English French Translation: Free French Translator Price Guide - Part 2

This free French translator rate guide explains English French Translation pricing and how to sort out the price proposals you receive. This is Part 2 of the guide. Click here to go to Part 1 and view sample translator and agency prices. If you were looking for a free online French translator, click here.

Factors influencing French translation pricing

In addition to the number of words in the document, French translation prices depend on a variety of other factors. For example:

• The type of translation provider. Translation agencies generally charge higher rates than freelancer French translators. Even large agencies generally subcontract their translations to freelance translators, and sometimes also to freelance editors. They have to set client prices at a level that will cover these costs as well as their overhead expenses and still be profitable.
• The type of client. For instance, freelance translators may offer discounts to agencies in the hope of getting regular work.
• The difficulty of the translation. If the translation is highly technical or requires a specialist translator, that can increase the price.
• Translation size. Agencies and some freelance translators sometimes offer discounts for large projects. At the same time, minimum prices are frequently applied to very small translation orders.
• The type of service provided. Any service beyond English French translation, such as layout work, Web programming, or revision by an editor, is likely to be charged separately or to raise the total price.
• The experience and skills of the translator. An experienced translator or one who has developed a special subject matter expertise will often charge much higher rates than a beginner.

Price and quality

When comparing prices, it is important to take into account the relationship between price and quality. In our experience running a translation agency, we have found that the translators who perform best on a translation test are almost never the ones offering bargain rates. A higher price does not automatically mean higher quality. However, in our opinion, a price below market rate is a strong warning sign that something is not right.

In a freelance translator, a low price may indicate a lack of experience. The translator may be charging low rates because he or she has not yet built up a client list or does not feel confident in his or her work. In other cases, the low rate may mean that a translator has opted for quantity over quality and is churning out a large number of translations with too little care for each one.

However, we think that low prices are particularly worrisome in an agency. An agency charging below-market rates simply cannot make a profit while paying market rates to translators and editors. The math does not work out. If an agency is offering very low rates, you can be almost sure they are choosing low-cost translators and that they do not send translations to a separate editor.

Free French Translator Price Guide - More Resources

Click here for advice on reducing English French translation costs without risking quality.

Click here to go to a free French translator tool.

Click here to see all English French translation pages.

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