whereof I speak.)
--Geoff Hart #8^{)} <--- wearer of three hats, but one head
geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca
Disclaimer: If I didn't commit it in print in one of
our reports, it don't represent FERIC's opinion.
